Dallas Cowboys Set to Face Giants in 2026 Season Opener

The 2026 NFL season is officially set to kick off for the Dallas Cowboys, who will face off against their longtime NFC East rivals, the New York Giants. The game is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 13, at 7:20 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will be broadcast live on NBC.

This season opener will mark the 13th meeting between these two NFC East teams in the first game of the season. Historically, Dallas has had the upper hand in these matchups, winning 11 out of the previous 12 games. The Cowboys and Giants last squared off in the season opener in 2023, and they will now renew their rivalry under the bright lights of Week 1.

A New Era for the Giants under John Harbaugh

For the Giants, the 2026 season opens a new chapter under head coach John Harbaugh, who was hired in January after spending 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. During his time in Baltimore, Harbaugh led the Ravens to Super Bowl XLVII, cementing his legacy as one of the NFL’s most accomplished coaches. Now, Harbaugh will look to turn around a Giants team that has struggled in recent years, finishing last in the NFC East in both 2024 and 2025.

Dallas Entering Year Two Under Schottenheimer

Meanwhile, the Cowboys will be entering their second year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer. After a challenging first season in 2025, where the team posted a 7-9-1 record, Schottenheimer is aiming to improve on the Cowboys’ performance and build a more consistent team in 2026.

Cowboys vs. Giants: A Historic Rivalry

The Cowboys-Giants rivalry is one of the most storied in the NFL, with Dallas holding the all-time series lead at 78-48-2, spanning 128 matchups since 1960. Over the last 18 games, Dallas has dominated, winning 16 of those contests.

In 2025, the teams split their season series. Dallas won a thrilling 40-37 overtime game in Week 2, but the Giants got their revenge in the season finale with a 34-17 victory.

This rivalry has consistently drawn huge television audiences. One of the most-watched regular-season games in NFL history took place during the teams’ Thanksgiving meeting in 2022, where Dallas secured a 28-20 victory over New York.

Giants Hope for Improvement Under Harbaugh

New York is hoping that Harbaugh’s leadership will help reverse their recent struggles. The Giants have reached the postseason just once since 2016 and have been unable to keep pace with the rest of the NFC East in recent seasons. Over the last five years, the Giants have won just one of their last ten meetings with the Cowboys, further adding to the urgency for change.

Cowboys Focus on Defensive Overhaul

The Cowboys made significant changes during the offseason, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. After a disappointing 2025 campaign, Dallas hired Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. The team also made several key additions via free agency, trades, and the draft to bolster their defensive unit.

Key players like Javonte Williams, George Pickens, Sam Williams, and others are returning, while new faces such as Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary, Sam Howell, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Jonathan Bullard are now part of the Cowboys’ revamped roster.

Busy Offseason Continues with the Draft

The Cowboys’ offseason overhaul continued during the 2026 NFL Draft. The team’s first-round picks were Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and Malachi Lawrence (UCF), two players expected to make an immediate impact. Other notable selections include Jaishawn Barham (Michigan) and Drew Shelton (Penn State), among others.

Cowboys to Play in Historic Game in Rio de Janeiro

In addition to the season opener against the Giants, the Cowboys are also set to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This will be the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game held in Brazil, making it a significant moment in the league’s global expansion.

The full 2026 NFL schedule, including more details on the Cowboys’ matchups, will be released on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET. Fans are eagerly awaiting the full slate of games as Dallas embarks on what could be a pivotal season in their quest for a Super Bowl title.

Can the Cowboys continue their dominance over the Giants, or will New York turn the tide under John Harbaugh? This season opener promises to be an exciting start to the 2026 NFL season.