It might only be May, but like every other fan base, New York Giants fans are impatiently awaiting the start of the 2026 NFL season. It can't get here soon enough, but for now, we'll have to live with schedule release week being the best we can get.
Speaking of the schedule release, the Giants learned a bit early who they would be taking on in Week 1. Before the entire season's calendar was officially released, it was announced that the Giants would be hosting their bitter rival, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 1.
Not only that, but to kick off the season, it'll be Jaxson Dart vs. Dak Prescott on Sunday Night Football. Could it get any better?
The only way it could get better is with the Giants ultimately pulling off a win. The Giants have won the most recent matchup, after all. But, immediately after the schedule news, one Cowboys expert told us to temper expections.
Said Jerry Trotta of The Landry Hat:
"The Giants finally exorcised their Cowboys demons in 2025, snapping a losing streak against Dallas that dated back to 2020. The common denominator in both Giants' wins? Dak Prescott either didn’t play or failed to finish the game. That won’t be the case come September."
The New York Giants' Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys came with an asterisk, and we know it
First of all, Giants fans know good and well that the Week 18 game to end the 2025 season was a bit fluky. Yes, Dak Prescott didn't play the whole game and neither did a bunch of Cowboys starters.
Trotta also pointed that out in our conversation.
"Giants fans love reminding everyone that Jaxson Dart is 1-0 against the Cowboys, but Dallas treated that January matchup like a preseason game by resting Prescott and several other starters after halftime.
"New York is undeniably improved, but America’s Team would argue the same. Prescott has to be thrilled about opening the season with another chance to humble the Giants on national TV."
To his point, the Giants are an improved team. Sure, the Cowboys are as well. But, the Giants won't be the same Giants Prescott is used to cruising past.
John Harbaugh is a different breed. The energy he's brought to this program is something the franchise has long needed. And, you can't quantify that.
Harbaugh should be great for Dart, as should the rest of the coaching staff and additions made to the roster around their young quarterback.
We can talk in hypotheticals all we want -- and, good lord, we will because what else are we going to do for the next four months -- but what's ultimately going to matter is what happens when the lights come on and it's Big Blue vs. America's Team.
We'll see what happens when the talking is over with.
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