The New York Giants began the John Harbaugh era with a 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The victory snapped New York’s eight-game losing streak to Dallas in primetime season openers and gave the Giants a strong start to the new season.
The Giants found the end zone on their first drive, marching 83 yards in 10 plays before Cam Skattebo bulled in from three yards out. Dallas answered after forcing a punt, as Dak Prescott hooked up with CeeDee Lamb for the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the night.
Dallas then had a chance to seize momentum after Quinnen Williams forced a fumble from Tyrone Tracy, but Prescott’s late first-half interception shifted the game’s direction. Kayvon Thibodeaux pressured the quarterback on third down, and Jevon Holland made a diving grab at the New York 45 with 58 seconds left in the half. Jaxson Dart quickly converted the turnover into points, hitting Isaiah Likely for a 15-yard touchdown with 20 seconds remaining.
Giants control the game
New York stayed in control after halftime, with Dart tossing two more touchdown passes. He connected with Likely from two yards before finding Devin Singletary for a nine-yard score, finishing the game with 230 passing yards and three touchdowns on 23 of 29 attempts.
The Giants dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36:40 compared to Dallas’ 23:20. They also established a strong running game, carrying 37 times for 165 yards and a touchdown. Skattebo led the ground attack with 81 yards and a score on 18 carries, while Dart added 54 yards on 11 attempts.
That rushing production kept the Giants in favorable down-and-distance situations throughout the game. New York converted nine of its 11 third-down opportunities, helping the offense maintain long stretches of possession.
The Giants’ control limited Dallas to just seven total possessions, including only two in the second half. New York ultimately drained the clock on its final drive, starting it with more than five minutes remaining before securing the victory.
Isaiah Likely shines for Giants
Likely made an immediate impact after signing a three-year, $40 million contract with the Giants in the offseason. The tight end finished with eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, becoming one of the key figures in New York’s victory.
His first touchdown came on a corner route when the Dallas defense left him open in the end zone. His second score followed a designed play featuring Braxton Berrios moving across the formation and Skattebo leaking into the flat before Likely received the ball inside.
Likely also produced an important late third-down catch, converting a third-and-3 opportunity and helping New York continue to run down the clock. Dallas’ linebackers and safeties struggled to contain him throughout the game.
Cowboys offense struggles in loss
Dallas finished with only 244 total yards on 52 plays, averaging 4.7 yards per play. Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes while averaging 5.1 yards per attempt, and his interception before halftime directly preceded a Giants touchdown.
George Pickens had a quiet game with three catches for 28 yards and was also responsible for two drops. Lamb scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown and drew several pass interference penalties, but he was unable to produce a major downfield play.
Javonte Williams scored on a one-yard run and caught a 17-yard touchdown pass, accounting for Dallas’ two second-half scores. However, he managed only 41 yards on 12 carries, while the offensive line struggled to create running room and allowed Prescott to face significant pressure despite giving up no sacks.
Dallas’ defense also could not produce enough stops to give the offense an opportunity to complete a comeback. Christian Parker’s unit struggled to contain the Giants, while the Cowboys’ penalty problems added to their difficulties.
The teams combined for 19 penalties and 204 penalty yards. Dallas was flagged seven times in the first half, while the Giants were called for pass interference four times. Williams was also penalized for taunting after a late Cowboys touchdown, contributing to a missed extra point by Brandon Aubrey.