Raiders clinch No. 1 pick as Giants knock off Cowboys

Field Level Media|published: Sun 4th January, 16:22 2026

Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) scrambles as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Shemar James (50) defends during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jaxson Dart threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns as the New York Giants closed the season with a 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Rookie kicker Ben Sauls added four field goals for New York (4-13), which could have earned the top overall choice in the next NFL draft with a loss and a Las Vegas win against Kansas City. Instead, the Raiders clinched the No. 1 pick before hitting the field for their season finale.

Dak Prescott played the first half for Dallas (7-9-1) and completed 7 of 11 passes for 70 yards to push his season total to 4,552 yards, tops in the NFL. Matthew Stafford can eclipse him with 105 yards in the Los Angeles Rams' regular-season finale against Arizona.

Joe Milton III played the second half and hit 7 of 13 passes for 73 yards with an interception.

Dart, who hit on 22 of 32 passes, put the Giants ahead for good with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Bellinger with 20 seconds left in the first half. It capped a 96-yard drive and made it 16-10 at intermission.

Dart found Tyrone Tracy Jr. on a 13-yard strike at the 9:48 mark of the third quarter for a 24-10 advantage. After the score, Dallas defensive lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku was ejected for ripping the helmet off New York offensive lineman Greg Van Roten.

Phil Mafah pulled the Cowboys within 24-17 with a 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. But the Giants put the game away on Sauls' 30-yard field goal with 9:23 remaining and Devin Singletary's 6-yard scoring jaunt with 5:47 left.

Sauls initiated scoring with a 45-yard field goal at the 9:15 mark of the first quarter, four plays after Prescott fumbled when he slipped after taking the snap. Brandon Aubrey tied it at 3 with a 22-yarder with 5:21 left, followed by Sauls' 35-yarder with 1:17 remaining.

Dallas took a 10-6 lead on Jaydon Blue's 14-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds on the clock, but Sauls made a 23-yarder at the 9:45 mark to pull New York within a point.

--Field Level Media

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