The New York Giants kicked off the 2026 season with a statement win, taking down the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was the star of the show, and his biggest fan—girlfriend Marissa Ayers—was there to soak it all in.
Dart, the 25th overall pick in last year's draft, delivered a near-flawless performance, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with zero turnovers. He also added 54 yards on the ground, showing off the dual-threat ability that made him a standout at Ole Miss.
Giants head coach Jim Harbaugh couldn't hide his admiration for his young signal-caller after the game. "For him to have all this on his plate and to execute the way he did, to me, was just tremendous and very impressive," Harbaugh said. "It was a great performance by Jaxson."
While Dart was busy carving up the Cowboys' defense, Ayers was in the stands at MetLife Stadium, cheering on her man. The couple went public with their relationship during the 2025 season, and they've been each other's biggest supporters ever since.
"She's been amazing. I mean, I can't say good enough things about her," Dart told PEOPLE. "Things have come around so fast between us. It's really cool when you have two people who are independent what they do, but at the same time… are each other's biggest cheerleaders."
After the win, Ayers took to social media to share a few snaps from her game-day outfit, captioning the post: "my boy's bringing six-y back." It's a playful nod to the Giants' new era under Harbaugh, and a clear sign that she's all in on the ride.
The Giants' Week 1 triumph wasn't just about Dart's arm—it was a complete team effort. New York racked up 165 rushing yards and controlled the clock for over 36 minutes, keeping the Cowboys' offense off the field and grinding out a physical win. That kind of balanced attack will be crucial as they head into a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
For Cowboys fans, the loss stings, and questions are already swirling about the team's direction. Some are calling for a blockbuster trade to shake things up, while others are pointing fingers at the coaching staff for a flat performance. The Schottenheimer-led staff has taken responsibility, but the pressure is mounting in Dallas.
Meanwhile, the Giants are riding high, and the monster ratings for the SNF opener show just how much buzz this rivalry still generates. With a 1-0 start and a confident young quarterback, New York is looking like a team to watch in the NFC East.
Kickoff for the Giants-Rams game is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. If Dart and company can keep up this level of play, they could be 2-0 before the league even blinks.
