Cowboys vs. Giants Week 1 Predictions: Expert Picks For NFC East Showdown

Check out which way experts are leaning in their predictions for the Week 1 game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) greets Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the field after the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants will open up their 2026 NFL season with a showdown on "Sunday Night Football" at MetLife Stadium in Week 1.

The Cowboys are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs for a second straight campaign. While the offense was totally up to snuff, the defense failed Dallas and was easily the biggest reason behind the Cowboys' 7-9-1 record.

Dallas has since made significant changes on the defensive side of the ball and there is hope things will be different in 2026.

It was yet another disastrous season for the Giants, who fired their head coach during the campaign and ultimately finished with a 4-13 record that cemented their third straight season without a postseason trip.

Like the Cowboys, the Giants have some hope this season as the team ushers in a new era under head coach John Harbaugh, who is looking to elevate Big Blue out of the mud and back to its glory days.

Ahead of this season-opening matchup, here's a look at who experts from different media outlets are predicting will win the contest. We've also provided our own prediction for the game.

MMQB

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks on before the game between the Cowboys and the Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Albert Breer: Cowboys
• Eva Geitheim: Cowboys
• Mitch Goldich: Cowboys
• Mike Kadlick: Cowboys
• Gilberto Manzano: Cowboys
• Conor Orr: Cowboys
• John Pluym: Cowboys
• Matt Verderame: Cowboys

ESPN

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Matt Bowen: Cowboys
• Mike Clay: Cowboys
• Jeremy Fowler: Cowboys
• Dan Graziano: Cowboys
• Kalyn Kahler: Cowboys
• Pamela Maldonado: Cowboys
• Eric Moody: Cowboys
• Jason Reid: Cowboys
• Ben Solak: Cowboys
• Lindsey Thiry: Cowboys
• Seth Wickersham: Cowboys

CBS Sports

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh looks up during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Pete Prisco: Cowboys
• Jared Dubin: Cowboys
• Ryan Wilson: Cowboys
• John Breech: Cowboys
• Tyler Sullivan: Giants
• Dave Richard: Cowboys
• Jamey Eisenberg: Cowboys

NFL.com

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) warms up prior to a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Jeremy Bergman: Cowboys
• Brooke Cersosimo: Giants
• Gennaro Filice: Cowboys
• Bobby Kownack: Cowboys
• Dan Parr: Cowboys

Final expert tally and our prediction

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks at training camp opening ceremonies at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• Cowboys: 29
• Giants: 2

Tell us how you really feel...

The overwhelming expectation among experts is the Cowboys are going to win this game over the Giants.

All of the experts at ESPN and Sports Illustrated's MMQB are going the same way, while just one expert at CBS Sports and NFL.com are going against the grain and picking the Giants.

We'll find out who was right and who was wrong when the NFC East foes clash on Sunday night.

My prediction

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) looks on during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dallas is projected to be the better team this season, and that's especially true on the offensive side of the ball, where Dallas is returning the same unit that ranked seventh in points in 2025.

But the Giants are an ascending team with a new head coach in John Harbaugh, a promising young quarterback in Jaxson Dart and a returning wide receiver in Malik Nabers, who showed superstar potential before his torn ACL.

The Giants have some pieces on defense, and in particular in their front seven with edge rusher Brian Burns and Abdul Carter and linebacker Arvell Reese.

But the Cowboys aren't doing too bad themselves on defense after a complete overhaul that breeds optimism after Dallas sported the worst defense in the NFL last season. Christian Parker's unit should be much improved.

I do believe the Giants are going to be a better team in the first year under Harbaugh, but it's going to take time. For now, the Cowboys continue their dominance of the Giants.

Final score prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 17

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