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New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season

NFL: Harbaugh’s Giants knock off the Cowboys on opening night

Dart runs the show in Harbaugh’s first night

The Giants forced a three-and-out on the opening series and marched 83 yards in ten plays to answer it. That set the tone for a 28-20 win over Dallas overnight, John Harbaugh’s first result as head coach in New York.

Jaxson Dart finished 23 of 29 for 230 yards and three touchdowns, adding 54 yards on the ground. He absorbed a late hit along the sideline that drew a flag and brought his teammates running. He kept throwing. Isaiah Likely, who spent his first four seasons catching passes from Harbaugh’s Baltimore quarterbacks, led all receivers with eight catches for 78 yards and both of his touchdowns came in the red zone.

Malik Nabers played his first game since a torn ACL and meniscus ended his Week 4 last season, taking six receptions for 69 yards. Cam Skattebo, back from a broken ankle, scored, delivered his backflip, and ground out 81 rushing yards. Odell Beckham logged 11 snaps and ran seven routes in his first Giants appearance since December 12, 2018, without seeing a target.

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Dallas opens a big season with nothing

The Cowboys spent the offseason talking about a Super Bowl. They spent Sunday night under 200 yards of offense until deep into the fourth quarter. Dak Prescott threw for 175 yards and two scores with an ugly interception. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens each dropped catchable balls. When Dallas finally cut it to one score, Javonte Williams drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty celebrating his touchdown catch.

New York then closed it out the way the 2025 team never could. Dart hit Likely for 12 yards on third-and-9, Likely moved the chains again later on the drive, and Skattebo picked up the last first down needed. Those Giants blew five fourth-quarter leads a year ago.

A rivalry number worth keeping

New York has now beaten Dallas three times in their last 19 meetings. This was the twelfth Week 1 fixture between the two, and only the second the Giants have won.

Harbaugh’s final year in Baltimore ended with five one-score defeats and three squandered fourth-quarter leads, the first of them a 41-40 Sunday night loss to Buffalo in last September’s opener. Twelve months on, his new team held the lead and the ball.

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