Giants Open Harbaugh Era With 28-20 Win Over Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

The New York Giants kicked off the John Harbaugh era with a 28-20 divisional victory over the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in the NFL’s season opener on Sunday Night Football. The prime-time broadcast airs on NBC, a property of Comcast Corporation (CMCSA), whose shares closed at $25.20, up 0.6% from a prior close of $25.05, giving the media and telecommunications company a market capitalization of roughly $92.5 billion.

New York set the tone early despite a fumble from Tyrone Tracy, carrying a 14-7 lead into halftime with the second-half kickoff still to come. Free-agent addition Isaiah Likely extended the advantage with his second touchdown catch of the night to open the third quarter, and Dallas answered on the ensuing drive to make it 21-14 heading into the final frame.

The Giants’ offense remained efficient deep into the game, pushing the margin to 28-14 with under eight minutes to play. Dallas tacked on another score to trim the deficit to eight, but New York closed out the win by running out the clock.

Individual Standouts and the Social Reaction

Likely delivered a standout debut, while Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo both looked sharp in their returns from injury. A large contingent of Giants alumni was on hand to mark the franchise’s first game under Harbaugh and his new staff.

The victory generated a wave of reaction on X. Sunday Night Football’s account celebrated with a nod to New York, while former Giants linebacker Gary Reasons and ex-running back Brandon Jacobs chimed in with celebratory posts. Sports media personality Dave Rothenberg noted he had predicted the outcome.

There was also statistical context making the rounds: analysts highlighted that 2009 was the last year both New York franchises opened their seasons 1-0. Beat reporter Dan Duggan called the performance “thoroughly impressive,” writing that the identity of a Harbaugh-coached team was visible immediately and praising quarterback Jaxson Dart for looking “in total control of the offense,” while noting Nabers’ production came on a pitch count.

The Giants’ own account leaned into the moment as well, posting a pointed follow-up to skeptics after the final whistle.

Business Angle

For Comcast, which reported price movement of 0.6% on the day, high-profile NFL windows like Sunday Night Football remain a cornerstone of its Media segment’s programming strategy. Strong opening-week matchups with marquee franchises and new coaching storylines typically draw some of the largest weekly television audiences of the season.

What to watch

• Giants’ Week 2 performance as the Harbaugh era continues, including how the team manages Nabers’ return from injury
• Whether Jaxson Dart sustains his opening-night efficiency
• NBC’s Sunday Night Football viewership figures for the opener, relevant to Comcast’s Media segment
• Dallas’ response after dropping its first divisional game of the season

Source: original release