Week 10 of the regular season kicked off at MetLife Stadium with two teams that the Dallas Cowboys are familiar with: the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders. By hook or by crook, the Commanders came away with a 24-21 win.
This result is what the Cowboys were hoping for, as the division-leading Giants picked up a much-needed loss for Dallas' sake. New York is now 5-3-1, and Dallas is 4-5, sitting 1.5 games back of New York. The Cowboys can match the Giants' win total this weekend.
While the Cowboys have a massive game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon, New York's loss works in Dallas' favor.
Giants’ loss to Commanders gives Cowboys a major Week 10 opportunity
The Cowboys are already behind the eight ball, as they lost to the Giants in Week 1, as well as to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals, when they were favorites. With them having to play catch-up, they need to not only handle business but also know that every Giants loss is beneficial.
Yet the battle against the 49ers won't be an easy matchup. San Francisco has topped the Cowboys in four straight games, and for whatever reason, it has been a tough opponent for them. The 49ers are rolling again in 2026, as they sit at a conference-best 7-1.
Regardless of what the records state, anything can happen on any given Sunday. The Cowboys' defense has struggled this year, but they are getting better. However, they could be in trouble against this Kyle Shanahan-led offense.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker will need to call the best game of his young career to slow down the 49ers' offense, but more pressure should fall on the offensive side of the football in Dallas this week.
Entering this game, Dallas ranks ninth in total offense (360.4), sixth in passing offense (256.9), and sixth in scoring offense (27.3). George Pickens is trending toward returning from a hamstring injury, which gives the offense more juice.
Considering how well the 49ers' defense has been playing, this is a necessary addition for the Cowboys' offense. For this team to have a serious shot at winning, the offense will need to score at least 28 points.
That won't be easy, but with the Cowboys rallying, every game from here on out matters. The Giants losing a game where they had complete control is massive for Dallas, especially when you take a look at New York's remaining schedule.
Over their next six weeks, they will have to play the Jaguars, 49ers, Seahawks, Browns, and Lions. None of those games will be easy. And it's important to note that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record in 2026.
As for the Cowboys, they also have some tough matchups against the Rams, Seahawks, and Jags left on the docket, so the pressure is on. But they also have favorable matchups against the Titans, Eagles and Commanders.
When the dust settles, the loss to the Commanders could come back to bite the Giants, but only if the Cowboys handle their own business. And that makes the result of Week 10's contest against the 49ers that much more vital.
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