New York Giants Players Who Could Wreak Havoc on the Cowboys in the 2026 Season Opener

The Dallas Cowboys will play the New York Giants at the Meadowlands on Sunday Night Football, kicking off their most anticipated season in quite some time. According to Vegas, Dallas is a small 3.5-point favorite in this game; however, the Giants' roster has improved in all areas, making this game a little more difficult than expected. They would hire former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and sign impressive players like former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely and draft rookies like Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. With Dallas looking to get out of New York 1-0, who are some potentially talented players that can wreak havoc on the Cowboys in their season opener?

Malik Nabers

It is clear that the most exciting player for the Giants is wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has already made his presence felt against Dallas. In their Week Two matchup last season, Nabers had an outstanding game, recording over nine catches, 167 yards, and two touchdowns as Big Blue fell 40-37 to Dallas in overtime. The Cowboys have significantly enhanced their defense during the offseason; however, the cornerback group remains an area of concern. While Dallas is confident in the abilities of former All-Pro DaRon Bland as one of their cornerbacks, both his performance and health have raised questions since his breakout season in 2023. The Cowboys need to make sure they can contain Nabers, or else another dominant performance by him can make the night difficult for them.

Brian Burns 

On the defensive side of the ball, Dallas must focus on containing three-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns. Recently, it was announced that star left guard Tyler Smith would miss the first four to six weeks of the season due to a thumb injury, which could create an opportunity for the 28-year-old Burns to excel in the game. The Cowboys have a lot of faith in Smith's replacement, T.J. Bass, who in his own right is a good pass blocker, but it is likely that New York will try to put the three-time Pro Bowler all over the defensive front, potentially in front of Bass. The 28-year-old has delivered several impressive performances against Dallas, dating back to his time with the Panthers in Carolina. Therefore, it is crucial for Dallas to ensure they protect Dak Prescott, not only from Burns but also from the formidable Giants defensive line as a whole.