Brian Schottenheimer gets his second season in Dallas started with a lot of familiar faces on offense and a completely reshaped look on defense, and that combination sets up a fascinating Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants.
The Cowboys are bringing back the same 11 starters on offense after finishing with the league’s No. 2 offense in total yardage, which gives Dak Prescott and company a chance to keep rolling without much adjustment. The bigger story is on the other side of the ball, where Dallas overhauled the roster and installed Christian Parker as defensive coordinator for his first game in the role.
That new-look defense will be under the microscope right away, and there are several ways it could announce itself in a big way.
Von Miller is already making an impact beyond the stat sheet, and he said it was a dream come true to sign with the Cowboys. He has also taken on a mentoring role, coaching up rookie Malachi Lawrence during the preseason.
On top of that, Miller still has plenty left as a pass rusher after recording nine sacks for the Washington Commanders in 2025. Paired with another offseason addition in Rashan Gary, Dallas has a chance to make noise off the edge immediately.
In this scenario, both Gary and Miller get home for a sack.
The secondary could also get a quick jolt from Cobie Durant, another addition meant to strengthen a defense that needed help everywhere. Durant comes in after a strong season with the Los Angeles Rams, finishing with three interceptions in the regular season and three more in the playoffs.
He may not have drawn the same buzz as some other new names, but he has a real chance to be one of Dallas’ most important additions. Here, he starts fast by picking off a Jaxson Dart pass.
There’s also a big night in store for George Pickens, who spent the offseason in a bit of uncertainty before settling in on the one-year franchise tag. With his future tied to what he does in 2026, Week 1 becomes an early showcase. In this prediction, his connection with Prescott takes another step forward, with Pickens going for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
And finally, the most dramatic swing comes from the run defense. Dallas was gashed on the ground in 2025, but Parker is trying to flip that script with a rebuilt front led by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, Gary and Lawrence all bring run-stopping ability to the front seven, and this version of the Cowboys defense is projected to make a statement by holding the Giants under 60 rushing yards.
In Other News...
Cowboys Enter Week 1 With A Tight End Problem
As the Cowboys get ready for their regular-season opener against the Giants, the tight end room is already looking thinner than anyone around the team would like. Luke Schoonmaker sat out practice with his status still unclear, while practice squad tight end Michael Trigg is rehabbing a toe injury, leaving Dallas to sort through a position group that has taken a hit before the games even start.
Princeton Fant and DJ Rogers are both on injured reserve, which is why the Cowboys may need to look at a practice squad move just to keep the depth chart functional. One possible answer is James Mitchell, who could be elevated if Dallas decides it needs another body at tight end for Week 1. [Read more 🡒]
John Harbaugh Is Already Turning Up The Tension Before Cowboys Opener
With Sunday nights opener against the Cowboys looming, John Harbaugh is already treating the week like a chess match. The Giants coach declined to get into game plans or specific player details at his press conference, making it clear he sees no value in handing over any competitive edge before the season even begins. It is the kind of early-week posture that tends to sharpen the edge around a division game, especially when two teams know each other well.
Harbaughs guarded approach comes as reports have also pointed to some pointed evaluations of quarterback Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo during camp. For Dallas, that only adds another layer to a game that already carries plenty of attention, with the Cowboys opening against a rival that appears intent on keeping every meaningful card close to the vest. The questions around how much the Giants are willing to reveal will wait until kickoff, and maybe well after it. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys May Have Found A Scary New Way To Use George Pickens
The Cowboys are already thinking ahead to 2026, and George Pickens is central to the plan. After a strong first season in Dallas, the wide receivers role could grow in ways that make the offense less predictable, with the team looking to move him around more and use him in different alignments instead of keeping him in one familiar spot.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants the passing game to create more problems for defenses, and Pickens versatility could be a big part of that approach. Dallas is hoping that a more varied deployment, including more work in the slot, can build on a season in which Pickens piled up 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns and turn an already dangerous weapon into something even harder to track. [Read more 🡒]