Giants Defeat Cowboys 28-20 to Open 2026 Season

The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 in their season opener on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. According to box scores from ESPN and Pro Football Reference, the Giants built an early lead and controlled much of the contest. New York's offense moved the ball efficiently for long stretches of the game. The Giants converted several scoring opportunities into points at key moments. Their defense also contributed a number of crucial stops throughout the afternoon.

Those defensive stops mattered most in the second half, when Dallas attempted to close the gap. The Cowboys mounted a late comeback effort that briefly threatened New York's advantage. Ultimately, Dallas fell short as time expired, unable to complete the rally. The Giants' ability to close out the game reflected improved discipline compared to previous seasons. Coaches on both sidelines pointed to execution in critical moments as the deciding factor.

The win gives Giants fans an encouraging start to the new season. The victory came against a longtime NFC East rival with its own playoff aspirations. Dallas will look to regroup quickly, since NFL teams have little time before facing new opponents. For the Giants, the victory offers early momentum as they aim to build consistency across the schedule. Both franchises share a long history of competitive matchups, and Sunday's game added another chapter to that rivalry.