The Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants matchup opened the 2026 NFL regular season with a 28-20 Giants victory at MetLife Stadium on September 13, 2026. New York controlled the game for long stretches behind quarterback Jaxson Dart, running back Cam Skattebo, and tight end Isaiah Likely. Dallas produced two second-half touchdowns but could not get another possession after its final score.
Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards. Likely caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while Skattebo contributed 81 rushing yards and a touchdown. For Dallas, Dak Prescott finished with 175 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Javonte Williams scored twice, once on the ground and once through the air.
Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants |
| Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium |
| Location | East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| Competition | NFL Regular Season, Week 1 |
| Final Score | Giants 28, Cowboys 20 |
| Cowboys Record | 0-1 |
| Giants Record | 1-0 |
| Game Time | Sunday Night Football |
The Giants entered the matchup under new head coach John Harbaugh, while Dallas began its season with high expectations. New York quickly established control through an efficient passing attack and a physical running game. The Giants ultimately finished with 394 total yards, compared with 244 for Dallas, while also holding the ball for 36:40.
Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The Giants scored in every quarter and built a 14-7 halftime advantage. Dallas answered with touchdowns in the second and third quarters, but New York added another touchdown in each of the final two periods to maintain its lead.
| Quarter | Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 0 | 7 |
| Q2 | 7 | 7 |
| Q3 | 7 | 7 |
| Q4 | 6 | 7 |
| Final | 20 | 28 |
New York’s opening touchdown came after a 10-play, 83-yard drive. Skattebo finished the possession with a rushing touchdown after Dart helped extend the drive with his legs. Dallas responded in the second quarter when Prescott connected with CeeDee Lamb for a touchdown.
The Giants then regained momentum before halftime when Dart found Likely in the end zone. After the break, another Dart-to-Likely touchdown increased New York’s lead to 21-7. Dallas answered with a long touchdown drive, but the Giants responded again before the Cowboys scored their final touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Dak Prescott Player Stats
Dak Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His completion rate was 64.7%, while his passer rating was 84.8. He also rushed twice for 14 yards.
| Passing Statistic | Dak Prescott |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 22/34 |
| Completion Rate | 64.7% |
| Passing Yards | 175 |
| Yards per Attempt | 5.1 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 84.8 |
| Rushing Attempts | 2 |
| Rushing Yards | 14 |
Prescott found Lamb for Dallas’ first touchdown and later connected with Williams for a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. However, his second-quarter interception gave New York another opportunity before halftime.
The Cowboys offense struggled to generate consistent explosive plays. Dallas finished with only 244 total yards, including 175 passing yards and 69 rushing yards. The Giants’ defensive pressure and ability to limit Dallas possessions contributed to the offensive struggles.
Jaxson Dart Player Stats
Jaxson Dart produced an efficient performance in his season opener. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His passer rating reached 134.2, and he added 54 rushing yards on 11 attempts.
| Passing Statistic | Jaxson Dart |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 23/29 |
| Completion Rate | 79.3% |
| Passing Yards | 230 |
| Yards per Attempt | 7.9 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 134.2 |
| Rushing Attempts | 11 |
| Rushing Yards | 54 |
Dart’s mobility added another dimension to the Giants offense. His 22-yard run during the opening scoring drive helped New York move into Dallas territory, and he later contributed another strong rushing performance while continuing to make accurate throws.
His three touchdown passes all helped establish New York’s control. Two went to Likely, while the Giants also used their running game and short passing attack to keep the Dallas defense moving.
Cowboys Rushing Player Stats
Dallas struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack. The Cowboys produced 69 rushing yards overall, with Javonte Williams leading the team with 41 yards on 12 carries. He also scored one rushing touchdown.
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Yards/Carry | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javonte Williams | 12 | 41 | 3.4 | 1 |
| Dak Prescott | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 |
| Emari Demercado | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 |
| Hunter Luepke | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Williams became one of Dallas’ most important offensive contributors. His first touchdown came on a one-yard rushing play in the third quarter, helping Dallas reduce the deficit to 21-14. He later caught a 17-yard touchdown from Prescott in the fourth quarter.
Despite those contributions, Dallas averaged only 3.8 yards per carry. The Giants’ defensive front consistently limited the Cowboys’ running lanes and forced Dallas to rely more heavily on Prescott.
Giants Rushing Player Stats
New York’s rushing attack was more productive, finishing with 165 yards and an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Cam Skattebo led the Giants with 81 yards and a touchdown, while Dart added 54 yards himself.
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Yards/Carry | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Skattebo | 18 | 81 | 4.5 | 1 |
| Jaxson Dart | 11 | 54 | 4.9 | 0 |
| Devin Singletary | 6 | 16 | 2.7 | 0 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 |
Skattebo’s opening-quarter touchdown gave New York an early lead. His 81 rushing yards also helped the Giants maintain possession and put pressure on the Dallas defense.
Dart’s rushing ability was equally important. His 54 yards made him the Giants’ second-leading rusher, and his mobility allowed New York to create additional first downs when passing opportunities were limited.
Receiving Player Stats
The receiving battle featured strong performances from both teams, but Isaiah Likely became the most productive touchdown receiver. He finished with eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | 5 | 44 | 1 |
| Javonte Williams | Cowboys | 5 | 31 | 1 |
| George Pickens | Cowboys | 3 | 28 | 0 |
| Ryan Flournoy | Cowboys | 2 | 22 | 0 |
| Brevyn Spann-Ford | Cowboys | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| Luke Schoonmaker | Cowboys | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Jonathan Mingo | Cowboys | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| KaVontae Turpin | Cowboys | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Jake Ferguson | Cowboys | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Isaiah Likely | Giants | 8 | 78 | 2 |
| Malik Nabers | Giants | 6 | 69 | 0 |
| Darnell Mooney | Giants | 2 | 27 | 0 |
| Malachi Fields | Giants | 2 | 25 | 0 |
| Devin Singletary | Giants | 4 | 22 | 1 |
| Theo Johnson | Giants | 1 | 9 | 0 |
CeeDee Lamb led Dallas with five receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown. Williams also caught five passes and scored through the air. George Pickens added three receptions for 28 yards.
For New York, Likely repeatedly gave the Dallas defense problems. Malik Nabers also made a significant contribution in his return to regular-season action, recording six receptions for 69 yards.
Isaiah Likely and Cam Skattebo Highlights
Isaiah Likely was one of the central figures in the Giants’ victory. His eight receptions produced 78 yards, and two of those catches resulted in touchdowns. Dallas struggled to consistently cover him, particularly during key moments before and after halftime.
Skattebo also played an important role. His 81 rushing yards came on 18 carries, and his opening-quarter touchdown established the Giants’ first lead. New York used his running production alongside Dart’s mobility to keep the Cowboys defense under pressure.
The Giants’ ability to combine Dart’s passing, Skattebo’s rushing, and Likely’s receiving production created a balanced offensive attack. New York finished with 394 total yards and controlled the game clock for more than 36 minutes.
Team Comparison and Game Statistics
The overall numbers show how effectively New York controlled the matchup. The Giants gained 394 total yards compared with 244 for Dallas. They also had a major advantage in possession time, holding the ball for 36:40 compared with 23:20 for the Cowboys.
| Team Statistic | Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 244 | 394 |
| Passing Yards | 175 | 229/230 |
| Rushing Yards | 69 | 165 |
| Points | 20 | 28 |
| Time of Possession | 23:20 | 36:40 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 3 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Final Record After Game | 0-1 | 1-0 |
The difference in rushing production was particularly important. New York gained 165 rushing yards, while Dallas managed only 69. The Giants also stayed on the field longer, which limited the number of opportunities available to Prescott and the Cowboys offense.
Dallas did create some momentum after halftime. The Cowboys scored on both of their second-half possessions, but they never received the ball after Williams’ late touchdown. New York used the final 5:16 of the game clock to close out the victory.
Final Score and Key Takeaways
The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 in the opening week of the 2026 NFL season. Dart’s 230 passing yards and three touchdowns led the Giants offense, while Likely added two receiving touchdowns. Skattebo contributed 81 rushing yards and a rushing score.
Dallas received two touchdowns from Williams, including one rushing score and one receiving score. Prescott threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns but also committed one interception. Lamb caught five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
The biggest statistical difference came from total offense and time of possession. New York produced 394 yards and controlled possession for 36:40, while Dallas finished with 244 yards and held the ball for 23:20.
The game also highlighted the Giants’ young offensive core. Dart, Nabers, and Skattebo all contributed, while Likely provided the touchdown production. NFL.com’s Week 1 recap noted that the victory marked only New York’s third win over Dallas in the previous 19 meetings.
Conclusion
The Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants matchup delivered a competitive NFC East rivalry game to open the 2026 season. New York built an early advantage and maintained it through an efficient passing attack, productive rushing game, and strong time-of-possession numbers. The Giants ultimately finished with 28 points and 394 total yards in the victory.
Jaxson Dart was at the center of the Giants’ offensive performance, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards. Isaiah Likely produced eight catches, 78 yards, and two touchdowns, while Cam Skattebo contributed 81 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Dallas showed some offensive improvement after halftime, but the Cowboys could not overcome New York’s control of the game. Prescott finished with 175 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Javonte Williams scored twice. The Giants’ 28-20 victory gave John Harbaugh a win in his first regular-season game as New York’s head coach.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants game?
The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 on September 13, 2026, at MetLife Stadium.
2. What were Jaxson Dart’s stats against the Cowboys?
Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 54 yards on 11 attempts.
3. How many yards did Dak Prescott throw for?
Dak Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating was 84.8.
4. Who led the Giants in receiving?
Isaiah Likely led New York with eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Malik Nabers followed with six catches for 69 yards.
5. How many rushing yards did the Giants have?
The Giants produced 165 rushing yards, led by Cam Skattebo’s 81 yards and Jaxson Dart’s 54 yards.
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