Welcome to the first Sunday of the 2026 NFL season! 

The NFL opens its Sunday night spotlight with an NFC East rivalry that has plenty of new storylines. Dallas heads to MetLife looking to start the second season of the Brian Schottenheimer era on a high note, while New York begins the John Harbaugh era with expectations that the franchise can finally turn the corner. 

 

 

 

Cowboys vs. Giants DFS Picks & Preview: Sunday Night Football, 9/13

Dallas still has the more proven offense. Dak Prescott returns with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, giving the Cowboys a dangerous passing attack. Prescott has also historically owned this matchup, going 14–3 against the Giants.

For New York, the big question is how quickly Jaxson Dart can take another step. The Giants are expected to lean on a physical, run-oriented offense featuring Cam Skattebo, while a healthy Malik Nabers would give Dart a much-needed explosive weapon. Nabers' role is one of the game's biggest question marks as he continues his return from an ACL injury. 

After allowing the most points in the NFL last season, the Cowboys completely revamped the defensive unit. Christian Parker takes over as defensive coordinator, with newcomers such as Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, and rookie safety Caleb Downs expected to make an immediate impact.

The Giants have their own scary defensive front. Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter could make life uncomfortable for Prescott, particularly with Dallas dealing with the absence of All-Pro guard Tyler Smith. 

 

 

 

Cowboys vs. Giants SNF Odds at DraftKings & FanDuel

DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Spread:
    • Cowboys -3 (-105)
    • Giants +3 (-115)
  • Money Line:
    • Cowboys (-162) 
    • Giants (+135)
  • Game Total:
    • Over 48.5 (-105)
    • Under 48.5 (-115)

FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Spread:
    • Cowboys -3 (-108)
    • Giants +3 (-112)
  • Money Line:
    • Cowboys (-158)
    • Giants (+134)
  • Game Total:
    • Over 48.5 (-105)
    • Under 48.5 (-115)
 

 

NFL Weather: Cowboys vs. Giants SNF, September 13th

Weather conditions at MetLife Stadium are expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures in the mid-70s at kickoff, light winds around 3-4 mph, and only a slight chance of rain. Overall, it looks like a relatively clean night. 

Cowboys vs. Giants Injuries: Sunday Night Football Week 1

The Cowboys enter SNF relatively healthy, but they’ll be without running back Malik Davis, who was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury. Dallas will turn to Emari Demercado behind Javonte Williams, with Israel Abanikanda also providing depth.

For the Giants, the biggest question is star receiver Malik Nabers. He was a full participant in practice all week but remains questionable as he works his way back from last season’s ACL tear. His availability will be one of the biggest storylines heading into kickoff.

 

 

 

NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: MVP/Captain

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys - DraftKings: $10,800 | FanDuel: $11,800

Lamb has a high floor because of his target volume and a legitimate 20+ point ceiling if Dallas moves the ball efficiently, but the emergence of Pickens certainly impacts his true ceiling these days. 

Pickens actually out-targeted Lamb last season, but the salary gap is going to keep the ownership close, a good thing for Lamb backers. The Cowboys should outpace the Giants in ownership in the top lineup spot, even if Dart is the most popular option due to his deflated price tag. 

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys - DraftKings: $10,400 | FanDuel: $12,600

If you're struggling to decide between Lamb and Pickens in the top lineup spot, it's certainly viable to go with Prescott, though that probably just pushes the decision to the Flex position since it's hard to fit all three in the same lineup. 

Dak is coming off another 4,500-yard season in which he posted a 3:1 TD:INT ratio. He doesn't use his legs as much his used to, but he still has mobility that helps him improvise and create big plays when things break down. 

George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $9,800 | FanDuel: $11,400

Pickens is coming off a breakout 2025 in which he posted 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. He enters this season as a legitimate focal point in Dallas’ passing game and has ignited controversy over who is the true alpha WR. 

Pickens has plenty of big-play ability and touchdown upside, especially if the Dallas offensive line holds off the Giants' pass rush. The primary risk is volume if Dallas decides to lean run-heavy against a vulnerable defense or if Lamb is the primary focal point of the passing attack. 

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants – DraftKings: $9,600 | FanDuel: $10,800

Dart's rushing ability gives him a strong fantasy floor. In 12 starts as a rookie, he averaged over 20 fantasy points per game while adding 487 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

The matchup with Dallas is appealing because the Cowboys struggled badly against the pass last season, although their defense has been significantly revamped entering 2026. That makes Dart's passing projection less certain, but his rushing ability provides a path to production even if the Giants struggle to move the ball consistently. 

As the fourth highest-priced option on the slate, Dart has significant upside as the top overall play, especially if the Giants are forced into a pass-heavy game plan playing from behind. 

 

 

 

NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: Core Plays

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants – DraftKings: $9,400 | FanDuel: $10,200

Nabers would likely be in consideration for significant exposure in the top lineup spot if we knew he was fully healthy. Instead, he is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward play entering Week 1. He has been medically cleared and practiced fully all week, but he remains officially questionable after last season’s ACL and meniscus injury. The final decision is expected to come down to Nabers himself. 

If active, Nabers has already demonstrated elite upside, posting 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. The problem is workload, as there is legitimate uncertainty about whether he'll receive his normal snap and target volume in his first game back from a major knee injury. That makes him much more difficult to trust in this matchup.

Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $9,000 | FanDuel: $9,800

Williams was already in line for significant work as Dallas' clear lead back after rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, and now the Cowboys have also lost top backup Malik Davis to a hip injury. That should further consolidate the workload around Williams, potentially locking him into a true workhorse role. 

The matchup is also excellent. New York allowed 145.3 rushing yards per game last season, which was the second-most in the league. Williams already showed what he can do against this defense, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown while adding six catches in their meeting last year.

Cam Skattebo, WR, New York Giants – DraftKings: $8,400 | FanDuel: $9,200

Before his season-ending ankle injury last year, Skattebo averaged 19.5 touches and 96.3 total yards across Weeks 2-7, showing the workload and efficiency needed to be a strong fantasy producer.

Skattebo should lead the New York backfield, but he's coming off a major injury. Additionally, Jaxson Dart's rushing ability and the presence of Najee Harris and Tyrone Tracy create further uncertainty around his overall workload.

 

 

NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: Mid-Tier Plays

Isaiah Likely, TE, New York Giants – DraftKings: $6,400 | FanDuel: $8,200

After spending his Baltimore career behind Mark Andrews, Likely gets a chance to operate as a featured pass catcher in New York. Reports from Giants camp have been especially encouraging, with the fifth-year tight end emerging as a trusted target for Jaxson Dart.

Likely should be in line for a significant role in any scenario, but his outlook could improve significantly if Nabers ultimately doesn't suit up or New York leans pass-heavy in a trailing game script. 

Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $5,800 | FanDuel: $8,600

Ferguson posted 82 catches, 600 yards, and eight touchdowns on 102 targets last season, with his red-zone usage providing some fantasy upside. The primary concern in this matchup is target volume with Lamb and Pickens fully healthy. 

The Wisconsin product figures to be a scoring-dependent option given the two elite receivers commanding targets ahead of him, plus glowing reports around Flournoy coming out of camp. 

Malachi Fields, WR, New York Giants – DraftKings: $5,000 | FanDuel: $7,600

The Giants drafted Fields in the third round, and he has emerged as the likely No. 2 wide receiver alongside Malik Nabers. With Darius Slayton released before the opener, Fields' path to meaningful snaps is even clearer.

At 6-foot-4, Fields brings a big catch radius and legitimate contested-catch ability, making him an appealing red-zone and downfield target for Jaxson Dart. He also flashed early chemistry with Dart in the preseason, including a touchdown on three targets in his first-team work.

If Nabers is ultimately ruled out for Week 1, Fields elevates to a core play option with potential to lead Giants receivers in target volume.  

 

 

 

NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: Value Plays

Darnell Mooney, WR, New York Giants – DraftKings: $4,000 | FanDuel: $7,200

With Darius Slayton released before the opener, Mooney should have a clear role in the Giants' receiver rotation and is expected to operate primarily from the slot. 

He is only a large-field tournament option if Nabers suits up without confirmed limitations, but Mooney's outlook improves significantly if Nabers is out or limited. 

Ryan Flournoy, WR, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $3,800 | FanDuel: $5,800

Flournoy has firmly established himself as Dallas' No. 3 receiver behind Lamb and Pickens. The Cowboys gave him a contract extension through 2027, which is a strong indication that the team sees a meaningful role for him.

 As the third or fourth option in a passing attack featuring two established stars, Flournoy might only see limited volume. His salary and expected route share, plus sneaky touchdown upside, make him a very appealing tournament play.

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants – DraftKings: $1,800 | FanDuel: $5,400

Johnson broke out somewhat in 2025, finishing with 45 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns, but his fantasy appeal has taken a significant hit with Isaiah Likely joining the Giants.

The good news is that Johnson should be healthy for Week 1 after dealing with a shoulder issue during camp, and the Giants are expected to use plenty of two-tight-end formations.

 

 

 

SNF DFS Picks: Kickers & D/ST

Brandon Aubrey is clearly the preferred kicker on the SNF slate. Dallas should have plenty of scoring opportunities against a Giants defense that is still adjusting to a new scheme, and Aubrey's elite range gives him upside even if drives stall outside the red zone. He's one of the few kickers who can realistically turn a couple of long field goals into a slate-winning score.

Dominic Zvada is an interesting value option for New York. The rookie has impressive range and was brought in with the expectation that he can finally stabilize a position that has been a problem for the Giants.

The Cowboys D/ST is the preferred fantasy defense in this matchup. Dallas completely revamped its defense after a disappointing 2025 season, adding significant talent up front and introducing a new scheme under coordinator Christian Parker. The matchup with Jaxson Dart provides sack and turnover upside, particularly if Dallas can force the young quarterback into obvious passing situations. 

The Giants D/ST is interesting as a contrarian Showdown option. New York has an aggressive front led by Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and the Cowboys will be without Tyler Smith on the offensive line. That creates a legitimate path to sacks against Dak Prescott, but Dallas' passing-game talent makes the Giants a much riskier play. 
 

 

 

 

Cowboys vs. Giants DFS Player Pool: SNF, 9/13

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