EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Before his Dallas Cowboys fell to the New York Giants 28-20 to open the 2026 regular season, Jerry Jones admitted to being “nervous” and “anxious” during an appearance on Dallas radio.
The Cowboys owner and CEO told 105.3 The Fan "my biggest concern is: Can we block them up?"
His fears played out over the next three-plus hours, as the Giants’ defensive front made quarterback Dak Prescott uncomfortable but did not dominate the game. That distinction belonged to the Giants' offensive line, which bullied the Cowboys’ new-look unit under first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The entire team was flagged seven times in the first half.
Through the first three quarters of the game, the Giants rushed 21 times for 105 yards
(5.0 per carry). Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was an efficient 16-of-20 passing with two touchdowns to tight end Isaiah Likely at the same juncture, and the Giants were 9-for-10 on third down and led 21-14.
Before Sunday, the Cowboys were 10-1 against the Giants in Week 1 games.
Circumstances did not improve for the Cowboys in the fourth quarter. The Giants capped another drive that lasted more than eight minutes with a touchdown to make it 28-14 and the Cowboys could not complete a comeback. Javonte Williams' touchdown with 5:21 remaining cut it to 28-20, but he was flagged for taunting and kicker Brandon Aubrey missed the 48-yard extra point – backed up 15 yards as a result of the penalty.
The Giants once again used their rushing attack to ice the game, as the Cowboys' defense could not get off the field to give Prescott and the offense a chance to tie the game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jerry Jones was 'nervous' before Cowboys played Giants – he was right to be
