Tonight's Cowboys vs. Giants predictions dig into this opening-night divisional dance to deliver my best NFL picks for Sept. 13.
An old NFC East rivalry sports a fresh look when the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys square off for the first edition of Sunday Night Football in 2026.
New head coach John Harbaugh and a revamped New York coaching staff opened as 2.5-point home underdogs at MetLife Stadium, welcoming Dallas and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Those new faces bring plenty of unknowns — and valuable edges across SNF markets. I highlight my favorites below.
Cowboys vs Giants prediction: Over 47.5
Parker and New York Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson take the training wheels off their stop units on Sunday night. Both new DCs have similar issues: solid defensive front, shoddy secondary.
The Dallas Cowboys can poke the Giants’ soft spot with the best two-man receiving tandem in the league. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are a problem for the best defenses, not just doing damage deep but also helping the Cowboys register the fourth-most YAC last season.
If Dallas can hit some big plays early, it puts pressure on Giants’ new OC Matt Nagy to get away from his run-heavy schemes and pick up the pace, with more passing.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart has capable playmakers downfield, with speedster Darnell Mooney and WR1 Malik Nabers on the field. Nabers tore the Cowboys’ D a new one in Week 2 of last season.
COVERS INTEL: Dak Prescott owns the G-Men. Outside of light work in the 2025 finale, Prescott has passed for a collective 986 yards on 75% completions for eight touchdowns and two INTs in the previous three matchups with New York.
Cowboys vs Giants combo
This NFC East rivalry has produced plenty of points in recent years (3-1 O/U last four meetings) with the Cowboys doing the heavy lifting.
Given we have two brand new defenses debuting and plenty of offensive playmakers, I like the Over 47.5 points.
A George Pickens touchdown will help us fly past the number. He scored six of his nine TDs versus zone coverage in 2025. He faces a zone-centric scheme on SNF.
Dart is always a threat to run and could take off more as he gets used to taking snaps under center.
Cowboys vs Giants combo
- Over 47.5
- George Pickens anytime touchdown
- Jaxson Dart 30+ rushing yards
Cowboys vs Giants touchdown scorer: George Pickens
We haven’t even flipped the coin on Sunday Night Football, and Dallas WR George Pickens is already in a war of words with the Giants secondary.
Pickens, who fired back at CB Greg Newsome’s claim that New York has the best cornerback room, scored nine touchdowns in his first season with the Cowboys. That includes a fourth-quarter TD in a wild overtime win versus New York in Week 2.
Pickens is one of the best receivers versus zone coverage (rated 10th at PFF in 2025) and faces a zone-centric scheme from Wilson’s defense tonight. Six of his nine scores came against zone last year.
Given Week 1 projections, I’d play Pickens 1+ touchdown as high as 45%.
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TOP PICK
Cowboys vs Giants player prop: Jaxson Dart – Yes 30+ rushing yards
It won’t just be the Cowboys’ pass rush making Dart feel uncomfortable in Week 1. New OC Matt Nagy wants Dart to take more snaps under center.
That’s a big change from his college days and first year in the pros, with Dart primarily working out of the shotgun. Taking away that buffer will be a hard habit to break for the second-year QB.
Throw a Dallas front that ranked tops in pressure rate last season at him, and Dart will lose his cool and tuck and run rather than stand in the pocket.
On top of getting his number called for carries, my projections sit at 32+ yards, with some models as high as 36 rushing yards from Dart.
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Cowboys vs Giants odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Cowboys -2.5 | Giants +2.5
- Over/Under: Over 47.5 (52%) | Under 47.5 (49%)
- Moneyline: Cowboys 61% | Giants 41%
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Cowboys vs Giants weather
Rain earlier in the day is expected to pass before kickoff at MetLife Stadium.
Game-time temperatures will be in the high-70s but will feel like 83 degrees due to high humidity.
Wind gusts will top out at 11 mph, blowing WSW.
Check out our NFL weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
Cowboys vs Giants trend to know
The Cowboys have gone Over the total in 15 of their last 19 games for +10.60 units and a 51% ROI. That includes both games with the Giants in 2025. Find more NFL betting trends for Cowboys vs. Giants.
How to watch Cowboys vs Giants
| Location | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Date | Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
Cowboys vs Giants latest injuries
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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