The Dallas Cowboys open the 2026 campaign at MetLife Stadium, and the market has leaned their way. Dallas opened as a 2-point road favorite and now lays 3 points, while the total has held firm at 48. New York answers with a new head coach, a second-year quarterback and one of the deepest edge-rush rotations in the league. Sunday Night Football rarely offers a cleaner test of an offseason makeover. The analysis below sorts out the side, the total and one price worth a second look.
Last Updated: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants — Time & How to Watch
| Where | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ |
| When | Sunday, September 13 – 8:20 PM ET |
| TV | NBC |
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants Betting Preview
Dallas finished 7-9-1 last season and placed second in the NFC East. The offense was never the issue, as the Cowboys ranked near the top of the league in passing production with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The defense was. Dallas allowed more points than any other NFL team, and the front office fired coordinator Matt Eberflus and handed the unit to Christian Parker.
The rebuild that followed was aggressive. Dallas traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary, drafted safety Caleb Downs in the first round, and stacked the interior with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Dak Prescott enters his 11th season with a 14-3 record as a starter against New York. One complication lingers up front. All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith is out after thumb surgery and is expected to miss four to six weeks, so T.J. Bass draws the start in his place.
New York is starting over after a 4-13 finish that left the Giants last in the division. John Harbaugh took the job in January after 17 seasons in Baltimore, bringing in Matt Nagy to run the offense and Dennard Wilson to run the defense. Jaxson Dart enters year two off a rookie season that produced 24 total touchdowns, nine of them on the ground.
The Giants’ strength is obvious. Brian Burns posted 16.5 sacks last season, and he lines up alongside Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux in a rotation few offensive lines handle comfortably. Health is the wrinkle. Wide receiver Malik Nabers carries a questionable tag with a knee issue on the official Week 1 injury report, while Dallas running back Malik Davis is out with a hip injury. Meanwhile, the last meeting belongs to New York, a 34-17 Week 18 win at MetLife over an already-eliminated Dallas team.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | -3 (-110) | -170 | U 48 (-110) |
| Giants | +3 (-110) | +145 | O 48 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of September 13, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NFL Odds – Futures – Props
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Cowboys | 50% | 50% | Giants |
See the latest NFL Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Cowboys vs. Giants Prediction — Are The G-Men Tonight’s Best Bet?
Start with the movement. This game opened with Dallas laying 2 points at -135 on the moneyline, and it now sits at 3 points and -170. That is a full point through the most important number on the board. Yet spread tickets are split evenly at 50 percent per side. When the ticket count is balanced and the number still climbs, the move usually comes from respected money rather than the crowd.
The case for Dallas is straightforward. Prescott has handled this matchup for a decade, the receiving corps is intact, and New York’s defense finished near the bottom of the league in points allowed last season. In contrast, the case for New York starts with the number. Three is the most common final margin in the NFL, and buying past it is expensive. Dallas is also without its best interior blocker against a three-man edge rotation that can attack a backup guard in obvious passing situations.
Dart’s mobility also forces disciplined rush lanes, and Parker’s defense has never played a live snap together. Brand-new schemes tend to leak early. Still, the risk is real. If Nabers cannot go, Dart loses his best answer to pressure. For more market context, see our Cowboys vs. Giants odds preview.
The Pick: Giants +3 (-110)
Cowboys vs. Giants Prediction — Will Sunday Night Be an Old School Shootout?
The total has not moved since it was posted in May, which suggests the market is comfortable at 48. That comfort is worth testing. Dallas allowed more points than any defense in the NFL last season, and the fix stays theoretical until it holds up on the field. New York surrendered 439 points of its own. Both offenses also carry scoring equity, and Dart’s nine rushing touchdowns as a rookie give New York a red-zone element most young quarterbacks lack.
The other side deserves a hearing. Week 1 openers frequently start slow, and both teams are installing new defensive systems with fresh personnel. New York’s edge trio should shorten possessions if the pass rush arrives early. However, opening-week defenses rarely play clean, and heavy personnel turnover works against communication.
The Pick: Over 48 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
One more angle is worth pricing. New York returns +145 on the moneyline, an implied win probability of roughly 40.8 percent, while Dallas at -170 implies about 63 percent. Public moneyline money sits heavily on the road side, which is typical for a primetime window with a popular favorite. If the case for the home dog holds, the plus price pays considerably more for the same outcome. The caution is obvious. A moneyline ticket loses on a 1-point Dallas win, so keep it small.
Early-season prices reflect real uncertainty across the NFC East. Our Commanders vs. Eagles odds preview covers the other divisional matchup on this slate.
Bonus Pick: Giants Moneyline (+145)
All picks for this game: Giants +3 (-110), Over 48 (-110), and Giants moneyline (+145) as a smaller add-on.
NFL Cowboys vs. Giants FAQ: Sunday September 13, 2026
What time does the Cowboys vs. Giants game start?
Kickoff is set for 8:20 PM ET on Sunday, September 13, 2026. It is the opening Sunday night window of the 2026 regular season and the last game on the Week 1 Sunday schedule.
What channel is the Cowboys vs. Giants game on?
The game airs on NBC as the Week 1 edition of Sunday Night Football. It also streams on Peacock. Coverage comes from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where are the Cowboys and Giants playing?
The game is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Giants’ home venue. New York hosts the opener, so Dallas travels for the first game of the season. It is also the first home game of John Harbaugh’s tenure as Giants head coach.
Who won the last meeting between the Cowboys and Giants?
The Giants won the most recent meeting 34-17 at MetLife Stadium in Week 18 of the 2025 season. Dallas had already been eliminated from playoff contention at that point, which limits how much the result says about this matchup.
Who is starting at quarterback for the Cowboys and Giants?
Dak Prescott starts for Dallas in his 11th season as the Cowboys’ quarterback, and Jaxson Dart starts for New York in his second NFL season. Dart took over the Giants job as a rookie in 2025 and is Harbaugh’s declared starter for the opener.