The New York Giants opened their 2026 NFL season with a 28-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, marking a notable turnaround in several long-standing team struggles. This win came in the debut game for head coach John Harbaugh, who was hired to lead the franchise out of a challenging period marked by repeated early losses and difficulty winning key divisional matchups.

Prior to Sunday, the Giants had faced a history of setbacks against the Cowboys, including an eight-game losing streak in season-opening primetime games dating back to 1986, and a 1-14 record in their last 15 meetings against Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. Additionally, the team had not won a Week 1 home game since 2010, and entered the game coming off a season marked by multiple blown fourth-quarter leads.

Harbaugh’s presence appeared to inspire both the players and fans, as the atmosphere at MetLife Stadium was charged with energy from pregame tributes and player introductions, notably including the returns of Odell Beckham Jr., Malik Nabers, and Cam Skattebo after long absences due to trades and injuries. Harbaugh’s calm demeanor and leadership were evident throughout the game, with players expressing confidence in the culture he is building.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart delivered a strong performance, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. The offense, coordinated by Matt Nagy, effectively moved the ball, especially converting key third downs that helped maintain possession late in the game. Notable offensive contributions included Malik Nabers’ six receptions for 69 yards, Isaiah Likely’s eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and Skattebo’s 81 rushing yards and a touchdown scored with a memorable handstand backflip.

Defensively, the Giants’ unit showed improvement under new coordinator Dennard Wilson by limiting the Cowboys’ first-half scoring and forcing critical stops, despite not recording a sack. Edge rusher Brian Burns noted the team fed off the crowd’s energy and executed in the final stages to preserve their lead.

The win serves as an early indicator of progress for the Giants, who aim to reverse a decade-long pattern of poor performances within the NFC East division. Their struggles in divisional play have contributed to a broader inability to contend consistently, with only sporadic winning records against their rivals in recent years.

Ownership’s confidence in Harbaugh was on display when co-owner John Mara, who is currently battling cancer, honored the head coach with a game ball after the victory. Harbaugh, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract, expressed pride in the team’s effort and the environment surrounding the game.

While the season is still young, this initial success offers a hopeful sign for Giants fans anticipating a return to competitiveness and a shift in the franchise’s longstanding narrative against the Cowboys and within the division.