NFL schedule makers clearly believe interest in the Dallas Cowboys–New York Giants rivalry has been renewed, and for good reason.
The league is leaking some prime-time matchups ahead of the schedule release on Thursday (NFL Network/ESPN 2, 8 p.m. ET). On Monday, it announced the Giants will host the Cowboys in Week 1 on “Sunday Night Football” on Sept. 13 (NBC/Peacock, 8:20 p.m. ET).
It’s the first time the Giants and Cowboys have been slated for the Week 1 “SNF” slot since the 2023 season. Dallas crushed New York 40-0 in that game. Unlike that blowout, this matchup could be worth tuning into.
Why the Giants-Cowboys rivalry suddenly looks interesting again
New York has gone 7-27 over the past two seasons. The Giants’ hiring of new head coach John Harbaugh, however, gives something the fan base desperately needs: hope.
Harbaugh became the ultimate coaching free agent after the Baltimore Ravens fired him following an 8-9 season in 2025. In his first 17 seasons with the AFC North team, he was much more successful, leading it to a Super Bowl title in 2012 and to six division titles.
In Baltimore, Harbaugh coached quarterback Lamar Jackson for eight seasons. He clearly believes Giants second-year QB Jaxson Dart can become a star like the four-time Pro Bowler. The 25th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft was named an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist after logging 24 touchdowns (15 passing and nine rushing) in 14 games.
“One of the many great things about Jaxson Dart is he does so many things so well. He can live in many different worlds,” Harbaugh said at the annual league meetings in Arizona in March. “I’m not sure what he really can’t do.”
The Cowboys, meanwhile, went 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs for a second straight season in 2025. However, Dallas could be poised to improve after investing heavily in its 32nd-ranked scoring defense (30.1 points per game) during the 2026 draft.
That included selecting safety Caleb Downs with pick No. 11 after a trade with the Miami Dolphins. The 2024 national champion made a strong impression during the first practice of rookie minicamp on May 1.
“[Downs] is what we thought,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “The person, elite. The intelligence, elite.”
Dallas shouldn’t have to worry about its offense. If QB Dak Prescott remains healthy, he should be in for another productive year. In 2025, he ranked third in the league in passing yards (4,552 in 17 games), fourth in TD passes (30) and fifth in QBR (70.2).
The coaching and roster improvements for both squads could have them in play for an NFC East title. ESPN’s Mike Clay predicted Dallas (10.1 projected wins) to finish second in the division and New York (7.4 projected wins) to place third in his annual projections guide. With both clubs possibly ascending, the Giants-Cowboys rivalry could once again become appointment TV.
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