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Giants, Cowboys Exchange Scores in 'Sunday Night Football' Matchup
Confirmed
In Short: The first 'Sunday Night Football' game of the 2026 NFL season kicked off with the Dallas Cowboys facing the New York Giants.
Before the teams took the field, country singer Carrie Underwood welcomed fans with her newest rock rendition of "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," setting the stage for the matchup between the Giants and the Cowboys.
Cowboys Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott added, "Yeah, tough. Yeah, tough. He's obviously coached a lot of winning teams. So to me, you expect the game to go into the fourth quarter and it's kind of our message," referring to head coach Mike McCarthy.
The Cowboys have a perfect 8-0 record in Week 1 primetime games against the Giants, including a 40-0 beatdown at MetLife Stadium in 2023. However, the 2026 edition of this matchup could be different, as both squads have undergone significant changes in terms of coaching staff and personnel.
The Cowboys were the NFL's worst scoring defense in 2025, surrendering 30.1 points per game. Matt Eberflus was sent packing after just one season, and the Cowboys hired Christian Parker away from Vic Fangio's Philadelphia Eagles defensive staff to rebuild their unit.
What's confirmed
- Before the teams took the field, country singer Carrie Underwood welcomed fans with her newest rock rendition of "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," setting the stage for the matchup between the Giants and the Cowboys.
- Cowboys Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott added, "Yeah, tough. Yeah, tough. He's obviously coached a lot of winning teams. So to me, you expect the game to go into the fourth quarter and it's kind of our message," referring to head coach Mike McCarthy.
- The Cowboys have a perfect 8-0 record in Week 1 primetime games against the Giants, including a 40-0 beatdown at MetLife Stadium in 2023. However, the 2026 edition of this matchup could be different, as both squads have undergone significant changes in terms of coaching staff and personnel.
- The Cowboys were the NFL's worst scoring defense in 2025, surrendering 30.1 points per game. Matt Eberflus was sent packing after just one season, and the Cowboys hired Christian Parker away from Vic Fangio's Philadelphia Eagles defensive staff to rebuild their unit.
What's still developing
- The wait is finally over, as Sunday Night Football kicks off.
- While kicking off the 2026 season, the NFL prepared for Sunday Night Football, which features the Dallas Cowboys taking on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
- Noting her deep love for “pure rock and roll,” he promised, “we’ve worked to match these two rock frequencies of past and present as they come together in Carrie’s high-energy performance.” Only able to set the stage for the matchup between the Giants and the Cowboys, Dixon had little worry that the teams wouldn’t deliver.
- But even before the first play, Underwood was ready to remind them why “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” had become just as much a part of the tradition.
- "The growth, it's like night and day. Starting in OTAs, and starting the first week of training camp, getting a chance to go against one of the best offenses in battle every single day has helped us tremendously," Cowboys Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said.
- Before we dive into some of the key storylines, here is how you can watch the first "Sunday Night Football" matchup of 2026.