# Cowboys-Giants opener gives NBC a ratings win

> Dallas-New York pulled the biggest season-opening Sunday Night Football audience in 11 years.
- Title: Cowboys-Giants opener gives NBC a ratings win · Newsweek
- Summary: Dallas-New York pulled the biggest season-opening Sunday Night Football audience in 11 years. Cowboys-Giants remains one of the NFL's safest prime-time…
- Keywords: nbc, sunday night football, cowboys, giants, dallas cowboys, new york giants, metlife stadium, week 1, tv viewership, jaxson dart, dak prescott, nfl
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/nfl/nbc-announces-huge-viewership-numbers-for-cowboys-giants-snf-12447267
- Author: Matt Audilet
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nbc, sunday night football, cowboys, giants, dallas cowboys, new york giants, metlife stadium, week 1, tv viewership, jaxson dart, dak prescott, nfl
## A rivalry opened NBC
The Cowboys visited the Giants at MetLife Stadium for a prime-time Week 1 game built around a familiar NFC East rivalry.

> Sunday Night Football
## The audience was huge
NBC said the game averaged 25.7 million viewers, the best season-opening Sunday Night Football number since 2015.

> 25.7 million viewers
## It peaked even higher
Viewership climbed to 29 million at its peak, topping NBC's earlier Week 1 Super Bowl rematch average of 25.1 million.

> peaked at 29 million viewers
## New York backed it up
The Giants beat Dallas 28-20, turning the ratings draw into a statement win for their 2026 debut.

> 28-20 final score
## Dart outplayed Prescott
Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, getting the better of Dak Prescott.

> 230 yards and three touchdowns
## Week 2 is set
NBC's next Sunday Night Football game sends the Kansas City Chiefs against the Indianapolis Colts.
## Key takeaway

Cowboys-Giants remains one of the NFL's safest prime-time draws, even when New York steals the night on the field.