It was a significant win for the city of New York, as America recently recognized the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Harbaugh spent the past 18 years as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Now, a statement was made by the Giants with the veteran coach at the helm.
It marked the first time in NFL history that the Giants defeated the Cowboys at home in Week 1. The last time they defeated the Cowboys in Week 1? Ten years ago on September 11th in Dallas.
The Giants also finished the game 9-for-11 on third-down conversions.
Full recap
There wasn't much going on in the first half between the two teams. After a 10-play, 83-yard drive, Giants running back Cam Skattebo scored the game's first touchdown to put the Giants up 7-0.
It was New York's only drive of the first quarter, while Dallas punted on both of theirs.
New York did nothing with the ball on their second drive, being forced to punt before Dallas retaliated.
Much like the Giants, the Cowboys capped off a 10-play, 85-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb for his first reception of the night.
The Giants responded with a 64-yard drive, but it ended with a Tyrone Tracy Jr. fumble at the Cowboys' 16.
But the G-Men got the ball back with under a minute left after Dallas' first turnover of the season.
Dak Prescott tossed his first interception of the season after Jevon Holland made an athletic sliding catch near the sideline. The veteran quarterback also threw an interception in last year's first matchup against the Giants in Week 2 - they won that game 40-37 in overtime.
Holland had just one interception all last year for the Giants, and now he has one in the first game of the season. He has at least one interception in five of the six years he's been in the league.
After a third-down false start near midfield, Jaxson Dart delivered back-to-back first-down passes to Malik Nabers and Darnell Mooney to put them at Dallas' 20.
Dart found tight end Isaiah Likely for a quick five-yard gain before going back to him wide open in the corner of the end zone. It marked Likely's first touchdown after signing with the Giants in the offseason as they headed to the locker room with a 14-7 lead.
And it was Likely who struck again to start the Giants off in the second half.
The Giants came out of halftime ready to add on to their lead after capping off a 12-play, 74-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Likely to go up 21-7.
It marks Likely's third multi-touchdown performance and his first since October 6, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals.
During the ensuing drive, the Cowboys almost ran down the rest of the clock in the third quarter after putting up a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with a Javonte Williams one-yard touchdown.
William has now scored at least one touchdown in four of the last five games for the Cowboys dating back to last season.
Both teams finished the third quarter with only one real drive each after the Giants ran out the remaining 37 seconds with a seven-yard run from Dart.
Dallas lost a pair of defensive starters during the fourth quarter as both linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) and defensive back Malik Hooker (chest) left due to injury.
And the Giants added insult to injury shortly after. Dart completed his third touchdown pass to Devin Singletary to put the Giants up 28-14.
His three touchdown passes tie a career high that he set last season against the Denver Broncos (October 19th).
Dart also has five touchdowns and zero interceptions in his two career starts against the Cowboys. He finished last season's 34-17 win over Dallas with 262 total yards and two touchdowns.
Things continued to go the Giants' way...sort of.
Prescott found Williams for both of their second touchdowns of the night. However, Williams was hit with a taunting penalty after gesturing the ball out to Giants defensive back Tyler Nubin.
That pushed the extra point back 15 yards, which resulted in a miss from kicker Brandon Aubrey, leaving the Cowboys down eight.
The Cowboys weren't able to stop the Giants on the following drive after a first-down run from Skattebo, who finished the night with 81 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.
Dallas only had the ball twice in the second half, both touchdowns. But never got possession besides that.
Dart finished the game with 230 passing yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-29 passing, with 54 rushing yards, which was more than anyone on the Cowboys. He is now 2-0 against the Cowboys as the starting QB with 546 total yards, five touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 122.2 passer rating.
His two best games by passer rating so far in his career have come against the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Likely (8-69-2) and Nabers (6-69) led the Giants in receiving on Sunday night.
Prescott went 22-of-34 with 175 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Lamb led Dallas receivers with 41 yards and a score on five receptions (eight targets).
The Giants outgained the Cowboys 394-244. Both teams combined for 17-22 on third down.
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