New-look Dallas Cowboys defense faces first test vs. New York Giants to open 2026 NFL season

It's finally time for Cowboys football! America's Team heads to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 13 in their first game of the 2026 NFL season.Sunday marks the first chance for the new-look Cowboys defense to show how much of an improvement they made in the offseason.Dallas Cowboys begin 2026 seasonThe Dallas Cowboys' first game of the 2026 NFL season will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13 on the road against the New York Giants.The game will kick off at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday Night Football on NBC.New-look defenseAfter the 2025 defense gave up the most points in the NFL and ranked among the worst in franchise history, the Cowboys made big moves to improve it.Defensive coordinator Christian Parker will coach in his first game as a coordinator on Sunday.He'll have several defensive pieces to work with to stop the Giants. Rookie safety Caleb Downs is expected to step in and make a big impact in his first NFL game.Other new pieces are edge rushers Rashan Gary and M