EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tedy Bruschi named the Dallas Cowboys his pick to win the NFC on Sunday morning, hours before Dallas opens the 2026 season against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
The NFL on ESPN account posted the clip on X at 11:49 a.m. CT. Bruschi is a three-time Super Bowl champion who spent 13 seasons at linebacker for the New England Patriots.
The pick was already on the record. In ESPN’s preseason predictions published Sept. 10, Bruschi took the Cowboys to win the conference and the Patriots to win Super Bowl LXI. Dallas drew 5 of the NFC votes cast by more than 60 ESPN analysts, writers, and commentators. The Los Angeles Rams drew 43.
Bruschi said Dallas solidified its defense over the offseason.
“Fellas, this statement is true. Sam Darnold is the Super Bowl champion,” Bruschi said. “Anything can happen. I mean, the guy that we were down on as a quarterback ended up having a great season for the Seattle Seahawks. They go ahead and win the Super Bowl. Anything can happen here. These Cowboys have done everything right in the offseason, solidifying the defense. We’ve talked about the offense, what Dak can do. It’s going to be special. He’s going to put up numbers.”
Darnold completed 19-of-38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in Seattle’s 29-13 win over New England in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8.
The Cowboys’ Defensive Front Under Christian Parker
Dallas finished 7-9-1 last season, the first for Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, and allowed 30.1 points per game, 32nd in the league. Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker was hired before the draft.
The turnover Bruschi listed runs through the defensive front. Kenny Clark arrived a week before the 2025 season in the Micah Parsons trade and started all 17 games, finishing with 36 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Quinnen Williams came at the trade deadline and later signed a three-year, $105.9 million extension. On March 9, Dallas acquired Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick, with $18 million owed in 2026 and $21 million in 2027. Von Miller agreed to terms on a one-year deal after recording 9 sacks in 17 games for the Washington Commanders on 37% of the defensive snaps.
Bruschi said Gary was a captain in Green Bay before the trade.
“I just think those stabilizing forces, even the Von Miller signing, in a locker room to just bring some maturity and some leadership and some championship mettle in there,” Bruschi explained. “I mean, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, a former captain in Green Bay. These guys are stabilizing forces, not just good players. That’s why I see a little bit different Dallas here. I think Schottenheimer can get them going. This is, fellas, this is my NFC Super Bowl pick.”
Dak Prescott And The Cowboys Open at the New York Giants
Dak Prescott played all 17 games last season and threw for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 67.3% of his attempts. Dallas led the NFL at 278.5 passing yards per game and scored 27.7 points per game, seventh in the league. Rookie safety Caleb Downs went to Dallas at No. 11 overall in April.
Bruschi said Prescott can change things this year.
“I know it’s an early preview. I feel this high on this team,” Bruschi said. “It’s sort of my, like, why not pick. Why not? I mean, we saw Sam in Seattle come out of nowhere last year. I think Dak can make a change this year.”
Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC. Dallas is a three-point favorite with the total at 48.5, and Giants coach John Harbaugh coaches his first game in New York. Dallas is 8-0 all time in Week 1 primetime games against the Giants.
