Malik Nabers didn’t just make it back for the Giants in Week 1. He walked back into the offense and immediately reminded everyone what kind of problem he can be.
His status came down to the wire, with Nabers saying he would “let God tell [him]” whether he was ready to play. That decision didn’t come until after warmups, but once he was active, the Giants got the version of him they needed: available, dangerous, and right back in the middle of everything.
It had been 350 days since Nabers returned from the torn ACL and meniscus that ended his 2025 campaign early. Against the Cowboys in New York’s 28-20 primetime win, he looked the part of the Giants’ clear No. 1 receiver again. He finished with six catches on nine targets for 69 yards, and even that line undersells how much he changed the game.
He played about half the snaps, logging 54.4 percent, but the impact was obvious. Nabers moved well, created separation, made defenders miss and came through the night without any setbacks.
That alone mattered. The bigger picture mattered more: the Giants’ passing game and overall offense looked far more dangerous with him on the field.
That’s because Nabers changes the math. Dallas had to account for him, and that opened things up for everybody else.
Tight end Isaiah Likely worked into the softer spots and made the Cowboys pay, especially over the middle and on out-breaking routes. He finished with eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Cam Skattebo also took advantage of the space, helping power a Giants ground game that leaned on the Cowboys and won the physical battle.
Skattebo led the rushing effort, with New York piling up 165 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries. The Giants were doing damage in multiple ways, and Nabers’ presence helped set that tone.
The numbers back it up, too. New York posted 3.03 expected points added per drive, which leads the league after the first slate of the 2026 season.
The Chicago Bears are second at 2.05 after scoring 59 points, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are third at 1.99. That’s with Nabers not even fully unleashed yet.
Even in a controlled return, he was efficient. Nabers averaged 3.00 yards per route run, which ranked 17th among 107 receivers who ran at least 10 routes in the kickoff-week games. The burst wasn’t fully there, but it’s clearly coming.
That’s what makes this so intriguing for New York. Nabers is trending toward a full workload, the run game already showed real bite, Likely looks like another piece defenses have to respect, and Jaxson Dart is starting to look like he has the makings of a franchise quarterback. Put all of that together, and the Giants may have something much bigger than a strong opening-night win.
In Other News...
Eli Manning Sees Something Giants Fans Have Missed In Cam Skattebo
Cam Skattebo has already given the Giants a jolt early in the season, and it has not just been the production that stood out. Eli Manning, watching from afar like plenty of fans around the team, pointed to the rookie backs aggressive approach and the edge he brings every time he touches the ball, even drawing a parallel to former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. After opening with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown, Skattebo has quickly pushed himself into the conversation as the clubs top back.
What has also caught Mannings attention is the way Skattebo has handled the aftermath of a severe leg injury. There had been some questions about whether the injury might change his style, but Manning said the same intensity shows up in practice and in games. For a Giants offense looking for players who bring a little attitude with their production, Skattebo is already giving them both, and now the bigger question is how far that edge can carry him over the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Just Found A Week 2 Path The Rams May Not Handle
The Rams Week 1 loss to the 49ers put a familiar kind of pressure on their defense, one the Giants have already shown they can apply. San Francisco leaned on short passes and nickel looks to keep Los Angeles chasing, and New Yorks opening win over Dallas offered a useful template of its own, with the Giants winning by staying patient and taking what the defense gave them.
That puts the matchup in Week 2 in an interesting spot for Brian Dabolls offense. If the Giants can keep the passing game conservative, stay efficient on third down and keep finding the right personnel answers against Los Angeles, they could force the Rams into the same uncomfortable script the 49ers used. The question is whether New York can stay disciplined enough to make that plan work again. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Catch A Break As Rams Face A Huge Offensive Concern
The Rams are heading into Monday night already dealing with a situation that could shape the entire matchup, as Sean McVay said wide receiver Puka Nacua did not practice Friday or Saturday because of a hip injury and is now listed as questionable against the Giants. Los Angeles is coming off a Week 1 loss, so every piece of uncertainty on offense matters a little more, especially with the early-season margin for error already thin.
For New York, the timing offers a bit of breathing room as it prepares for a defense still sorting through its own personnel picture. Myles Garrett is on injured reserve and expected to miss an extended stretch, while Aaron Donald is expected back, leaving the Rams with some notable moving parts even before kickoff. The Giants will be watching Nacuas status closely, because if he is limited or unavailable, it could change how Los Angeles tries to attack on Monday night. [Read more 🡒]