Two NFC East rivals collide as Jaxson Dart leads a revamped Giants roster against Dallas's explosive new defense in a high-stakes kickoff to the Sunday night season.
The NFL doesn't have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to getting fans to tune in. Especially when it comes to Week 1 of the NFL season. 2026's Week 1 Sunday Night Football matchup is just the latest example.
Monday morning, the NFL announced that the first Sunday night matchup of the season will be between two market juggernauts, each seemingly trending in the right direction. The Dallas Cowboys will travel to take on the New York Giants to open their seasons in prime time, under the national lights.
Two of the largest markets in football, Dallas and New York will face off in Week 1 for the eighth time in the last 15 seasons. For more on that track record and what it means for Cowboys fans, Cowboys Roundtable writer Adam Schultz has more.
The matchup will also draw numbers by the sheer interest in the open week of action. For many, the return of football Sundays is a collective experience. A moment many have awaited since the Super Bowl game in February. With the NFL's schedule release on the way Thursday, May 14, this early schedule news is a welcome sight to many NFL fans' eyes.
The Cowboys and Giants are both teams that look to be ready to climb the ladder inside of their divisions as well, both looking to rebound from sub-par seasons last year and having added some elite talent to their defenses in the process.
New York traded away nose tackle Dexter Lawrence this offseason, but in the NFL Draft, the team turned its No. 5 and No. 10 overall selections into elite Ohio State defender Arvell Reese and Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa, who is set to help bookend an offensive line protecting Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Meanwhile the Cowboys landed an Ohio State Buckeyes defender of their own in safety Caleb Downs as well as electrifying UCF pass rusher Malachi Lawrence.
Both teams are brimming with talent on both sides of the ball with all of the promise of their 0-0 records to start off the season.
The first Sunday night game, scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 13 is sure to be a must-watch between these two rebounding clubs.