Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer called the 28-20 loss to the New York Giants one of the most disappointing season-opening defeats he's seen, citing poor performance on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys' rebuilt defense allowed New York to convert 9 of 11 third-down attempts, and Dak Prescott's offense managed just two possessions in the second half after a slow start. Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards, continuing his recent struggles against the Giants with two straight losses after a 14-game winning streak.

The Cowboys had only seven possessions, one coming with 20 seconds left in the first half after an interception returned for a touchdown by Jaxson Dart to Isaiah Likely. Defensive miscommunications plagued a unit with eight new starters from 2025, as Dee Winters and Da Ron Bland jumped an underneath route, allowing Likely to score. Prescott said he tried to throw the ball away under duress before Jevon Holland's interception.

The Giants' offense controlled the ball for 21 minutes, 33 seconds in the second half, rushing for 165 yards on 37 carries. Dart became the fifth QB in NFL history with at least three touchdown passes and 50 rushing yards in a season opener. Malik Hooker left with a fractured forearm.

Quinnen Williams urged accountability, saying the defensive room has the talent to improve. Prescott emphasized consistency: 'don't change, don't flinch, don't blink. This is a long year.'.