Dallas Cowboys fans have grown accustomed to seeing the New York Giants on the schedule in Week 1 to the point that it almost feels like a running joke. 

But this is a legitimately exciting matchup. Dallas fields a new-look defense that could either validate the national media’s contender talk or expose the same defensive struggles that plagued the team a year ago. On the other side, John Harbaugh makes his Giants debut on primetime at MetLife Stadium with quarterback Jaxson Dart entering his second season, a ferocious pass rush, and the possibility of wide receiver Malik Nabers suiting up. 

It won’t be an easy game to win on the road, but below are the three keys to victory for the Cowboys. 

Dak Prescott better be ready to throw it quickly

The single biggest storyline for this game comes down to one question: can Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott get the ball out fast?

The Giants may have question marks across their roster, but their pass rush is among the best in the NFL. New York boasts Abdul Carter, Brian Burns (one of the league’s most established edge rushers), and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux hasn’t lived up to his top-5 draft pedigree, but as a third edge rusher, he gives the Giants a serious rotation. Then there’s the X factor: rookie linebacker Arvell Reese out of Ohio State, also a top-5 pick, who will play off-ball but figures to be heavily involved in blitz packages.

Making matters worse for Dallas, the Cowboys will be without their best offensive lineman, Tyler Smith. TJ Bass is a quality backup who could start for several teams in the league, but it’s not the same communication, nor the same continuity. The Giants are going to try to exploit that. Right tackle Terrence Steele is going to lose reps. Even left tackle Tyler Guyton, for all the improvement we’ve discussed, is going to lose reps in this game.

The question is whether Prescott can make up for it with quick decisions and a short passing attack. Think about what Brock Purdy did to the LA Rams on Thursday night (or Friday morning, I guess). The Rams, even with Myles Garrett, could not generate pressure because Purdy was getting rid of the football fast and Kyle Shanahan’s scheming gave him easy outlets. The Cowboys should enter with a similar game plan.

That leads to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. As excited as everyone is about George Pickens’s 2026 season, this feels more like a Lamb game. Working from the slot, giving Prescott quick catches, and racking up yards after the catch is Lamb’s specialty. The Giants’ cornerback room, despite Greg Newsome’s claim that it’s the best in the NFL, has real questions. New York will start Newsome alongside either Paulson Adebo or Deonte Banks, and that uncertainty tells you everything.

Lamb remains one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and the Giants don’t have the nickel personnel to limit him. Last year, after calling his shot against nickelback Dru Phillips, Lamb caught nine passes for 112 yards in Week 2. Give me seven-plus catches for CeeDee on Sunday night.

Containing Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart’s legs

Defensively, there are real concerns. If Nabers plays, Cowboys fans already know what he’s capable of. He torched Dallas for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. Cornerbacks Cobie Durant and DaRon Bland are solid starters, but there’s a lot we don’t know about them under the Sunday Night Football lights.

Defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s game plan should focus on bracketing Nabers with safety help and forcing Dart to win with the rest of New York’s receiving corps. That group consists of OBJ, third-round rookie Malachi Fields, Darnell Mooney, and that’s it. The Giants surprisingly cut Darius Slayton earlier in the week. If Nabers is neutralized or doesn’t play, Dart will have to lean heavily on tight end Isaiah Likely, which limits the Giants’ offense considerably.

The X factor that concerns me is Dart using his legs. He’s a bit reckless, which is the Giants’ problem, but the Cowboys have struggled against mobile quarterbacks over the years. Vic Fangio’s defensive staple is not limiting running quarterbacks. Edge rushers will need to contain rather than just attack, and linebackers Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown better be ready at the second level to pursue and bring Dart down. First-round rookie safety Caleb Downs could also play a huge role tackling Dart in the open field. His NFL debut is going to be a baptism by fire.

Don’t sleep on special teams

One more thing: John Harbaugh is known for his special teams emphasis. If the Cowboys aren’t ready in that phase, New York could generate some game-swinging plays. Expect tricks, expect Harbaugh to go all in early to set the tone. Dallas cannot afford to be caught off guard on kickoffs and punt returns.

If the Cowboys are who we think they are, they should handle the Giants. Dallas is the better team on paper, but the Giants’ pass rush, Dart’s mobility, and Harbaugh’s special teams acumen could keep this closer than the talent gap suggests.