Cowboys vs. Giants Prediction & Opening Odds: NFL Week 1 SNF Preview, Expert Pick

I’m more excited about the 2026 NFL season than the G-Men are about having John Harbaugh orchestrate the new era, but my Cowboys vs. Giants early prediction details why they’ll get off to a losing start. 

Despite playing on the road, the opening odds have the Cowboys as a 2.5-point betting favorite. My early picks, part of the NFL Week 1 predictions, make the case for Brian Schottenheimer’s team to start 1-0. 

The season debut for SNF kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (NBC).

🏈 Cowboys vs. Giants early prediction: NFL Week 1 SNF

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

Cowboys -2.5 (-118)

I’m locking the pick in before the spread increases to -3. Both teams have a lot to be optimistic about, but the Giants will need more time under Harbaugh before they start to turn the tide against the Cowboys. 

Dallas is stacked offensively, and Giants’ cornerbacks Greg Newsome II and Paulson Adebo will likely struggle to keep CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at bay. 

While the Cowboys’ defense won’t be among the top 10 units this season, I have enough faith in their revamped roster, which includes first-round pick Caleb Downs, to beat the Giants by three.

📊 Cowboys vs. Giants odds: NFL Week 1 SNF

Cowboys vs. Giants odds update live in real time. Our NFL analysis and expert predictions cover every game this postseason.

Cowboys vs. Giants opening odds

• Moneyline: Cowboys -158 | Giants +134
• Spread: Cowboys -2.5 (-120) | Giants +2.5 (-102)
• Over/Under: Over 48.5 (-112) | Under 48.5 (-108)

Cowboys vs. Giants line movement

BetMGM is the only one of the best sports betting sites offering the Cowboys at -3.

It’s a critical number, one the others will likely move to in the coming days. The Cowboys’ -2.5 line has odds between -118 and -122 at DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365. Any further decrease will see the line move to -3.

It’s why I’m jumping on the -2.5. I’m happy to pay a higher price to snag the pivotal number, especially as the Cowboys are on the road.

📈 Cowboys vs. Giants trends & betting notes: NFL Week 1 SNF

• The Cowboys won 16 of the previous 18 and nine of the last 10 against the G-Men
• Dak Prescott struggled in his previous four season openers, tossing 188, 179, 143, and 134 yards, respectively
• Malik Nabers’ status for Week 1 hasn’t been confirmed
• The Cowboys signed 11 undrafted free agents to their roster in May
• Caleb Downs, the Cowboys’ 11th pick in the 2026 draft, will make his regular-season debut

📺 How to watch Cowboys vs. Giants: NFL Week 1 SNF

• Date: Sunday, Sept. 13
• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET 
• Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
• TV: NBC 
• Streaming: Peacock