Giants Surprise Cowboys in Season Opener

The Giants’ unexpected 28-20 win over the Cowboys during “Sunday Night Football” caught everyone off guard—fans at MetLife Stadium, those watching at home, and even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Jones voiced his candid thoughts on the loss during a recent segment on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, expressing his surprise about the game.

In a rare moment of humility, he acknowledged that the Giants may be better than initially perceived, stepping aside from the usual rivalry rhetoric. “And I will tell you, they were better than we thought they were. I’m anxious to see how New York continues to play, but I really — combination of things,” he stated. “We didn’t play as well as we should play and can, but they played better than I thought they could.”

This victory marked the Giants’ first season-opening win since 2022, as they managed to outshine a formidable Cowboys offense that included quarterback Dak Prescott and notable receivers like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

The Giants performed particularly well, thanks to a strong showing from Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, both in their second year. Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and achieved three touchdowns, connecting with new tight end Isaiah Likely for two of those scores.

Skattebo, making a comeback after an ankle injury that cut his rookie season short, rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries—capping his touchdown with a backflip that surely got the crowd excited.

As for their offensive efforts, the Giants dominated on the ground, amassing 165 rushing yards and averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per play against a revamped Cowboys defense that Jones had praised throughout the offseason.

Jones was clearly disappointed with Dallas’ performance, attributing it to adjustments needed for new coaches and schemes. Meanwhile, the Giants appeared to navigate their own changes smoothly, crediting their success to new head coach and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

Looking forward, the Giants are eager to prove that their win was no fluke, as they prepare for a Monday night clash against the Rams. On the flip side, Dallas is determined to rebound as they host the Commanders at AT&T Stadium, looking for a strong response amid their initial setback.