Final2026 Week 1

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants, Week 1 2026

Dallas Cowboys

Away

20

New York Giants

HomeWon

28

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cowboys077620
Giants777728

DAL 20NYG 28 Final

  • Passing leader

    Jaxson Dart

    NYG · QB

    26.6PPR pts

    23/29, 230 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Isaiah Likely

    NYG · TE

    27.8PPR pts

    8 REC, 78 YDS, 2 TD

  • Cowboys leader

    Javonte Williams

    DAL · RB

    24.2PPR pts

    12 ATT, 41 YDS, 1 TD, 5 REC, 31 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Jevon Holland

    NYG

    1 INT, 2 TKL

Giants 28, Cowboys 20: New York beats Dallas

New York led 14–7 at halftime and outscored Dallas 14–13 after the break to win 28–20. The Giants finished with a 394–244 edge in total offense and averaged 5.8 yards per play.

The Cowboys went 8-for-11 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Giants kept the ball for 36:40.

The two teams meet again in Week 17 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.1 yards/play NYG 5.8 · DAL 4.7
  • +150 total yards NYG 394 · DAL 244
  • +9% third-down rate NYG 82% · DAL 73%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Giants Won

New York won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Cowboys vs Giants
CowboysStatGiants
4.7Yards per play5.8
244Total yards394
73%Third-down conversion82%
Other team stats
52Plays68
1Turnovers1
23:20Time of possession36:40

Scoring Summary

The Giants scored four touchdowns; the Cowboys scored three touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Cowboys vs Giants
TimeTeamPlayDALNYG
1st quarter
6:40NYGCam Skattebo 3-yard TD run Takes leadDominic Zvada XP07
2nd quarter
5:44DALDak Prescott → CeeDee Lamb, 1-yard TD Ties gameBrandon Aubrey XP77
0:20NYGJaxson Dart → Isaiah Likely, 15-yard TD Takes leadDominic Zvada XP714
3rd quarter
6:59NYGJaxson Dart → Isaiah Likely, 2-yard TD Extends leadDominic Zvada XP721
0:37DALJavonte Williams 1-yard TD runBrandon Aubrey XP1421
4th quarter
7:26NYGJaxson Dart → Devin Singletary, 9-yard TD Extends leadDominic Zvada XP1428
5:21DALDak Prescott → Javonte Williams, 17-yard TDXP missed2028

Fantasy Points: Cowboys vs Giants, Week 1 2026

Fantasy leaders

  1. Isaiah LikelyNYGTE27.8 PTSTE1
  2. Jaxson DartNYGQB26.6 PTSQB4
  3. Javonte WilliamsDALRB24.2 PTSRB9
  4. Dak PrescottDALQB15.4 PTSQB19

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Jaxson DartNYGQB26.6QB423/292303011540134.2
Dak PrescottDALQB15.4QB1922/3417521214084.8Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Isaiah LikelyNYGTE27.8TE1TE———88782Start/Sit →
Javonte WilliamsDALRB24.2RB9RB1241155311Start/Sit →
CeeDee LambDALWR15.4WR20WR10085441Start/Sit →
Cam SkatteboNYGRB14.1RB18RB18811————Start/Sit →
Devin SingletaryNYGRB13.8RB20RB616044221Start/Sit →
Malik NabersNYGWR12.9WR26WR———96690Start/Sit →
George PickensDALWR5.8WR63WR———63280Start/Sit →
Darnell MooneyNYGWR4.7WR74WR———22270Start/Sit →
Malachi FieldsNYGWR4.5WR77WR———42250Start/Sit →
Ryan FlournoyDALWR4.2WR79WR———42220Start/Sit →
Brevyn Spann-FordDALTE3.4TE38TE———22140Start/Sit →
Jake FergusonDALTE2.6TE43TE———2260Start/Sit →
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE2.2TE48TE———11120Start/Sit →
Jonathan MingoDALWR2.0WR96WR———11100Start/Sit →
Theo JohnsonNYGTE1.9TE49TE———1190Start/Sit →
KaVontae TurpinDALWR1.8WR97WR———1180Start/Sit →
Emari DemercadoDALRB0.7RB70RB270————Start/Sit →
Hunter LuepkeDALRB0.7RB71RB170————Start/Sit →
Patrick RicardNYGRB0.0—RB———1000
Tyrone TracyNYGRB-0.6—RB2140————

Fantasy Usage

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. George PickensWR49 snaps84%
  2. CeeDee LambWR47 snaps81%
  3. Jake FergusonTE44 snaps76%
  4. Javonte WilliamsRB41 snaps71%
  5. Ryan FlournoyWR41 snaps71%

Target Share30 targets

  1. CeeDee Lamb27%, 8 targets
  2. George Pickens20%, 6 targets
  3. Javonte Williams17%, 5 targets
  4. Ryan Flournoy13%, 4 targets
  5. Jake Ferguson7%, 2 targets
  6. Other17%, 5 targets

Carry Share18 carries

  1. Javonte Williams67%, 12 carries
  2. Dak Prescott11%, 2 carries
  3. Emari Demercado11%, 2 carries
  4. CeeDee Lamb6%, 1 carries
  5. Hunter Luepke6%, 1 carries

New York Giants

Snap Share

  1. Malachi FieldsWR50 snaps72%
  2. Cam SkatteboRB42 snaps61%
  3. Darnell MooneyWR39 snaps57%
  4. Patrick RicardRB37 snaps54%
  5. Malik NabersWR36 snaps52%

Target Share29 targets

  1. Malik Nabers31%, 9 targets
  2. Isaiah Likely28%, 8 targets
  3. Devin Singletary14%, 4 targets
  4. Malachi Fields14%, 4 targets
  5. Darnell Mooney7%, 2 targets
  6. Other7%, 2 targets

Carry Share37 carries

  1. Cam Skattebo49%, 18 carries
  2. Jaxson Dart30%, 11 carries
  3. Devin Singletary16%, 6 carries
  4. Tyrone Tracy5%, 2 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
George PickensDALWR4984%620%0
CeeDee LambDALWR4781%827%1
Jake FergusonDALTE4476%27%0
Malachi FieldsNYGWR5072%414%0
Javonte WilliamsDALRB4171%517%12
Ryan FlournoyDALWR4171%413%0
Cam SkatteboNYGRB4261%00%18
Darnell MooneyNYGWR3957%27%0
Patrick RicardNYGRB3754%13%0
Malik NabersNYGWR3652%931%0
Isaiah LikelyNYGTE3449%828%0
Theo JohnsonNYGTE3246%13%0
Devin SingletaryNYGRB2536%414%6
Chris ManhertzNYGTE2435%00%0
Hunter LuepkeDALRB1526%00%1
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE1322%13%0
Brevyn Spann-FordDALTE1322%27%0
Jonathan MingoDALWR1119%13%0
Braxton BerriosNYGWR1217%00%0
Odell BeckhamNYGWR1116%00%0
KaVontae TurpinDALWR814%13%0
Emari DemercadoDALRB59%00%2
Tyrone TracyNYGRB23%00%2

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Jaxson DartNYG · QB26.620.2+6.4100%29 att—291130%00%
Dak PrescottDAL · QB15.417.1−1.7100%34 att—34211%00%
Javonte WilliamsDAL · RB24.216.0+8.271%67% car—01267%517%
Malik NabersNYG · WR12.915.7−2.852%31% tgt—000%931%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR15.414.6+0.881%27% tgt—016%827%
Isaiah LikelyNYG · TE27.814.0+13.849%28% tgt—000%828%
Cam SkatteboNYG · RB14.110.8+3.361%49% car—01849%00%
Devin SingletaryNYG · RB13.810.6+3.236%16% car—0616%414%
George PickensDAL · WR5.810.5−4.784%20% tgt—000%620%
Malachi FieldsNYG · WR4.57.0−2.572%14% tgt—000%414%
Ryan FlournoyDAL · WR4.27.0−2.871%13% tgt—000%413%
Brevyn Spann-FordDAL · TE3.43.5−0.122%7% tgt—000%27%
Darnell MooneyNYG · WR4.73.5+1.257%7% tgt—000%27%
Jake FergusonDAL · TE2.63.5−0.976%7% tgt—000%27%
Jonathan MingoDAL · WR2.01.7+0.319%3% tgt—000%13%
KaVontae TurpinDAL · WR1.81.7+0.114%3% tgt—000%13%
Luke SchoonmakerDAL · TE2.21.7+0.522%3% tgt—000%13%
Patrick RicardNYG · RB0.01.7−1.754%3% tgt—000%13%
Theo JohnsonNYG · TE1.91.7+0.246%3% tgt—000%13%
Emari DemercadoDAL · RB0.71.2−0.59%11% car—0211%00%
Tyrone Tracy Jr.NYG · RB-0.61.2−1.83%5% car—025%00%
Hunter LuepkeDAL · RB0.70.6+0.126%6% car—016%00%

Team totals: Cowboys 30 targets and 18 carries; Giants 29 targets and 37 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2026 season: 1.75 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.60 per carry and 0.47 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Dak Prescott

DAL · QB · 15.4 pts on 17.1 expected

22 of 34 passing for 175 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 2 carries for 14 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.1 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Texans. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Dak Prescott →

Jaxson Dart Ran hot

NYG · QB · 26.6 pts on 20.2 expected

23 of 29 passing for 230 yards, 3 touchdowns; 11 carries for 54 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 20.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Cardinals. Bet on the role more than the result.

Javonte Williams Ran hot

DAL · RB · 24.2 pts on 16.0 expected

5 targets (17% of the team's), 5 catches for 31 yards and 1 touchdown; 12 carries (67% of the team's) for 41 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Texans. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Javonte Williams →

CeeDee Lamb

DAL · WR · 15.4 pts on 14.6 expected

8 targets (27% of the team's), 5 catches for 44 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (6% of the team's) for 0 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.6 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Texans. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: CeeDee Lamb →

Malik Nabers Volume, no payoff

NYG · WR · 12.9 pts on 15.7 expected

9 targets (31% of the team's), 6 catches for 69 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.7 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Cardinals. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Malik Nabers →

Isaiah Likely Ran hot

NYG · TE · 27.8 pts on 14.0 expected

8 targets (28% of the team's), 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 14.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Cardinals. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Isaiah Likely →

Start/Sit Decisions

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2026 through Week 3.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cowboys defense and Giants defense
Points allowed toCowboys DGiants D
QBs23.517.9
RBs25.021.9
WRs27.835.2
TEs13.812.6

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

New York opened at 41% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Giants win probability

Giants win probability by game minuteGiants started at 41%, stood at 72% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 7 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +22Skattebo 3-yd TD run42% → 64%Q1 6:40
  2. −26Prescott → Lamb, 1-yd TD69% → 43%Q2 5:44
  3. +28Dart → Likely, 15-yd TD44% → 72%Q2 0:20
  4. +18Dart → Likely, 2-yd TD76% → 94%Q3 6:59
  5. −16Williams 1-yd TD run97% → 82%Q3 0:37

Swing in Giants win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cowboys vs Giants
Dallas CowboysMeasureNew York Giants
52Plays68
65%Pass rate46%
5.1Yds / dropback7.4
3.8Yds / carry4.5
8/11Third downs9/11

Efficiency edge New York ran 16 more plays and gained 2.3 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • DAL Lamb 27% · Pickens 20% · Williams 17%
  • NYG Nabers 31% · Likely 28% · Singletary 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cowboys vs Giants
ResultDALNYG
Touchdowns34
Field goals00
Punts21
Turnovers11
  • The Giants opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 83-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Giants drained the clock with three second-half drives of five to nine minutes.
All 14 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DALQ1 15:00352:07Punt
NYGQ1 12:5310836:13Touchdown
DALQ1 6:409324:41Punt
NYGQ1 1:597284:31Punt
DALQ2 12:2810856:44Touchdown
NYGQ2 5:448643:54Fumble
DALQ2 1:506201:01Interception
NYGQ2 0:496550:29Touchdown
DALQ2 0:203130:20End of half
NYGQ3 15:0012748:01Touchdown
DALQ3 6:5912756:22Touchdown
NYGQ3 0:3713658:11Touchdown
DALQ4 7:269742:05Touchdown
NYGQ4 5:2112475:21End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cowboys vs Giants Head-to-Head

The Cowboys and Giants first met in 1960 and have played 129 times since. They have been NFC East rivals since 1970.

All-time series
78–49–2Cowboys lead, 129 meetings since 1960
Postseason
1–0Giants won in 2007
Largest Cowboys win
52–71966
Largest Giants win
41–101962

Since 2021

9–2 Cowboys lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Cowboys win, G = Giants win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 17 Giants at Cowboys Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 3)

The 2026 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cowboys vs Giants
CowboysStatGiants
1-2Record2-1
29.3Points per game15.3
330.3Yards per game271.3
5.6Yards per play4.5
27.3Points allowed per game18.3
387.0Yards allowed per game329.0

Cowboys vs Giants Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
DAL −3Cowboys failed to cover by 11
Total
47.5Over: 48 points scored (by 0.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Cowboys25.320−5.3
Giants22.328+5.8

The Giants beat their implied total and the Cowboys fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 6 meetings: Cowboys 3–3 ATS, overs 4–2.

Each team's 2026 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Dallas Cowboys

Against the spread
0–1
Over/under
1–0
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS on the road
0–1

New York Giants

Against the spread
1–0
Over/under
1–0
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS at home
1–0

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Cowboys vs Giants Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 17 in Dallas. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2026 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cowboys vs Giants Game FAQ

Who won the 2026 Cowboys vs Giants Week 1 game?

The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys 28–20 in Week 1 of the 2026 season. The game was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on September 13, 2026. See the Giants' 2026 schedule.

What was the final score of Cowboys vs Giants?

The final score was Giants 28, Cowboys 20. The Giants led 14–7 at halftime, and the second half went Cowboys 13, Giants 14.

What happened in the Cowboys vs Giants game?

New York led 14–7 at halftime and outscored Dallas 14–13 after the break to win 28–20. The Giants finished with a 394–244 edge in total offense and averaged 5.8 yards per play. Isaiah Likely led all players with 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cowboys vs Giants?

Isaiah Likely led the game with 27.8 PPR fantasy points, the TE1 of Week 1, on 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jaxson Dart was next with 26.6 (QB4). See Isaiah Likely's 2026 game log.

Who led Cowboys vs Giants in passing, rushing and receiving?

Jaxson Dart (NYG) led all passers with 23 of 29 for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cam Skattebo (NYG) led in rushing with 18 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Likely (NYG) led in receiving with 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Isaiah Likely score against the Cowboys?

Isaiah Likely scored 27.8 points in PPR leagues, 23.8 in half-PPR and 19.8 in standard scoring against the Cowboys in Week 1 of the 2026 season, on 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. He drew 28% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Giants?

Isaiah Likely outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 27.8 PPR points on 14.0 xFP (+13.8). George Pickens fell furthest short, with 5.8 points on 10.5 xFP (−4.7). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Giants?

Jaxson Dart had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.2 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 26.6. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Giants beat the Cowboys?

The Giants beat the Cowboys 28–20 because they averaged 5.8 yards per play to 4.7 and outgained them 394–244.

What is the all-time Cowboys vs Giants record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 78–49–2 across 129 meetings since 1960, including a 0–1 record in the postseason.

When did the Cowboys and Giants last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2026, they last met in the 2025 season on January 4, 2026, when the Giants beat the Cowboys 34–17.

Have the Cowboys and Giants met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2007 playoffs. The Cowboys are 0–1 against the Giants in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Cowboys vs Giants?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Cowboys −3, making the Dallas Cowboys 3-point favorites, with a closing total of 47.5. That implied about 25.3 points for the Cowboys and 22.3 for the Giants.

Did Cowboys vs Giants go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 47.5, and the teams combined for 48 points, 0.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Cowboys vs Giants?

The Giants covered as 3-point underdogs against the closing line of Cowboys −3. The final margin was 8 points.