The moment the New York Giants hired John Harbaugh as their head coach, it felt like they were on a primetime collision course with the Dallas Cowboys. Sure enough, Dallas and New York will open the 2026 regular season on Sunday Night Football, marking the latest high-profile Week 1 clash between the rivals.
The Cowboys and Giants have produced plenty of thrillers over the years, but the rivalry has been one-sided for the better part of a decade, as Dak Prescott is a dominant 14-3 against New York since taking the starting job from Tony Romo as a rookie fourth-round pick in 2016.
Giants star edge rusher Brian Burns is aware of his team's misfortunes, but he made a misguided attempt to motivate his squad after the Week 1 clash was announced (h/t Art Stapleton, northjersey.com).
"40-0, you know we're gonna hear a lot about that leading up to this one. Damn sure I'm gonna want to redeem it this time around."
Huh? A revenge game from three years ago when Burns wasn't even on the team? Again, huh?
The Giants can't even trash-talk the Dallas Cowboys correctly
That's right: Burns was still a Carolina Panther. The Giants traded for him in March of 2024. So, either he got his timelines crossed up, or the 40-0 beatdown is still a talking point in the hallways in East Rutherford. Either scenario is comedy gold for Cowboys fans.
Of course, Brian Burns is referencing the last time Dallas and New York crossed paths in Week 1. Does the “MetLife Massacre” ring any bells? Probably not -- it never got an official moniker, but that’s about as accurate a description as you’ll find, as the Cowboys coasted to a 40-0 victory.
It was the rare blowout win where Prescott didn't go nuclear. In the first quarter alone, Noah Igbinoghene returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, and DaRon Bland took an interception 22 yards to the house. Tony Pollard added a pair of rushing scores before KaVontae Turpin put the icing on the cake with a short TD run of his own in the fourth quarter.
The Dallas defense played out of its mind, sacking Daniel Jones seven times, picking him off twice, and hitting him 12 times. He finished the game with an 8.7 QBR.
It was a memorable night for Cowboys fans. Sure, it was bound to come up given it’s the most recent opener between these rivals, but Burns beat everyone to the punch. To say it didn’t land would be an understatement, somehow turning it into bulletin-board material for Prescott and Co.
Not to rush the summer, but September 13 really can't get here soon enough.
Add us as a preferred source on Google