The full 2026 NFL schedule is set to release on Thursday, but we already know who the Dallas Cowboys will play in Week 1.
On Monday, the league announced that the Cowboys will travel to MetLife Stadium to square off against their division rivals, the New York Giants, to open the season. The game will take place on Sunday Night Football, marking the second straight year Dallas plays on primetime in Week 1.
Though going on the road for the first game of the year isn't ideal, the Giants are actually the perfect Week 1 matchup for the Cowboys.
Why Giants are perfect Week 1 matchup for Cowboys
New York is entering 2026 with a new head coach in John Harbaugh, who will be tasked with turning around a franchise that has posted just one winning season since 2016.
The Giants also have a ton of fresh faces on offense, as tight end Isaiah Likely, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and fullback Patrick Ricard are all new starters.
This bodes well for the Cowboys, as it could take some time for the new-look New York offense to gel, especially with star receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo returning from season-ending leg injuries.
The Giants' defense also underwent some changes this offseason, with Dennard Wilson coming in as defensive coordinator. The unit is slated to have two new starters at linebacker in Arvell Reese and Tremaine Edmunds, and the secondary is also different with Greg Newsome II now in the fold and Cor'Dale Flott departing to the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
As for Dallas, they didn't overhaul the offense much this offseason, and with Brian Schottenheimer returning as head coach and offensive playcaller, the unit is experienced, battle-tested, and knows how to play together.
However, the Cowboys did reset the defense by bringing in Christian Parker as defensive coordinator and making a big-time trade for edge rusher Rashan Gary. Dallas also spent their two first-round picks on defensive players, versatile defensive back Caleb Downs at No. 11 and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 24.
Overall, the Cowboys are much more experienced than the Giants, and with Dallas not making many changes on offense, the group should pick up right where they left off in 2025 and post dynamic production. New York has a ton of new pieces on both sides of the ball and could start slowly under Harbaugh as they work to build chemistry, making them an ideal opening-week matchup for the Cowboys.