The New York Giants are set to host the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night to commence the 2026 regular season.
Though the Giants haven't won a Week 1 home game since the opening of MetLife Stadium — then called New Meadowlands Stadium — all the way back in 2010, there's a bit more optimism surrounding the team following an offseason of change.
New head coach John Harbaugh has brought with him a refreshing mentality while second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart is hoping to make a leap coming off a promising rookie campaign.
Though the Giants remain home underdogs, there are some key matchups that will have the biggest impact in determining the outcome of the game.
Let's take a look at three key matchups to keep an eye on in this rivalry
bout:
Giants secondary vs. CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens
Arguably the biggest matchup that will take place Sunday night comes on the defensive side of the ball for Big Blue. Even though new cornerback Greg Newsome II is feeling good about the secondary, calling the cornerback room the best in the NFL, the reality is that this group has a lot to prove. On top of that, the matchup is against one of the best wide receiver duos in the entire league.
If the Giants have any hope of staying in this game, it will come down to the likes of Newsome, Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, and Dru Phillips putting a cap on the production of both Lamb and Pickens. Lamb is coming off a down year that included battling through a shoulder injury, but he still managed 1,077 yards, while Pickens is coming off a career year that included 1,429 yards.
If the secondary can't keep up with this dynamic duo, it's going to be a long night in East Rutherford.
Cowboys DL Quinnen Williams vs. Giants interior OL
Like the matchup in the Giants' secondary, this is one that could make or break the entire game for Big Blue. If the interior offensive line fails to contain Williams, it's going to be a long night for Matt Nagy's offense. Fortunately, Dart has plenty of mobility, but it'd be preferred if he were not running for his life.
As center John Michael Schmitz Jr. enters the final year of his rookie contract, he's yet to prove that he deserves a new deal with the team that selected him No. 58 overall in 2023. Getting the season started on the right foot will be crucial for him, and he'll be tested immediately going up against Williams.
Giants WR Malik Nabers vs. Cowboys CB DaRon Bland
It appears that the Giants' superstar wideout is primed to make his return Sunday night after a torn ACL in Week 4 ended his season prematurely in 2025. We haven't seen Nabers and Dart fully together since the latter entered the league, so their dynamic will be interesting.
This matchup could be one that the Giants look to exploit in the passing game. Nabers' electric play lines up well against a cornerback in Bland who allowed 12.4 yards per reception and a 109.5 passer rating in coverage during the 2025 season, per Pro Football Focus.
In his first game back from injury, it's expected that Nabers will be a little rusty, but his talent offers him the opportunity to make a splash at any moment.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 1
