The Dallas Cowboys kicked off the season against the New York Giants, and it gave them a shot to get a big win in the NFC East. Many thought it would happen due to the Cowboys dominance against the Giants over the last decade, but things didn’t turn out that way.
For the game, Dallas only amassed 244 total yards and they held the ball for just over 23 minutes. The running game was virtually nonexistent as the Cowboys gained a pedestrian 69 yards while averaging only 3.8 yards per carry. Defensively,
the gave up nine conversions on eleven third down plays by the Giants. Not ideal at all.
The Cowboys have a lot to clean up before playing the Washington Commanders this Sunday in their home opener. Before that takes place, let’s dive into three things we learned about Dallas in Week 1.
It’s going to take time for Christian Parker’s defense to gel
One of the additions to the Cowboys that had people the most excited during the offseason was defensive coordinator Christian Parker. However, many forgot the fact that although he has a great football mind, Sunday night was his first time calling plays for a defense in a real game, and it showed. Parker was thoroughly out coached by Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and the most alarming part was the lack of adjustments he made when things weren’t going well.
It’s only the first game for Parker in this role, which does give him some grace. Plus, there’s a ton of new players and his system is also new, and running it in training camp and the preseason isn’t the same as when the regular season starts. So, Parker has to get back to the drawing board before Week 2, and even if they do play better, it will take some time to get everything flowing the way he wants it to.
Penalties are still an issue
In 2025, the Cowboys lead the NFL with 133 penalties and they were second in most yards penalized with 1,136. They didn’t get off to a good start this season in that regard as they were called for nine penalties against the Giants which totaled 90 yards. This is glaring issue that somehow keeps plaguing Dallas regardless of who the coach has been over the last decade.
The biggest, and without question the most costly penalty, came late in the fourth quarter when running back Javonte Williams got a taunting penalty after he scored a touchdown which led to a missed extra point by kicker Brandon Aubrey. The Cowboys had planned to go for a two-point conversion there, but the penalty changed their minds. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has got to find a way to get this problem rectified.
Lack of pass rush is concerning
Dallas simply could not make life difficult for Jaxson Dart on Sunday night. The rushed him with four players on 20 plays, but the only generated two pressures. Whenever they decided to blitz him, he either made plays with his legs or found wide open targets. It routinely happened as the Giants carved the Cowboys up third down which led to over 36 minutes of time of possession.
This issue is one that the Cowboys will have a hard time overcoming because they don’t have the talent up front defensively to consistently get pressure although they have Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark on the interior. They have time to make improvements, but how much they can do so without the right type of players is the question. This will likely be a season long thing.
