Jerry Jones Admits Giants 'Were Better Than We Thought They Were' After Cowboys' Upset Loss

The New York Giants entered the 2026 campaign coming off three straight losing seasons, including a 4-13 effort in 2025, and the Dallas Cowboys may not have been fully prepared for the improved team they faced in Week 1.

"They just did a good job all over," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Bobby Kownack of NFL.com). "I will tell you, they were better than we thought they were. I'm anxious to see how New York continues to play. But really a combination of things. We didn't play as well as we should play and can play, but they played better than I thought they could."

New York won the Sunday night showdown 28-20 behind an excellent performance from quarterback Jaxson Dart.

He went 23-of-29 passing for 230 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions while adding 54 yards on the ground as a runner. Two of the touchdown passes went to new tight end Isaiah Likely, while running back Cam Skattebo also found the end zone on the ground.

It was an excellent start to the John Harbaugh tenure for the Giants and a sign they will be much more formidable under their new head coach. Considering Harbaugh was a Super Bowl champion who went to the playoffs 12 times with the Baltimore Ravens, perhaps that immediate improvement shouldn't have been so surprising.

But Jones' comments suggest the Cowboys were surprised by how effective the Giants were, as Dallas may have overlooked their season-opening opponent.

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off five straight playoff appearances, so perhaps Jones and Co. assumed they would be the top challenger in the NFC East.

But the team owner also turned the attention to themselves.

"We didn't play well last week," he said. "What I meant to say was New York had really more to do with it than I thought they would. So, that's a factor. But Washington could have a lot to do with it here Sunday, too, so we've got to be ready to step up the level of play. There's no question."

It will be up to the Cowboys to play better in Sunday's contest against the Washington Commanders, otherwise they will be staring at an 0-2 start and a daunting hole to climb out of in the early playoff race.