FRISCO, Texas — Kenny Clark expects the New York Giants to run the ball under Matt Nagy and Greg Roman and bring a lot of Baltimore’s approach with them. The quarterback is the other half of the problem.
“A tough quarterback to go against. He can throw the ball really well,” Clark said. “And the biggest thing is just making sure our rush lanes are clear. Got to do a good job of containing them because he can get out the pocket and make some great plays on his feet. So got to do a good job of containing them for sure.”
Jaxson Dart is entering his second season. He accounted for 262 total yards and 2 passing touchdowns in the Giants’ 34-17 win over Dallas in last season’s finale at MetLife Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys had taken the first meeting 40-37 in overtime.
Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that mobile quarterbacks can beat a defense scrambling or throwing, and that Dallas has to be sound with its pass rush to keep Dart in the pocket. Rashan Gary said the Cowboys see Dart as a playmaker who will do whatever he needs to do to win.
Kenny Clark On Facing Francis Mauigoa And The New York Giants Interior
New York traded Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in April and used the No. 10 pick it got back on Francis Mauigoa, an offensive lineman out of Miami.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Clark explained. “It’s just another matchup that we’ve got to take advantage of and we’ve got to play ball.”
Arvell Reese went fifth overall to the Giants out of Ohio State. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter rush the passer, DJ Reader and Shelby Harris play inside, and Tremaine Edmunds is at Mike linebacker. John Harbaugh brought 15 assistants with him from the Baltimore Ravens, including defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
The Dallas Cowboys Front Kenny Clark Captains
Clark spent nine seasons in Green Bay before arriving in Dallas by trade ahead of last season. Quinnen Williams followed in early November. Players voted both defensive tackles team captains for 2026, and both sit on the Cowboys’ leadership council. They have a combined seven Pro Bowl selections.
Dallas restructured Clark’s contract in the same window it reworked deals for DaRon Bland and Jake Ferguson, clearing more than $19 million in cap space.
Christian Parker took over the defense this offseason. The unit allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025, a franchise record, along with 511 points and 60 touchdowns, both league worsts.
The Cowboys signed Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million extension on Aug. 10. Gary came over from the Green Bay Packers. Malachi Lawrence was the first-round pick in April, and Donovan Ezeiruaku is in his second season. Von Miller signed a one-year deal on Aug. 16, and Schottenheimer said Monday he sees no physical reason Miller could not play Sunday.
Dallas set its initial 53-man roster on Aug. 30 with 26 players on defense. Monday was a bonus practice day, and the Cowboys are off Tuesday before returning Wednesday.
The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 and have missed the playoffs two years running. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
