# Cowboys vs Giants predictions, graded

Week 1, 2026: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Sep 14, 2026 · final: Cowboys 20, Giants 28 · 32 calls on record · updated Sep 15, 9:20 AM ET

Who do pundits pick in Cowboys vs Giants? Of 24 pundits with a call on record, 22 take the Cowboys and 2 take the Giants. 8 named a score; the median has the Cowboys by 10.5. The Giants won 28-20, so 2 of 24 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 21 out of 100.

Picks by outlet. Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.

- [Sports Illustrated](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated): all 9 Cowboys
- [CBS Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports): all 5 Cowboys
- [First Things First (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/first-things-first-podcast): Cowboys 3, Giants 1

The other 6 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Cowboys 5, Giants 1.

Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-1-cowboys-at-giants

Picks:

- [Garrett Podell](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/garrett-podell) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 31–Giants 17; said Sep 13, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 35.71 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/994d94d2-7aa5-4911-8404-9efbdfc22a46
- [Danny Parkins](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/danny-parkins) took the Giants; said Sep 11, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/36c480cc-6b54-4cea-8204-3fc00ea6493c
- [Nick Wright](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/nick-wright) took the Cowboys; said Sep 11, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5b52c3b5-50b8-4e09-9fb0-41c9bf1aaf8b
- [Eric Mangini](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-mangini) took the Cowboys; said Sep 11, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e5bc3ec1-bf97-4273-a223-f5661d0cca8a
- [Chris Broussard](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-broussard) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 34–Giants 17; said Sep 11, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 28.57 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/51e94822-1a3d-4d9a-bf30-f6cb6df22819
- [Nick Shook](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/nick-shook) took the Cowboys; said Sep 11, 2026; on Around the NFL (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ae15f1d0-9ea1-4b85-a08f-3cdf228630b7
- [Brady Quinn](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/brady-quinn) took the Cowboys; said Sep 11, 2026; on 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/696da78f-ea04-4f40-9242-4fb9a3f93d91
- [Jordan Dajani](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jordan-dajani) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 28–Giants 23; said Sep 10, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 42.86 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f6565d23-03db-4e60-a574-21a0b86dafb0
- [Jared Dubin](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jared-dubin) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 31–Giants 20; said Sep 10, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 42.86 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5017ce6e-d3fa-471a-bcf6-b9834182fded
- [Richard Sherman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/richard-sherman) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 31–Giants 21; said Sep 9, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 45.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3b4f1960-4810-4136-8023-c9a76a0598a3
- [Mike Florio](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-florio) took the Giants, Giants 23–Cowboys 21; said Sep 9, 2026; on NBC Sports; scored 85.71 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4b20f46e-ebc0-462f-9e7a-2ab82f91a2ea
- [Gilberto Manzano](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gilberto-manzano) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f6e2bb80-47ba-4803-9002-1ab10e7ee54c
- [John Pluym](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-pluym) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e7e5c159-21f2-4766-92de-857294ef51cf
- [Matt Verderame](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/matt-verderame) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e4f51f97-310d-4665-a47e-fdab93ff1fd1
- [Eva Geitheim](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eva-geitheim) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/599df4d8-af5a-4097-b802-1d21ce7b6ce1
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/54ae8d21-7621-4c3d-816c-e879aed9b5c2
- [Mike Kadlick](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-kadlick) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/934613ff-97e3-4894-a383-faa755bdfc35
- [Albert Breer](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/albert-breer) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/81a0a660-de14-460e-a283-c357a6a1bcda
- [Mitch Goldich](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitch-goldich) took the Cowboys; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/643de3da-467f-48c2-a141-4656c392ab89
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 30–Giants 17; said Sep 9, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 38.1 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d6f9bde0-aad0-4013-967c-c197b2e9be19
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Cowboys, Cowboys 30–Giants 23; said Sep 8, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 47.62 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 79.68) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b823d5ce-fc63-4d24-9f48-839f494b538a
- [Michael Irvin](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-irvin) took the Cowboys; said Sep 5, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/321d5125-d077-43d6-b09a-5ea5886eec68
- [Michael Irvin](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-irvin) took the Giants; said Sep 5, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/321d5125-d077-43d6-b09a-5ea5886eec68
- [Clarence Hill](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/clarence-hill) took the Cowboys; said Sep 3, 2026; on DLLS Dallas Cowboys (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/012c1829-1611-4a5a-b27b-f592577a3e65
- [Michael Irvin](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-irvin) took the Giants; said Sep 2, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8c7e90c6-e16b-4ee6-8da6-e4dd4b9adb5d
- [Michael Irvin](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/michael-irvin) took the Cowboys; said Sep 2, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8c7e90c6-e16b-4ee6-8da6-e4dd4b9adb5d
- [Jason McIntyre](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jason-mcintyre) took the Cowboys; said Aug 25, 2026; on The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/20b8e781-423f-465f-a198-6d4f35e6414d
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Cowboys; said Aug 19, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/50eb251e-cf6b-417d-a0d6-bccba95e06fc
- [Danny Parkins](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/danny-parkins) took the Cowboys; said Aug 13, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1a6d06c4-7bb0-43e7-891d-6f8b688d4f12
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Cowboys; said Aug 7, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/59f3656d-ab7d-43aa-92fe-d66a47b658fb
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Cowboys; said Aug 7, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/59f3656d-ab7d-43aa-92fe-d66a47b658fb
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Cowboys; said Aug 4, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bed2c87b-40ea-4679-8fe6-ed02f49efe2b

## How they came in

The Cowboys went 7-9-1 last season and the Giants went 4-13 last season. It is a division game. On win totals, 23 pundits put the Cowboys at 9.5 wins on average, and 15 pundits put the Giants at 7.1 wins on average.

Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

- Dallas Cowboys: 0-0
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 9th, defense 29th of 32
  - Last season: 7-9-1
  - Win-total calls: 23 pundits, average 9.5, 2 to 14 wins
- New York Giants: 0-0
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 21st, defense 16th of 32
  - Last season: 4-13
  - Win-total calls: 15 pundits, average 7.1, 2 to 11 wins

## Players to watch

Each club's starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit ranked on the leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick, made since the 2026 schedule came out ("No." is that rank). Leaderboard: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/leaderboard

- [Dak Prescott](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dak-prescott) (Starting QB, QB): 2,381 passing yards · 16 TD, 5 INT · 64.9% completions · 102 rushing yards · 9 games; 3rd in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 3, 2026: Dak Prescott to stay with Dallas Cowboys (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Dak Prescott to outplay his draft cost (the middle rounds) (not settled yet)
- [Javonte Williams](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/javonte-williams) (RB1, RB): 629 rushing yards on 154 carries · 10 TD · 24 catches for 127 · 9 games; 9th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 5, 2026: Javonte Williams to finish top 15 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
  - No. 20 Jake Ciely, Aug 8, 2026: Javonte Williams to finish top 13 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [CeeDee Lamb](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ceedee-lamb) (WR1, WR): 70 catches for 904 yards · 7 TD · 9 games; 2nd in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Oct 12, 2026: With extra time to recover after a Thursday-night game in Week 5, Lamb could be ready to go when the Cowboys face the Packers this week. (not settled yet)
  - No. 26 Bucky Brooks, Oct 7, 2026: CeeDee Lamb to finish top 1 at his position, by an unstated measure (not settled yet)
- [Jake Ferguson](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jake-ferguson) (TE1, TE): 19 catches for 136 yards · 4 TD · 8 games; 154th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Jake Ferguson to fall short of his draft cost (TE12, Overall RK117 | ECR vs. ADP: -8) (not settled yet)
  - No. 30 Andrew Erickson, Sep 16, 2026: Jake Ferguson to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Quinnen Williams](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/quinnen-williams) (Sack leader, DT): 5 sacks · 20 solo tackles · 9 games; 14th in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 35 Albert Breer, Aug 12, 2026: Quinnen Williams to make team captain (not settled yet)
  - No. 60 Jared Dubin, Aug 10, 2026: Quinnen Williams to win Team MVP (non-QB) (not settled yet)
- [Caleb Downs](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/caleb-downs) (Tackle leader, S): 2 sacks · 33 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games; 30th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Sep 10, 2026: Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (not settled yet)
  - No. 48 John Middlekauff, Sep 8, 2026: Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (not settled yet)
- [J.J. McCarthy](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/j-j-mccarthy) (Starting QB, QB): 915 passing yards · 2 TD, 2 INT · 63.5% completions · 5 games; 33rd in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Aug 27, 2026: J.J. McCarthy to move to Minnesota Vikings (scored 100 out of 100)
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Sep 25, 2026: J.J. McCarthy to be 2nd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Cam Skattebo](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cam-skattebo) (RB1, RB): 496 rushing yards on 116 carries · 4 TD · 14 catches for 120 · 7 games; 16th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Aug 12, 2026: Cam Skattebo to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 24 Rich Hribar, Sep 9, 2026: Cam Skattebo to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Malik Nabers](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/malik-nabers) (WR1, WR): 58 catches for 692 yards · 2 TD · 9 games; 8th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 13, 2026: Malik Nabers to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Sep 10, 2026: Malik Nabers to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Isaiah Likely](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/isaiah-likely) (TE1, TE): 55 catches for 575 yards · 7 TD · 9 games; 17th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 1, 2026: Isaiah Likely to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Sep 14, 2026: Isaiah Likely to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Arvell Reese](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/arvell-reese) (Sack leader, Tackle leader, LB): 4.5 sacks · 52 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games; 22nd in the NFL in sacks; 1st in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Sep 3, 2026: Arvell Reese to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 26 Bucky Brooks, Aug 30, 2026: Arvell Reese to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (not settled yet)

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The room is counted in pundits, each one's latest call standing. Accuracy is out of 100; the naive pick is the home team.
The week: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-1
Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology