Giants 28, Cowboys 20: Dart and Likely Launch Harbaugh’s Era
Jaxson Dart throws three touchdowns, Isaiah Likely catches all eight targets, and New York controls the opener with 165 rushing yards.
2026 NFL Week 1 · Final: Dallas Cowboys 20, New York Giants 28. Official team coverage · AP game report
The Giants made their first impression count
John Harbaugh's first Giants game delivered the result New York wanted and a performance that explained why it happened. Jaxson Dart threw three touchdown passes, Isaiah Likely caught eight passes without an incompletion on his targets, and the Giants beat Dallas 28 to 20. New York gained 394 yards to the Cowboys' 244 and repeatedly sustained the more convincing offense.
Dallas stayed close enough to threaten a late escape, but the Giants controlled the game through passing efficiency and a productive rushing attack. The return of Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo added substance to the new beginning. New York's offense had several reliable answers instead of asking one player to manufacture the entire night.
Follow the teams: Dallas Cowboys · New York Giants
The touchdown before halftime changed the balance
The teams were tied at seven before Dart found Likely for a 15 yard touchdown with 20 seconds left in the first half. The Giants then extended the lead to 21 to 7 on another Dart to Likely connection in the third quarter. A close game became one in which Dallas repeatedly needed a touchdown merely to regain striking distance.
Dart's nine yard touchdown pass to Devin Singletary made it 28 to 14 with 7:26 remaining. Dallas answered through Javonte Williams, but a taunting penalty contributed to a longer extra point attempt that Brandon Aubrey missed. The Cowboys remained eight points behind, and New York's final possession prevented another opportunity.
Every scoring play
Quarter / clock | Scoring play | DAL : NYG |
Q1 6:40 | Cam Skattebo 3 Yd Rush (Dominic Zvada Kick) | 0 : 7 |
Q2 5:44 | CeeDee Lamb 1 Yd pass from Dak Prescott (Brandon Aubrey Kick) | 7 : 7 |
Q2 0:20 | Isaiah Likely 15 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Dominic Zvada Kick) | 7 : 14 |
Q3 6:59 | Isaiah Likely 2 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Dominic Zvada Kick) | 7 : 21 |
Q3 0:37 | Javonte Williams 1 Yd Rush (Brandon Aubrey Kick) | 14 : 21 |
Q4 7:26 | Devin Singletary 9 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Dominic Zvada Kick) | 14 : 28 |
Q4 5:21 | Javonte Williams 17 Yd pass from Dak Prescott (Brandon Aubrey PAT Failed) | 20 : 28 |
Compare the outcome with our earlier coverage: Cowboys vs. Giants Prediction: Can New York Stop Dak Prescott?
Dart’s efficiency came with a rushing dimension
Dart completed 23 of 29 attempts for 230 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran 11 times for 54 yards. That rushing contribution helped New York stay productive when a passing play did not provide the easiest available gain.
Skattebo carried 18 times for 81 yards and scored the opening touchdown. The Giants finished with 165 rushing yards, compared with Dallas' 69. The difference gave New York more ways to move the chains and helped keep the Cowboys from forcing the game entirely into obvious passing situations.
The complete team comparison
Statistic | DAL | NYG |
First downs | 21 | 29 |
Offensive plays | 52 | 68 |
Total yards | 244 | 394 |
Yards per play | 4.7 | 5.8 |
Passing yards, net | 175 | 229 |
Rushing yards | 69 | 165 |
Rushing attempts | 18 | 37 |
Yards per rush | 3.8 | 4.5 |
Third downs, converted / attempts | 8 / 11 | 9 / 11 |
Fourth downs, converted / attempts | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
Red zone TDs / trips | 3 / 3 | 4 / 4 |
Turnovers committed | 1 | 1 |
Sacks allowed / yards lost | 0 / 0 | 2 / 1 |
Penalties / yards | 9 / 90 | 10 / 114 |
Possession | 23:20 | 36:40 |
More context: Giants 28, Cowboys 20: Week 1 Prop Results
Likely gave the Giants a reliable finishing option
Likely caught all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Nabers added six receptions for 69 yards on nine targets in his return from a knee injury. Singletary caught four passes for 22 yards and a touchdown in addition to his rushing work. Dart distributed production among players who could solve different parts of a possession.
Dak Prescott completed 22 of 34 attempts for 175 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. CeeDee Lamb caught five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown, while Williams scored once rushing and once receiving. George Pickens had three catches for 28 yards. Dallas needed more explosive production from that passing group to offset the gap on the ground.
Quarterbacks and offensive leaders
Player | Week 1 production |
DAL · Dak Prescott | 22/34 passing, 175 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 84.8 passer rating |
DAL · Javonte Williams | 12 carries, 41 rushing yards, 1 TD; long 8 |
DAL · Dak Prescott | 2 carries, 14 rushing yards, 0 TD; long 10 |
DAL · CeeDee Lamb | 5 catches, 44 receiving yards, 1 TD, 8 targets; long 15 |
DAL · Javonte Williams | 5 catches, 31 receiving yards, 1 TD, 5 targets; long 17 |
DAL · George Pickens | 3 catches, 28 receiving yards, 0 TD, 6 targets; long 11 |
DAL · Ryan Flournoy | 2 catches, 22 receiving yards, 0 TD, 4 targets; long 17 |
NYG · Jaxson Dart | 23/29 passing, 230 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 134.2 passer rating |
NYG · Cam Skattebo | 18 carries, 81 rushing yards, 1 TD; long 13 |
NYG · Jaxson Dart | 11 carries, 54 rushing yards, 0 TD; long 22 |
NYG · Isaiah Likely | 8 catches, 78 receiving yards, 2 TD, 8 targets; long 19 |
NYG · Malik Nabers | 6 catches, 69 receiving yards, 0 TD, 9 targets; long 16 |
NYG · Darnell Mooney | 2 catches, 27 receiving yards, 0 TD, 2 targets; long 18 |
NYG · Malachi Fields | 2 catches, 25 receiving yards, 0 TD, 4 targets; long 19 |
All scoring and statistical tables use the final ESPN box score and play by play
Passing yards in the team table are net of sack yardage. Quarterback passing yards are gross. Receiving targets and player roles describe this game; they are not season projections.
Fantasy confidence should follow the opportunities
Likely's eight targets and Nabers' nine are meaningful first game signals. The tight end's perfect catch rate and two touchdowns made his night exceptional, but his central involvement is the more useful detail for future decisions. Skattebo's 18 carries also provide concrete evidence of his role in the backfield after returning from injury.
Dart's 54 rushing yards added a valuable second source of fantasy production. Williams' two touchdowns helped his result despite only 72 scrimmage yards. New York did fumble four times and lose one, so the win should not erase ball security concerns. Cowboys injuries to Malik Hooker and DeMarvion Overshown require follow up reporting before anyone makes assumptions about the defense's next configuration.
Continue the fantasy discussion: Malik Nabers Return: 6 Catches in Giants Week 1 Win
For the next waiver decision, see Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire: Best Players Available in 30 Percent or More of Leagues
Football Nation verdict
The Giants' opening win was persuasive because the offense could sustain itself in several ways: Skattebo's runs, Dart's movement, Likely's reliability and Nabers' return. Dallas' late scoring kept the margin respectable, but its 244 yards exposed a less convincing overall performance. New York visits the Rams next Monday, and Dallas hosts Washington. The Giants now have a promising first example of what their new structure can produce; the Cowboys need a stronger offensive response in another division game.
Explore every finished matchup in the Football Nation Game Recaps archive
Comments