The Dallas Cowboys have NO EXCUSES against the New York Giants in Week 1. On this episode of Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast, host James Duncan breaks down the good news and the REALLY bad news for Dallas heading into Sunday Night Football. The bad news is significant: Tyler Smith is officially headed to injured reserve after undergoing surgery on his injured thumb, leaving the Cowboys without one of the foundational pieces of their offensive line to begin the 2026 NFL season. T.J. Bass is expected to step in at left guard, while Dallas has also added veteran offensive line insurance as it prepares for a Giants pass rush featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter. And that creates the biggest question for the Cowboys offense: Can Dallas protect Dak Prescott? Because the Cowboys have the weapons. Dak has CeeDee Lamb. He has George Pickens. He has Jake Ferguson. Dallas has invested in its offensive line and added Broderick Jones. But none of those weapons matter if Dak doesn't have enough time to get them the football. James breaks down why Tyler Smith's absence is a legitimate concern — but also why Cowboys fans shouldn't accept it as an excuse if Dallas struggles against New York. Because outside of Smith, the Cowboys are entering Week 1 in remarkably good shape. And if Dallas really believes it can contend in 2026, this is exactly the type of football game it needs to win. Then it's time to talk about the new-look Cowboys defense. Quinnen Williams. Kenny Clark. Rashan Gary. Von Miller. Caleb Downs. Shavon Revel Jr. Malachi Lawrence. Dallas spent the offseason rebuilding this defense. Now it's time to PROVE it. The Cowboys get an immediate test against Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers and the Giants offense. James explains why Dallas needs to make life miserable for New York's young quarterback and why this is the perfect opportunity for the Cowboys' revamped defense to make its first statement of the season. Offensively, the pressure is on Dak Prescott as well. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have the potential to become one of the NFL's most dangerous wide receiver combinations, and Week 1 is their first opportunity to show Cowboys Nation exactly what this offense can become. No excuses. No offseason projections. It's time to play football. Can the Cowboys overcome the Tyler Smith injury and take care of business against the Giants on Sunday Night Football? Cowboys Nation — give James your Cowboys-Giants prediction, final score and ONE Cowboys player you think takes over the game. Subscribe to Locked On Cowboys Hit for daily Dallas Cowboys news, Cowboys rumors, breaking updates, injury news, roster moves, player analysis, game previews and NFL coverage from James Duncan. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #CowboysGiants #TylerSmith #DakPrescott #CeeDeeLamb #GeorgePickens #CowboysNews #CowboysRumors #SundayNightFootball #NFL #LockedOnCowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have NO EXCUSES against the New York Giants in Week 1.
On this episode of Locked On Cowboys Hit Podcast, host James Duncan breaks down the good news and the REALLY bad news for Dallas heading into Sunday Night Football.
The bad news is significant: Tyler Smith is officially headed to injured reserve after undergoing surgery on his injured thumb, leaving the Cowboys without one of the foundational pieces of their offensive line to begin the 2026 NFL season.
T.J. Bass is expected to step in at left guard, while Dallas has also added veteran offensive line insurance as it prepares for a Giants pass rush featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter.
And that creates the biggest question for the Cowboys offense:
Can Dallas protect Dak Prescott?
Because the Cowboys have the weapons.
Dak has CeeDee Lamb.
He has George Pickens.
He has Jake Ferguson.
Dallas has invested in its offensive line and added Broderick Jones.
But none of those weapons matter if Dak doesn't have enough time to get them the football.
James breaks down why Tyler Smith's absence is a legitimate concern — but also why Cowboys fans shouldn't accept it as an excuse if Dallas struggles against New York.
Because outside of Smith, the Cowboys are entering Week 1 in remarkably good shape.
And if Dallas really believes it can contend in 2026, this is exactly the type of football game it needs to win.
Then it's time to talk about the new-look Cowboys defense.
Quinnen Williams. Kenny Clark. Rashan Gary. Von Miller. Caleb Downs. Shavon Revel Jr. Malachi Lawrence.
Dallas spent the offseason rebuilding this defense.
Now it's time to PROVE it.
The Cowboys get an immediate test against Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers and the Giants offense. James explains why Dallas needs to make life miserable for New York's young quarterback and why this is the perfect opportunity for the Cowboys' revamped defense to make its first statement of the season.
Offensively, the pressure is on Dak Prescott as well.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have the potential to become one of the NFL's most dangerous wide receiver combinations, and Week 1 is their first opportunity to show Cowboys Nation exactly what this offense can become.
No excuses.
No offseason projections.
It's time to play football.
Can the Cowboys overcome the Tyler Smith injury and take care of business against the Giants on Sunday Night Football?
Cowboys Nation — give James your Cowboys-Giants prediction, final score and ONE Cowboys player you think takes over the game.
Subscribe to Locked On Cowboys Hit for daily Dallas Cowboys news, Cowboys rumors, breaking updates, injury news, roster moves, player analysis, game previews and NFL coverage from James Duncan.
Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
#DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #CowboysGiants #TylerSmith #DakPrescott #CeeDeeLamb #GeorgePickens #CowboysNews #CowboysRumors #SundayNightFootball #NFL #LockedOnCowboys