The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2026 season opener against the New York Giants with high hopes, but those were quickly dashed in a 28-20 loss. It’s tough to win on the road in the NFL, especially against a divisional opponent, but the Cowboys were manhandled in an embarrassing defeat.
This was supposed to be a different Cowboys team. Brian Schottenheimer’s group was supposed to have a much-improved defense under Christian Parker to couple with a nearly unstoppable offense. Many felt beating the Giants to get off to a quick start was merely a formality on the way to the winners circle. Unfortunately, the Cowboys didn’t look anything like contenders. There were some positive performers, but they were outweighed by too many dismal showings. Here
are the winners and losers in the Cowboys’ season-opening beatdown by the Giants.
Loser: Brian Schottenheimer
The first game of the season is a time to set the tone and show your team you believe in them, especially early. Instead, Schottenheimer cowered in the game’s initial big moment.
On the Cowboys’ first possession, the offense was faced with a 4th-and-inches on their own 37-yard line. Instead of grabbing the game by the throat and taking all the momentum early, Schottenheimer chose to punt. And the Giants responded by going 83 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown. It was a lead they never relinquished.
It was the Giants who seized the momentum and set the tone for the game instead of the Cowboys.
Schottenheimer was one of the most timid coaches on fourth down opportunities last year, and he didn’t learn his lesson. One decision, just a minute and a half into the game, felt like it sent the wrong message and the Cowboys never recovered from the mistake.
Winner: Javonte Williams
The running back came to play, scoring two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air. It was tough sledding for the Cowboys’ ground game, but Williams managed to fight for 72 combined yards.
In a sluggish offensive performance, Williams was one of the best offensive players on the field for the Cowboys. The only thing that ruined his night was a silly taunting penalty after his receiving score.
Loser: Christian Parker
As one of the more lauded coaching hires in the NFL this offseason, all the new Dallas defensive coordinator had to do was make the team forget about former DC Matt Eberflus. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen as Parker’s defense fell flat on their face.
Things looked eerily similar to last year’sdefense. There were mix ups in coverage, poor tackling, and questionable defensive calls that made it too easy for the Giants’ offense.
It was bad near the end of the first half where Parker’s soft coverage gave the Giants a free touchdown, but it got worse in the second half when the Cowboys saw New York run the same play three times in four plays, a flat pass to RB Devin Singletary, culminating in a nine-yard score.
Devin Singletary just caught three passes out of the flat for 29 yards over the course of four plays. Left wide open each time. The final reception sees him run into the end zone for a touchdown.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) September 14, 2026
Giants in firm control with time running out.
Giants 28, Cowboys 14
7:26 left
The Giants also went 9-10 on third downs (not counting the kneel down), which was an atrocity. Parker’s got a lot of work to do to live up to a reputation he hasn’t earned.
Winner: Caleb Downs
There weren’t many big plays by the defense, but the rookie safety had one of the few highlights for the unit. Late in the second quarter, Downs came on a blitz, sacking Jaxson Dart with a crushing hit, causing a fumble.
Unfortunately, the Giants recovered the ball, but it was a big play from Downs, who got his first career sack and forced fumble in the same play.
Loser: George Pickens
As bad as the Cowboys played, they still had a chance to control the game late in the second quarter. After forcing a turnover on a fumble, Dallas’ offense had a chance to take the lead before half.
On 2nd-and-4, Dak Prescott threw a beautiful ball down the sideline to Pickens, who beat tight coverage but dropped the ball. If he catches it, Pickens might score, but at the very least, he sets the Cowboys up inside Giants territory near the end of the half with a chance to lead the game.
This George Pickens drop change the entire feel and trajectory of the game for the Cowboys #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/zt5cKytY4e
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) September 14, 2026
Instead, the drop set off a maddening chain of events that changed the game. It was a rough start to what is supposed to be a big year from Pickens.
Loser: Dak Prescott
Four plays after Pickens’ big drop, the veteran quarterback threw a mind-numbing interception in one of the plays of the game that cost the Cowboys. Prescott was pressured on 3rd-and-5 with 0:58 left in the half, threw off his back foot while trying to avoid the sack, and tried to throw the ball out of bounds.
Jevon Holland slides and dives for the interception on Dak Prescott 😲
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 14, 2026
What a play near the end of the half 🔥
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/9WGmnf4KXi
However, he didn’t get enough on the throw, and it was intercepted by Jevon Holland. It took six plays in just 29 seconds to go from being tied to down 14-7 at the half, in large part because of the Prescott interception.
It was an awful play from a QB who should know better.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Downs, Prescott headline Cowboys' Winners and Losers from Week 1
