The Dallas Cowboys endured a disappointing start to the 2026 season, losing 28-20 to the New York Giants. An invigorated Giants squad made a statement at their division rival's expense by gaining 150 more yards than the Cowboys in John Harbaugh's debut. Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer conceded after the game that his team didn't get the job done at MetLife Stadium.
"I thought overall we were really, as a football team, we were pretty poor," Schottenheimer said, via team reporter Tommy Yarrish. "Just give Coach Harbaugh and his team a bunch of credit. They were the more physical team tonight.
That's certainly not our standard. That's certainly not how we see our identity playing." The Giants garnered 165 rushing yards behind a returning Cam Skattebo, but the Cowboys mustered 69 yards on 18 carries. None of Dak Prescott's 22 completions went for 20 yards, a far cry from their 40-37 overtime win over New York last September.
Schottenheimer suggested that Sunday's game was a teaching moment for his inexperienced defense, which allowed Jaxson Dart to complete 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. "One of the things, not an excuse guys, we did not play well, but you got young players…" Schottenheimer said. "Those are going to happen.
And we have to coach the young players better, but when you play young players, it's part of the deal. And they need to learn quickly." Schottenheimer said his team "dropped the ball" on Sunday night, but he'll look to wipe the slate clean when the Cowboys host the Washington Commanders in Week 2. "This is a humbling business," Schottenheimer said.
"And we got humbled tonight. That's what I told the guys. We lost mile one of a 17-mile marathon, and we have to be better.
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