Dallas has the receivers to make Sunday night uncomfortable for the Giants. The first question is whether Dak Prescott will get enough time to use them. With Tyler Smith on injured reserve and Malik Davis out, the Cowboys enter their opener needing their remaining pieces to hold up against a New York team beginning its John Harbaugh era.

Cowboys–Giants kicks off Sunday, September 13, at 8:20 p.m. Eastern / 7:20 p.m. Central at MetLife Stadium. NBC and Peacock carry the game; Dallas-area radio coverage is on 105.3 The Fan.

The biggest unresolved player question belongs to New York. Malik Nabers remains questionable with a knee injury on the Giants’ published game-status report, despite being listed as a full participant in all three practices. That designation should not be mistaken for either a confirmed absence or a guarantee of a normal workload.

Dallas needs the platform for Prescott

T.J. Bass is Dallas’ replacement at left guard with Smith sidelined following his thumb injury. That puts the offensive line near the center of the evening’s story: CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can stress a secondary, but longer-developing opportunities require protection.

Big Blue Interactive’s Eric Kennedy identifies that tension in his matchup preview. New York has reasons to attack Prescott, yet committing resources to pressure also creates difficult coverage assignments against Dallas’ receivers. Watch whether the Cowboys can keep the Giants guessing with Javonte Williams instead of repeatedly asking Prescott to solve obvious passing downs.

Davis’ absence narrows the backfield behind Williams. The Cowboys’ reporting points to Emari Demercado as a replacement option and describes a hip injury requiring surgery for Davis. The practical issue tonight is who handles the supporting work, not an assumed change to Williams’ starting role.

Dart’s legs make the job harder

Dallas’ defense faces a different kind of test. In the Cowboys’ official scouting preview, Will McClay highlights the Giants’ use of heavier formations and Cam Skattebo’s physical running, then turns to Jaxson Dart’s ability to escape the pocket and keep a play alive.

That makes rush discipline important alongside pressure. Winning the initial matchup is less useful if Dart can leave the pocket and find Theo Johnson or another receiver downfield. Christian Parker’s rebuilt defense needs both a firm edge against the run and coordinated pursuit when the quarterback moves.

The team’s film breakdown shows what Dallas is preparing to handle, using prior game and preseason examples rather than footage from tonight’s game.

Nabers is the late decision to watch

New York added receiving depth Saturday by signing Dalen Cambre from its practice squad and elevating Braxton Berrios. Pat Leonard reported those moves alongside Nabers’ questionable status, and the Giants confirmed the transactions.

Those moves provide options; they do not establish that Nabers will sit out. His status and any disclosed limitations remain the last major items to check before kickoff. For fantasy managers waiting on him, the late start makes that distinction especially consequential.

The opener offers a clear set of tests. Can Dallas protect Prescott well enough for Lamb and Pickens to matter? Can its defense finish plays when Dart extends them? And can New York make its new approach work immediately against a divisional opponent? The answers begin under the lights at MetLife.