John Harbaugh's Giants on full display in bruising win over Cowboys to kick off NFL season

John Harbaugh’s Giants Defeat Dallas 28‑20 in First Game as New Head Coach

By Maine News Now
East Rutherford, N.J., September 26, 2026 – In a sold‑out MetLife Stadium, the New York Giants capped a hard‑nosed 28‑20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, giving head coach John Harbaugh a bright start to his first season after leaving the Baltimore Ravens.

Harbaugh, who signed a multi‑year contract earlier this month, said he was proud to take on the role and that the expectations and pedigree of the franchise required a new direction. “It’s a big responsibility,” he told reporters at a press conference. “I want to bring something special back to this club.”

The game’s opening drive set the tone. Giants defense forced a three‑and‑out on Dallas before the Giants’ offense, led by rookie wide‑receiver Jaxson Dart and quarterback Cam Skattebo, went on a 10‑play, 83‑yard drive that consumed six minutes and 13 seconds. Skattebo capped the effort with a 12‑yard touchdown run. Harbaugh later commented that he was not a fan of Skattebo’s celebratory backflip after the play.

New‑Giants offense relied heavily on the run. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and run‑game coordinator Greg Roman designed 37 rushing attempts that yielded 165 yards—more than double the Cowboys’ 69. The ball‑carrying crew used a mix of power runs and creative play‑calling, forcing the Cowboys to adapt to a ground‑and‑pound approach that had long been a hallmark of the Giants’ identity.

Key players included:

• Isaiah Likely – The rookie wide receiver finished the game with 78 yards on eight catches, including two of Dart’s three touchdown passes.
• Malik Nabers – After missing most of last season with a torn ACL, Nabers returned to the lineup, catching six passes for 69 yards. Trainers cleared him to play after a full evaluation.
• Odell Beckham Jr. – Beckham made the 53‑man roster but did not catch a pass, as Dart focused on other receivers.

The Giants’ defense proved stout early, forcing Dallas to three‑and‑outs on multiple occasions. The defense also recorded the first two sacks of the game, while the offense converted nine of 11 third‑down attempts. Dallas managed eight of 11 third‑downs but were unable to sustain drives that translated into points.

The victory was the Giants’ first of the season and the first under Harbaugh’s leadership. It also marked the first time a Giants team had won a game in its opening week since 2019. Harbaugh’s emphasis on returning the franchise to its old‑school, hard‑nosed character seemed to resonate, and the fans were visibly energized by the 80,000‑plus crowd.

“Seeing the team play like the Giants of the past, but with fresh energy, is exactly what we wanted,” said Harbaugh in the post‑game interview. “We’re building momentum, and this game is a good sign of where we’re headed.”

With the Cowboys still adjusting to their revamped roster, the Giants look poised to continue their resurgence under Harbaugh. The team will aim to sustain the strong defensive effort and capitalize on its running game in the weeks ahead.