Giants Secure Victory Over Cowboys at MetLife Stadium

What we said beforehand

The New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys in their season opener at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2026. This matchup is particularly intriguing as both teams will be looking to start the season on a positive note after finishing the previous season with mixed results. The Giants enter this game with a recent record of 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five games, scoring an average of 23.4 points while allowing 21.0 points. Their most recent victory was a convincing 34-10 win against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 28, 2025. Conversely, the Cowboys have a record of 1 win and 4 losses in their last five, averaging 24.0 points scored but allowing a higher 33.8 points per game. Their last game ended in a loss against the New Orleans Saints, where they were edged out 27-24 on August 29, 2026.

Historically, the Giants and Cowboys have faced each other twice in the last season, with both teams winning one game each. The Giants secured a strong 34-17 victory against the Cowboys on January 4, 2026, after losing to them 40-37 in their first meeting of the season on September 14, 2025. This recent split in their head-to-head record adds an extra layer of competitiveness to their upcoming encounter.

In terms of home and away performance, the Giants have struggled at home with a record of 1-4 in their last five home games, while the Cowboys have a slightly better away record of 2-3 in their last five games on the road. The Giants' average points scored at home is 22.8, with an average of 26.2 points allowed, indicating a need for improvement in their defensive play. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have averaged 24.9 points scored while allowing 30.5 points in their away games, which suggests that both teams will need to tighten their defenses to secure a win.

Injury concerns could also play a significant role in the outcome of this game. The Giants will be without several key players, including Najee Harris, Jason Pinnock, Thomas Fidone II, Bobby Jamison-Travis, and Nic Jones, all ruled out due to coach's decisions. The Cowboys will also miss Tyrus Wheat, Israel Abanikanda, Camden Brown, Caelen Carson, and Ajani Cornelius, who are similarly out due to coach's decisions. The absence of these players could impact both teams' strategies and overall performance on the field.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, has the Cowboys favored by 3 points, with a total over/under set at 47.5 points. This indicates that the expectation is for a competitive game with a moderate scoring output. The Cowboys are listed at -166 on the moneyline, while the Giants are at +140.

Weather conditions are expected to be relatively warm with a temperature of 77°F, a slight chance of precipitation at 20%, and wind gusts at 7 mph. These conditions should be manageable for both teams as they take the field.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for the effectiveness of each team's offense, particularly how the Giants' recent scoring success can translate against a Cowboys defense that has shown vulnerabilities. Additionally, the performance of the Cowboys' offense will be crucial as they look to bounce back from their recent struggles. The matchup promises to be an exciting start to the NFL season, with both teams eager to establish themselves early in the campaign.