Cowboys vs. Giants NFL Week 1 SNF Picks

Cowboys vs. Giants NFL Week 1 SNF Picks

The penultimate game of Week 1 in the 2026 NFL regular season is Sunday Night Football between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. To say that it’s a big one would be an understatement, as both NFC East rivals could be in the mix for the division title. They are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last year.

With Sunday’s contest set for 8:20 PM ET on NBC, it’s time to break down the odds and discuss the best bets to make.

Cowboys vs Giants SNF Predictions 

Pick #1: Dallas Cowboys -3 over New York Giants (-105) 

Pick #2: Over 48.5 (-105) 

Pick #3: Javonte Williams (DAL) over 69.5 rushing yards (-115)

PICK #1: Cowboys -3 over Giants (-105) 

That Dallas compiled a 7-9-1 record last season was no fault of the offense. Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards, 1,429 of which went to Georgia Pickens in the University of Georgia product’s first year with the Cowboys. Pickens on one side and CeeDee Lamb on the other simply seems like an unfair fight for opposing defenses. Led by Javonte Williams, the running game also placed eighth league-wide in yards per carry.

New York boasts a stellar front seven, but it’s hard to trust that unit until it actually steps up to the plate in this particular matchup. If you throw Week 18 of the 2025 campaign out the window (Prescott started, but Joe Milton played much of what was a meaningless game for both teams), Prescott is on a 12-game winning streak against the Giants.

On the other side of the ball, head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s squad may have landed the steal of the draft in Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall. Other additions include edge rusher Rashan Gary, linebacker Dee Winters, safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Cobie Durant and defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia. Even if New York also improves its overall roster, Dallas remains the more complete team.

PICK #2: Over 48.5 (-110) 

Dallas finished top five in both points and total yards last season. Of their 471 points, 57 came in two games against New York. Despite plenty of offseason additions made by the Cowboys’ defense, the Giants should also be able to contribute to the point total.

It’s clear that QB Jaxson Dart and RB Cam Skattebo make up a dynamic duo, and don’t forget about WR Malik Nabers. After suffering a torn ACL in Week 4 of last season, Nabers looks ready to return. The LSU product is listed as questionable, but he logged a full practice on Thursday. Odell Beckham Jr. will provide some leadership in the wide receiver room and former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely signed as a free agent. With plenty of weapons around him and a new head coach in John Harbaugh at the helm, Dart should be able to build on an encouraging rookie campaign – starting immediately in Week 1.

Keep in mind that even though Dallas’ defense should be an improved unit, that is not saying a lot. It gave up 30.1 points and 377 yards per game last season.

PICK #3: Javonte Williams (DAL) over 69.5 rushing yards (-115)

The Giants had one of the two worst rushing defenses in the NFL last year. They allowed the second-most rushing yards (145.3) on the highest yards-per-carry average (5.3). In Week 2, Williams rushed 18 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. Williams finished the season with 1,201 yards on 252 attempts, good for a 4.8 average. Even if New York’s defense has made some improvements, the former North Carolina standout should once again find success in this matchup.