NFL schedule release teaser: Giants hosting Cowboys in Week 1

The historic NFC rivalry, featured in the primetime Sunday Night Football slot, brings a series of exciting storylines that promise NFL fans a game to remember.

Here's everything you need to know.

Cowboys vs. Giants: Kickoff date, time and venue

• UK (BST): Monday, September 14, at 1:20am
• US (ET): Sunday, September 13, at 8:20pm
• US (PT): Sunday, September 13, at 5:20pm
• Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Home to the Giants and New York Jets, MetLife Stadium has a capacity of 82,500. It will serve as one of the host stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals.

Sarah Stier / Staff

Cowboys vs. Giants: How to watch

International broadcast details, including availability on DAZN to NFL Game Pass subscribers, will be confirmed closer to the date.

In the US, the game will be broadcast on NBC, Peacock and NFL+.

Cowboys vs. Giants: Storylines and key players

Harbaugh makes his Giants coaching debut

The matchup will mark the first regular-season game of the John Harbaugh era as he begins his tenure as the new head coach of the New York Giants.

Despite leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win, Harbaugh was fired as the Baltimore head coach in January after 18 years with the team.

He is tasked with inspiring a turnaround for a Giants side which finished 4-13 last season.

Giants key players

Jaxson Dart enters his second season as the franchise quarterback, and after showing glimpses of superstar potential in 2025, expectations are high entering the new campaign.

Running back Cam Skattebo developed somewhat of a cult following last year for his hard-nosed running style. He leads a deep backfield unit capable of taking things to a new level in 2026.

Wideout Malik Nabers played only four games in 2025 after suffering a knee injury in September, but he's participating in offseason workouts and is on target to pick up where he left off after a sensational 2024 rookie season.

Tight end Isaiah Likely, who joined Big Blue in free agency, teams up with fellow new arrivals Darnell Mooney, third-round rookie Malachi Fields, and holdover Darius Slayton to complete a deep group of pass-catchers.

All eyes will be on linebacker Arvell Reese, New York's first-round draft pick and the fifth player taken overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, as he makes his debut for his new side.

Emilee Chinn / Staff

He'll pair with fellow rookie, cornerback Colton Hood, veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds - a top free agent acquisition - and star edge rushers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter on what should be an improved defense.

Cowboys head coach Schottenheimer eyes improvement

On the opposite sideline, Dallas' Brian Schottenheimer enters year two having gone 7-9-1 in his debut season as a head coach in 2025.

He's joined on the coaching staff by a new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, fuelling hopes for a return to the postseason after a two-year absence.

Cowboys key players

Quarterback Dak Prescott enters his 11th season with Dallas, leading what should once again be an explosive passing offense that finished first in total yards last year.

CeeDee Lamb is no longer the only star at wideout, with George Pickens returning for a second year after signing his franchise tag.

Arguably the best pair of wideouts in football, Dallas' hopes against the Giants - and the 2026 season - depend largely on whether Lamb and Pickens can repeat the kind of numbers they achieved last season.

Running back Javonte Williams, who enjoyed a breakout year in 2025, completes the group of key offensive personnel, along with tight end Jake Ferguson, who provides a constant red zone threat.

The Cowboys' defense, so often disappointing last season, is desperate to rewrite the narrative, and there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

Standout former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, whom the Cowboys traded up to select in the 2026 NFL Draft, was regarded among the best defensive players in the draft class.

Emilee Chinn / Staff

Star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams hopes to combine with promising second-year edge Donovan Ezeiruaku and new signing Rashan Gary to create a dangerous defensive line.

There could also be debuts for linebacker Dee Winters and rookie first-round edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, the team's 23rd overall selection in April.

Cowboys vs. Giants: Key matchups

Prescott vs. Dart

The headline event and biggest differentiator in almost every game is quarterback vs quarterback.

When a game features two high-profile, extremely talented players like Prescott and Dart, the matchup between the game's two gunslingers becomes even more crucial.

Can the veteran outproduce the dynamic second-year upstart? The game may hinge on the outcome.

Lamb, Pickens, and Ferguson vs. the Giants' secondary

The Cowboys boast arguably the top wide receiver duo in the league, capable of putting up serious yardage even against the best NFL secondaries.

When defenses double Lamb and Pickens, Ferguson is a constant threat to score.

The Giants' defensive backs, including cornerbacks Greg Newsome, Dru Phillips, rookie Hood, and the safety pairing of Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, must be on their game.

Limiting the effectiveness of Dallas' trio will be crucial if New York is to emerge victorious.

Nabers and Likely vs. the Cowboys' remodelled secondary

Dallas' secondary was arguably the worst in the league in 2025, finishing dead last in passing yards allowed (4521), and 31st in touchdowns (35).

If they are to improve, the existing personnel must raise their game, and Downs and fellow new arrival at safety Jalen Thompson must start fast.

Are the new additions enough to contain the elite talent of Nabers and the athleticism of Likely?

Nabers dominated in this matchup last year, torching the Dallas secondary to the tune of 13 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

New Cowboys' defensive coordinator Christian Parker will be tasked with helping his unit prevent a repeat performance.

Cooper Neill

If Dallas somehow manages to limit the effectiveness of Nabers and Likely, it will give the Cowboys a real edge.

The Cowboys' offensive line vs. the Giants' imposing defensive line

Brian Burns finished second behind Myles Garrett with 16.5 sacks last year. 2025 first-rounder Abdul Carter started slowly, but he finished the year on a hot streak and is a strong bet to carry over that form to 2026.

Containing that duo will be a tough task for a Cowboys' offensive line, particularly for right tackle Terrence Steele, who allowed more pressures than any offensive tackle in 2025 (52).

With Reese likely to bring his pass-rush talents to bear when blitzing from an off-ball role on a handful of plays, Dallas' line will have to be at its best.

Cowboys vs. Giants: All-time series record

Dallas leads the all-time series 78-48-2 and has dominated over the last nine years, winning an impressive 16 of the 18 contests dating back to 2017.

The two sides split last season's meetings. Dallas won a 40-37 overtime thriller in Week 2, before Jaxson Dart put up 262 total yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 Giants win in the season finale.

Ignore last year's records; with the influx of new personnel and coaches, these two teams have a legitimate chance to look entirely different in 2026.

With the pressure of getting the 2026 campaign off to a fast start, you should strap in for what promises to deliver a pulsating, edge-of-your-seat season-opening Week 1 clash.