Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the 28-20 season-opening loss to the New York Giants on Sunday was one of the more disappointing defeats he could recall, as a rebuilt defense allowed 9 of 11 third-down conversions and the offense managed only two possessions in the second half.
Schottenheimer said the team did not play defense the way it is capable of playing and did not play offense in the first half the way it is capable of playing. He said the Cowboys will not panic because it is a long season and they know they are not going to go undefeated. But he said that is not the biggest issue they face.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who had nicknamed the offense the Greatest Offense There Is during training camp, completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards. He has now lost two straight starts against the Giants after winning 14 in a row. Prescott said his message to the team was to not change, not flinch and not blink. It is a long year.
The turning point
The game turned on a Prescott interception late in the first half that the Giants converted into a go-ahead touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart to tight end Isaiah Likely. Prescott said he was flushed from the pocket under duress and tried to throw the ball away, but safety Jevon Holland made a sliding interception.
Prescott said that was a huge moment in the game. The Giants scored before halftime, received the opening kickoff of the second half and scored again, which limited Dallas to two possessions in the second half. New York’s offense was on the field for 21 minutes and 33 seconds in the second half.
The defensive breakdown on the Likely touchdown came when linebacker Dee Winters and cornerback DaRon Bland both jumped an underneath receiver, leaving Likely open in the end zone. The defense featured eight new starters from Week 1 in 2025 and showed communication problems.
The taunting penalty
With 5 minutes 21 seconds remaining and Dallas within one score, running back Javonte Williams was called for taunting after pointing the ball at a Giants defender while crossing the goal line. The 15-yard penalty cost Dallas a potential 2-point conversion attempt. Kicker Brandon Aubrey’s extra-point attempt from 48 yards was wide right.
Schottenheimer called Williams one of the team’s most dependable players and said that is simply not like Javonte. He said the team was getting ready to attempt the 2-point conversion and go for the win.
Dallas finished with nine penalties and ran just 52 offensive plays, failing to generate a play of more than 17 yards all game. George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb both had opportunities drop through their hands. Veteran safety Malik Hooker suffered a fractured forearm in the fourth quarter.
The season context
Despite missing the playoffs each of the past two seasons, the team entered 2026 optimistic about its chances. The loss mirrors last year’s opener when they fell to Philadelphia before bouncing back to beat the Giants in Week 2. Schottenheimer said the team got humbled tonight and that they lost mile one of a 17-mile marathon and have to be better. He said the only way is to get back to work.
