Cowboys look for win after loss to Giants

By Josh Ortega

The NFL is officially back. This week, all 32 teams were in action during the first week of the 2026/27 NFL season. The Dallas Cowboys opened the season on the road, facing the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In the Meadowlands, Dallas was handed a 28-20 loss to the new-look Giants for the first time since 2012 in a season opening game.

Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke after the loss. “I thought overall as a football team we were pretty poor,” Schottenheimer said after the game. “Just give Coach Harbaugh and his team a bunch of credit. They were the more physical team tonight; that’s certainly not our standard. That’s certainly not how we see our identity playing. They shoved us around in the running game, and we couldn’t get the running game going on offense. Situationally, they were outstanding. They did a really good job of keeping the ball away from us in the second half.”

The second-year head coach continued: “We got humbled tonight, and that’s what I told the guys. We lost mile one of a 17-mile marathon and we have to be better. We will be better. The only way to do that is to get back to work.”

Both teams found themselves neck and neck for the majority of the game. The Giants struck first during their first offensive possession when second year running back Cam Skattebo rushed into the end zone from three yards out untouched to put New York 7-0. Early cracks in the Cowboys’ defense showed areas of exploitation the Giants could take advantage of. Many times the Dallas defense was caught in the wash during run play early in the game, where the misdirection and extra blockers in New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Matt Naggy’s scheme helped the Giants churn out yardage in the ground game.

After a series of punts from both teams, Dallas eventually equalized midway through the second quarter. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott connected with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from a yard out for Dallas’ first touchdown of the game after starting the drive from their own 15-yard line. Multiple penalties from New York, including two pass interference calls that put the Cowboys on the doorstep of the Giants’ end zone. Where the game was tied it up 7-7 with six minutes remaining before halftime.

Nevertheless, despite the overall defensive struggles throughout the game, the next defensive series saw first-year Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker’s defense make a plethora of plays. The Dallas defense forced two fumbles and a sack in the Giants’ second offensive drive before the end of the quarter. First-round pick in 2026 defensive back Caleb Downs forced a fumble that was recovered by the Giants. The very next play, the defense again forced the football out when former defensive tackle Quinnen Williams forced a fumble on Giants running back Tyrone Tracy to get Dallas the football back going into the final two minutes.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, despite getting the turnover, Dallas would have their own miscue just moments later. On the next drive, Prescott was intercepted by Giants safety Jevon Holland while trying to throw the ball out of bounds. 

The turnover would prove costly as New York Giants second year quarterback Jaxon Dart drove his offense downfield, picking apart the Dallas defense. Dart would eventually find his tight end Isaiah Likely for a 15-yard score on another busted play for the Cowboys defense to put New York ahead 14-7 heading into halftime. 

“The interception at half? That was crucial, trying to throw the ball away,” Prescott said. “That guy [Holland)]made a hell of a play. I gotta make sure it’s out of bounds though. I was surprised. One I want back obviously. I think that was a huge point in the game.”

Coming out of the locker room, the Giants would complete the double dip to start the second half as Dart and the offense drove downfield where the second-year quarterback out of Ole Miss connected with Likley again for his second score of the game. Dallas would respond with its own rapid scoring drive capped off by running back Javonte Williams getting into the end zone from a yard out to keep the Giants’ lead at a score.

In the fourth quarter, New York added to the scoreboard. An eight-minute Giants drive saw the offense exploit voids in the Cowboys’ defense, which saw Giants running back Devin Singletary get into the end zone. Right after, Dallas would get its own scoring drive, with Williams scoring on a passing play for his second touchdown of the game. Williams was called for taunting. The penalty proved costly as Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed the extra point from 15 yards further out.

The Giants were able to manage the clock and again churn out yardage, gashing the Dallas defense. New York held Dallas to just two offensive possessions in the second half and did have a turnover in the final half of play as the Giants held onto to secure the win. 

 A loss in game one rarely determines how a season will play out for any NFL team. The Cowboys mistakes proved costly Sunday night against the Giants. Dallas will look to get into the win column this week when the team returns home to face the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium Sunday at 2:30 p.m.