For most of Dak Prescott’s career, playing the New York Giants has almost felt automatic.
Prescott is 14-3 against New York, throwing for 4,346 yards and 31 touchdowns with a 101.5 passer rating. The Cowboys have controlled this rivalry for the better part of the last decade, and even when the games have been close, Dallas has usually found a way to come out on top.
But this is not the Giants of years past.
John Harbaugh takes over a team that already showed some promise last season, including Jaxson Dart leading New York to a win over Dallas in the final week of the year. Now Harbaugh has started putting his fingerprints all over the roster, bringing several familiar faces with him from Baltimore and building an offense that could look considerably different from what Dallas has grown accustomed to seeing from the Giants.
That makes New York somewhat of a wild card entering Week 1. There is no regular-season film of this Giants team under Harbaugh yet, and Dallas will have to adjust quickly to whatever New York throws at them Sunday night.
Expect the Giants to run the football
If there is one thing I feel confident saying about this Giants offense, it is that they are going to try to establish the run.
Harbaugh brought fullback Patrick Ricard with him from Baltimore, and that move alone tells you plenty about the type of offense New York wants to become. Ricard spent years serving as the lead blocker in Baltimore’s physical rushing attack and already understands exactly what Harbaugh wants from his running game.
Expect to see plenty of heavier personnel packages, including 21 personnel with two backs and one tight end and potentially 22 personnel with two backs and two tight ends. New York has worked throughout the summer with Ricard on the field alongside multiple tight ends, giving the Giants plenty of options to create a physical downhill rushing attack.
Cam Skattebo is currently listed atop the depth chart and fits that identity perfectly. New York also added Najee Harris this offseason, and despite Harris being buried further down the initial depth chart, I would not be surprised if his snap count looks considerably different by the time Sunday’s game is over. Harris is another powerful runner who can put his head down and consistently get what is available.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. gives New York a different element as a receiver and third-down option, while former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely gives Harbaugh another familiar player who can help disguise what the Giants want to do from heavier formations.
The challenge for Dallas will be winning early downs. If the Cowboys allow New York to consistently create second-and-manageable and third-and-short situations, Harbaugh can keep his entire offense available.
Don’t make Jaxson Dart’s job easy
The other unknown is what Year 2 will look like for Jaxson Dart.
Dart showed plenty of potential during his rookie season, and Cowboys fans don’t need much of a reminder after he helped New York beat Dallas in Week 18. He can make plays with his arm, but his ability to escape the pocket and create with his legs adds another element that Christian Parker’s defense will have to account for.
Still, I don’t think New York wants Dart dropping back 35 or 40 times Sunday night.
There are some similarities to what Dallas did with Dak Prescott early in his career. The Cowboys built things around the running game and tried to make life easier on their young quarterback rather than asking him to carry the entire offense. I expect New York to do something similar with Dart.
Run the football. Use play action. Get the ball out quickly. Give him defined reads and allow his athleticism to take over when plays break down.
That’s why Dallas needs to make him uncomfortable.
The Giants’ interior offensive line is one area the Cowboys should be able to attack. If Quinnen Williams and the rest of this defensive front can create pressure through the middle while keeping Dart contained, Dallas can force New York away from the type of game it wants to play.
Make Dart beat you as a passer rather than allowing Harbaugh to control the game around him.
Dallas’ tackles will be tested immediately
On the other side of the football, there is one matchup I will be watching more than any other: Dallas’ offensive tackles against the Giants’ edge rushers.
Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux give New York a dangerous group of pass rushers, and that isn’t exactly an ideal Week 1 matchup considering some of the concerns Dallas had at tackle throughout training camp.
Tyler Guyton needs to take another step, and Terence Steele has to hold up on the opposite side. The Cowboys can have all the creativity they want offensively, but none of it matters if Dak doesn’t have time to operate.
That makes getting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens involved early even more important.
Giants cornerback Greg Newsome II has already talked about New York potentially having the best cornerback room in football. George Pickens didn’t exactly seem ready to agree with that assessment.
Now Dallas gets an opportunity to settle it on the field.
Lamb and Pickens should present matchup problems for this secondary, and I would like to see Dallas test it early. If the Cowboys can create explosive plays through the air and force New York to dedicate additional resources toward slowing down the passing game, lighter boxes should eventually create opportunities for Javonte Williams and the running game.
For years, Dallas has entered games against the Giants knowing exactly what to expect.
Sunday night feels different.
Harbaugh has already started changing the identity of this team, and Week 1 will be our first real opportunity to see what the new-look Giants actually are. Dallas may still have the more talented roster, but figuring out exactly what Harbaugh has planned could be the Cowboys’ first challenge of the 2026 season.
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