New York Giants fans couldn't have asked for a better start to the 2026 season and to the John Harbaugh era. The Giants took on the rival Dallas Cowboys, who have dominated in the win column in head-to-head matchups in recent years. Add in the primetime element on Sunday night, and fans look back to the 40-0 drubbing back in 2023. But, those nerves were put to rest by halftime.
The Giants defeated the Cowboys 28-20 to shock the NFL world. While the score would indicate that it was a close game, it sure didn't feel like it if you watched the game. The Giants offense dominated the Cowboys defense, due in part they were able to run the ball against them effectively, constantly. It was the smash mouth style of football that Harbaugh was known for building during his time as head coach for the Baltimore Ravens. They weakened Dallas' defense and killed the clock with ease.
While watching the game and the aftermath, Giants fans may have thought to themselves, "this game might have been a blowout if those penalties hadn't been called to help extend Dallas' scoring drives." If you were a fan with that thought, one player in the Giants locker room felt the same way.
Jermaine Eluemunor says penalties almost exclusively helped Cowboys remain in the game
After the game, Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor expressed his belief that they truly dominated the Cowboys on both sides of the football. Eluemunor said that the only reason why the Cowboys were able to get downfield was due to penalties benefitting them.
"Watch the film - we handled them on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball. The only time they got down the field was on penalties," said Eluemunor, h/t SNY. "If they didn't have penalties to help them, this game wouldn't have been close at all."
If you watched the game, you know there were some very controversial penalties that helped out the Cowboys. Ironically, all three scoring drives by Dallas featured a penalty called by the referees on the Giants that helped them move downfield.
In the second quarter, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott attempted a deep pass while getting hit. It was an underthrown pass, which caused wide receiver George Pickens to stop his route, where he then jumped into Giants cornerback Greg Newsome to attempt a catch. Yet, Newsome was called for pass interference, moving the Cowboys 19-yards downfield. That then culminated in the Cowboys tying the game on a one-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
On Dallas' first of what would be two second half drives, they got some help in the form of a defensive pass interference penalty on Andru Phillips while he was covering Lamb. Phillips was called for the same penalty again in the end zone on what was an overthrown pass from Prescott to Lamb. Dallas would cut their deficit to 21-14 on a one-yard touchdown run from Javonte Williams.
Then, on their final offensive drive of the second half, the Ginats did earn a deserved penalty after safey Jevon Holland hit wide receiver Ryan Flournoy well out of bounds to tack on an additional 15-yards on a 17-yard gain due to unnecessary roughness.
On two of those drives, you can make the argument that the Cowboys received massive assists on ticky-tacky calls from the on-field officials. Still, the Giants did a good job of ensuring that they didn't matter.
Giants showcase how they will dominate opponents this upcoming season
As mentioned earlier, Harbaugh let it be known from the start that he was looking to build up their rushing offense. They had the running backs on staff in Cam Skattebo, Devin Singletary, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. First up in free agency, Harbaugh brought in former Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard to help provide some additional blocking. Then with their second first-round pick, the Giants drafted Miami lineman Francis Mauigoa and planned on shifting him to right guard.
On Sunday, Ricard helped with blocking at the line of scrimmage and down the field. Not to mention, he gave quarterback Jaxson Dart a push on a sneak play to gain a first down. Oh, and Mauigoa was stout in his NFL debut, not allowing a single pressure.
Overall, the Giants established the run and then some, picking up 165 yards on 37 carries. In 29 first downs, 11 of them were via the run. Oh, and they killed the clock, which forced the Cowboys to have just two offensive drives in the entire second half.
If you wanted to know how the Giants plan on winning games this season, this is how. But, they have to ensure that penalties won't play a factor in the end result if they want to make these victories easier.
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