New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: Week 1 staff picks and predictions - Giants Wire

The New York Giants (0-0) will take on the Dallas Cowboys (0-0) on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium in their first game of the 2026 regular season.

Opening the week, the Giants were listed as 3-point home underdogs, and that's exactly where the line remains as of this writing.

How does the Giants Wire staff see this Week 1 battle shaking out? Here's a look at our picks and score predictions.

I want to believe the Giants will buck several ugly trends (vs. Cowboys, Week 1 home openers), but pessimism remains locked in place. After a decade of failure and futility, even the presence of John Harbaugh and an enthusiastic roster can't overcome the low bar and even lower expectations. It may take the Giants a while to find their rhythm under the reconstructed coaching staff, leaving them susceptible to the all-too-familiar.

Another new beginning for Big Blue, but this one has a different feel. The Giants look more focused and ready to start the season under head coach John Harbaugh. They have direction and purpose for the first time in a decade. They also have much more talent than in years past and should come out of the gate firing. But this is an NFC East rivalry game, and they are never dull. I'll take the home team by a field goal.

I think the Giants will be better this year, especially under the leadership of John Harbaugh. However, I also think it will take time to build and transform Big Blue into contenders. This is going to be a close one by default because it's a division game, and if last year's two matchups between these two teams are any indication, it's going to be a high-scoring game on Sunday night. I think the passing attack of the Cowboys will likely prove to be too much for the Giants' secondary having to defend CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Although I think the Giants will hang with the Cowboys until late in the game, ultimately, I believe the Giants will come up short in this one.

The Giants and Cowboys rivalry has deep roots, dating back to 1960. The Cowboys lead the series by 30 games, but the Giants defeated the Cowboys in their last meeting this past January. Under John Harbaugh, this will be a different Giants team in 2026, and while there may be stutters early in the season, the Giants are going to be more competitive than most people think. They'll be at home for the opening edition of Sunday Night Football, and the atmosphere absolutely favors Big Blue. It's going to be a tight game, and while most experts are picking the Cowboys, I think the Giants eke out a win in the end.

There's certainly a lot more optimism regarding the Giants going into the young season, but even at home they fall short. The offense is still finding its identity under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The big concern here is how the Giants secondary is going to contain the star duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Maybe the Giants come out and surprise the league with a statement win, but in the end, the Cowboys offense will move the ball enough to take the Week 1 win.

I expect George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb to torch the Giants because the defensive back position seems like a blur as of right now, despite the zeal of defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.

The Giants will benefit from having a more experienced Jaxson Dart, as well as Francis Mauigoa protecting him in the affair. New York’s offense will make more plays than Dallas on the ground, and Malik Nabers, who had the Giants on the verge of winning their Week 1 matchup against the Cowboys last season, will give the team an edge. Ultimately, the Giants' defense will do enough to solidify the win.