Dak Prescott says the Dallas Cowboys expect to be a playoff team again, and the first measuring stick arrives in primetime. Dallas opens the 2026 season Sunday night at the New York Giants, with kickoff at MetLife Stadium set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
Prescott told reporters the vibe around the building is strong after the club missed the postseason the previous two seasons. The Associated Press account, carried by KERA News, framed the Giants game as the first test of those aspirations against an NFC East rival installing a new coaching staff.
"Obviously it's a new coaching staff over there and new personnel right on defense and just different spots," Prescott said, per KERA News / AP. "It's about us. It's about our focus. It's about the team that we've built this whole offseason and the work that we've put in throughout training camp and this week, as well. Excited for that opportunity."
Harbaugh's debut and Dart on the biggest stage
John Harbaugh makes his debut as Giants head coach after 18 seasons in Baltimore, Dallas Sports Journal noted in its Week 1 injury-report coverage.
New York does not carry the same public postseason weight as Dallas right now, but Harbaugh's arrival pairs with the expected returns of receiver Malik Nabers from injury and Odell Beckham Jr. after stops around the league - a combination the AP described as capable of charging the Meadowlands atmosphere in primetime.
Giants starting quarterback Jaxson Dart has leaned into that stage. "I can't wait to be a part of it," Dart said, according to KERA News / AP. "I've just been waiting for this. I think this is just the coolest stage, the coolest opportunity."
Dart will face a Cowboys defense that added rookie safety Caleb Downs and edge rushers Rashan Gary and Von Miller after Dallas allowed the most points in the league last season, the AP reported. The Giants ranked among the league's weaker units statistically a year ago as well, so both sides open with something to prove on that side of the ball.
Nabers status remains unsettled
Nabers tore his ACL in New York's Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last season and is nearly a year removed from the injury. He has been listed as a full participant on the Giants' early practice reports this week, Dallas Sports Journal reported, and Harbaugh said Wednesday that Nabers practiced in full and took contact.
Neither Nabers nor Harbaugh has confirmed whether the 23-year-old will be in uniform Sunday, per the AP via KERA News.
Beckham is also in the mix for New York, according to the same AP package. How New York deploys its receivers will shape what Dallas asks of its secondary in the opener.
