The New York Giants started their 2026 season with a win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. New York beat Dallas 28-20 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The win moved the Giants to 1-0 and dropped the Cowboys to 0-1. This marked John Harbaugh's first game as head coach of the Giants. Harbaugh had spent the previous 18 seasons as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens and won a Super Bowl with the team. Harbaugh expressed pride in his team’s effort after the game. He praised players for their commitment and willingness to bounce back from mistakes.
The Giants outpaced the Cowboys in rushing yards during the match, according to ESPN. New York ran for 165 yards compared to Dallas’s 69. Harbaugh had emphasized building a strong and physical team from the start. His team also focused on disciplined play in key situations. New York also controlled the ball for 36 minutes and 40 seconds, according to Reuters. The Giants ran out the final 5:16 of the game without giving Dallas another possession.
Players celebrated Harbaugh's first win with enthusiasm after the game. Harbaugh said he felt proud and grateful after Giants president and CEO John Mara presented him with a game ball. He shared a memory from his father, who also coached at Western Kentucky. Harbaugh recalled that his father always told him the most recent win was the best win.
Running back Cam Skattebo led the Giants in rushing yards. He gained 81 yards on the ground during the contest. Skattebo said the team executed the game plan effectively. The team followed Harbaugh’s strategy from the beginning of the season. They emphasized punishing opponents and using play-action passes. Skattebo also scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter.
Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 54 yards and finished with a 134.2 passer rating. Tight end Isaiah Likely caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Singletary caught Dart's other touchdown pass. Quarterback Jaxson Dart spoke highly of Harbaugh’s leadership. Dart said the players trust Harbaugh completely. He added that the team believes in Harbaugh’s approach to every game.
Safety Jevon Holland intercepted Dak Prescott late in the first half. The Giants turned that takeaway into a touchdown 29 seconds later. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott finished 22 of 34 for 175 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Cowboys were limited to just two possessions in the second half.
The players were eager to give Harbaugh his first win with the Giants. They felt proud of their performance and committed to the team’s identity. The Giants have now beaten Dallas in two straight meetings after losing 16 of the previous 17. The victory was seen as a strong start for Harbaugh's tenure. It showed that the team was ready to follow his vision. New York will visit the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Sept. 21