Jaxson Dart Shines as Giants Beat Cowboys 28-20 in Harbaugh's Debut
The Jaxson Dart era in New York got off to a statement start, as the Giants beat the Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday Night Football behind a poised, mistake-free performance from their young quarterback and a ball-control offense that closed the door on Dallas late.
Jaxson Dart Shines
Dart was in complete command all night, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, while also adding 54 rushing yards on 11 carries. Tight end Isaiah Likely was his top weapon, hauling in all eight targets for 78 yards and two of those touchdowns, and running back Cam Skattebo chipped in 81 yards and a score on 18 carries. Wide receiver Malik Nabers, back from injury, added six catches for 69 yards. Safety Jevon Holland provided a highlight-reel moment on defense with a sliding interception.
New York's biggest weapon down the stretch, though, was time of possession. The Giants racked up 29 first downs and 394 total yards while converting 9 of 11 third-down tries, and held the ball for the final 5:21 of the game to seal the win — a clear stamp of new head coach John Harbaugh's preferred ball-control style in his debut on the Giants' sideline.
Dallas Overpowered
Dallas got a mixed night from Dak Prescott, who finished 22 of 34 for 175 yards with a touchdown and an interception but got little help from his receivers — CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were largely contained by New York's defense all night. The Cowboys also took a couple of injury hits late, losing linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to a fourth-quarter hamstring injury and safety Malik Hooker to a forearm injury in the second half.
One notable subplot: Odell Beckham Jr., back with the Giants, went untargeted in his return to the team, a storyline that will likely follow New York into next week regardless of the win.
For Dallas, it's a discouraging follow-up to last season's 7-9-1 finish, with the same defensive issues resurfacing in a game the Cowboys had chances to control. For New York, it's about as good a first night as Harbaugh could have drawn up — a young quarterback playing clean, efficient football, a defense that made a big play when it needed one, and an offense that closed out the clock exactly the way the new coaching staff wants to play.
Both teams turn to Week 2, with Dallas looking to shore up its defense and New York looking to build on a signature season-opening win in the coach's very first game.
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