Jaxson Dart connected with Isaiah Likely for a pair of touchdowns, propelling the New York Giants to a 28-20 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. The victory marked a promising start for the Giants and coincided with John Harbaugh's inaugural appearance as the team's head coach. In the passing game, Dart displayed accuracy and poise, completing 23 of 29 attempts for a total of 230 yards through the air. He also contributed 54 rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
His first touchdown pass found Isaiah Likely in the end zone, and a second strike to the same receiver added another score, underscoring Likely's immediate impact after arriving from Baltimore alongside Harbaugh. Likely was flawless in his reception statistics, catching eight passes on eight targets for 78 yards in his New York debut.
The Giants' ground attack also featured notable performances. Devin Singletary received a short pass from Dart and turned it into a rushing touchdown, adding to the team's scoring tally.
Meanwhile, Cam Skattebo, returning from a broken right fibula and a dislocated ankle, logged 81 yards on 18 carries. Skattebo capped his effort with a spectacular back‑flip celebration after sprinting untouched into the end zone for the Giants' first points of the season. His comeback highlighted the depth of the Giants' roster and the successful rehabilitation of players sidelined by injury. Veteran wideout Malik Nabers, who missed nearly a year while recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee, also rejoined the lineup.
Nabers contributed six receptions for 69 yards, providing a reliable secondary option for Dart and helping to stretch the Cowboys' defense. On the opposite side of the ball, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott managed 22 completions on 34 attempts, accumulating 175 passing yards. He found his top receivers, CeeDee Lamb and Javonte Williams, for touchdowns, and Williams also added a rushing score. However, Prescott's efforts were marred by a crucial interception that halted a potential comeback and by a series of costly penalties—eight infractions totaling 85 yards—that disrupted the Cowboys' rhythm and field position.
Defensively, the Giants held firm in the early stages, limiting Dallas to modest yardage and forcing key stops. The Cowboys' defense, meanwhile, struggled to find its footing, allowing the Giants to establish a lead that proved decisive despite Dallas' late‑game rally.
The game opened with a solemn pre‑game ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Harbaugh participated in the tribute, first wearing an NYPD cap during the first half and then switching to an FDNY hat for the second, symbolizing respect for both police and fire services that responded to the tragedy. Beyond the matchup, the broadcast schedule highlighted a packed slate of NFL action on Sky Sports.
Later that night, the Washington Commanders faced the Dallas Cowboys at 9:25 p.m., while the Seattle Seahawks took on the Arizona Cardinals at the same hour, both games streamed live on Sky Sports platforms. Earlier in the day, the Detroit Lions visited the Buffalo Bills at 1:15 a.m., the Minnesota Vikings clashed with the Chicago Bears at 6:00 p.m., and the Pittsburgh Steelers met the New England Patriots at 6:00 p.m., each broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL or Sky Sports Main Event.
The Jacksonville Jaguars played the Denver Broncos at 9:05 p.m., and the Indianapolis Colts faced the Kansas City Chiefs at 1:20 a.m. on Monday morning, with the New York Giants slated to travel to Los Angeles to meet the Rams at 1:15 a.m.
on Tuesday. Fans can look forward to the 2026 NFL season being available in its entirety on Sky Sports, including comprehensive coverage of every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Subscribers may also opt for a contract‑free streaming option through NOW, ensuring uninterrupted access to live football action throughout the season. Overall, the Giants' opening win not only demonstrated the effectiveness of Harbaugh's new coaching philosophy but also highlighted the successful integration of key players returning from injury.
The balanced attack—combining precise passing, effective rushing, and timely defensive plays—set a solid foundation for what could be a competitive season in the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will need to address discipline issues and tighten up their defensive schemes if they hope to bounce back in upcoming contests.