Classic NFC East rivalry to open NFL Sunday Night Football schedule

TL;DR

The NFL has announced that a classic NFC East rivalry will kick off the Sunday Night Football schedule. Full details of the regular-season matchups will be revealed on May 14.

Key points

NFL announced first Sunday Night Football game matchup
Game features a classic NFC East rivalry
Full regular-season schedule to be released on May 14

Welcome to NFL schedule week! The regular-season slate for America’s most popular sport will be released in full by Thursday, May 14.

But before then, the matchups for special games will come out, drip by drip, to whet fans’ appetites for the big reveal on Thursday night (8 p.m., ESPN2, NFL Network, NFL+).

MORE: Top 10 rivalries in the NFL

The first drop came Monday morning when the NFL shared the matchup for the initial “Sunday Night Football” game of the season.

The New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, in a classic matchup of longtime NFC East rivals. The game will be on NBC and Peacock.

This marks the eighth time in 15 seasons the Giants and Cowboys will open the season against each other. The two marquee franchises have combined for nine Super Bowl titles, five for the Cowboys and four for the Giants.

Dallas leads the all-time series 78-48-2. The rivals split their season series in 2025.

Storylines galore

The season opener will be new Giants head coach John Harbaugh’s MetLife Stadium debut. The Super Bowl champion joined New York when the Baltimore Ravens fired him after 18 seasons.

The Giants feature free-agent additions in defensive tackle D.J. Reader and receiver Darnell Mooney to go with stars Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, who are returning from injuries. Second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart will lead the offense. Top-10 draft picks in EDGE Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa also give fans reason for optimism.

Meanwhile, Dallas revamped a porous defense to complement quarterback Dak Prescott’s high-flying offense. The Cowboys acquired EDGE Rashan Gary and safety Jalen Thompson, then spent first-round draft picks on safety Caleb Downs and EDGE Malachi Lawrence.

Prediction

The Giants should be improved in 2026, but the Cowboys have too many established pieces on offense. Look for Prescott to roll with receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and returning 1,000-yard rusher Javonte Williams.

Dallas 31, New York Giants 20.

Q&A

What is the first game of the NFL Sunday Night Football schedule?

The first game of the NFL Sunday Night Football schedule features a classic NFC East rivalry.

When will the full NFL regular-season schedule be released?

The full NFL regular-season schedule will be released on Thursday, May 14.

What time is the NFL schedule reveal on May 14?

The NFL schedule reveal will take place at 8 p.m. on May 14, airing on ESPN2, NFL Network, and NFL+.