Giants HC John Harbaugh sends warning to Cowboys ahead of Week 1 showdown

Head coach John Harbaugh won't have to wait long to get a feel for NFC East rivalries, as his first regular-season game in charge of the New York Giants will be a home "Sunday Night Football" matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13. 

While speaking with passionate Giants fans at a town hall event in Manhattan on Monday evening, Harbaugh offered a warning to the other teams in the division. 

John Harbaugh already has the Giants preparing to face the Cowboys in Week 1

"I could [not] care less about what’s happened last year or the year before that or 10 years before that," Harbaugh said, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "All I care about is tomorrow’s practice, because if tomorrow’s practice is the way it’s supposed to be, that will be one more step in the direction of being a good enough football team to kick the Cowboys’  a—."

The Giants haven't claimed the NFC East division crown since the 2011 season, and they've notched just one playoff victory since the start of the 2012 campaign. According to Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media, the Giants have gone 2-16 against the Cowboys since the start of the 2017 season. Since Week 1 of the 2014 campaign, Big Blue has gone 5-20 against the hated Philadelphia Eagles. 

"That hate is well placed," Harbaugh added while speaking about the Giants' divisional opponents. "Could you add a little bit for the Washington Commanders, too? Throw them in there."

John Harbaugh doesn't have to teach all Giants players about hating NFC East teams

Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has made it known over the years that he isn't particularly fond of those who root for the Eagles. On Monday night, Thibodeaux echoed his coach regarding the Giants' divisional foes. 

"I hate them," Thibodeaux said. "I think it’s the right place at the right time with the right people, with the right coaches, with the right fans. This is the perfect year for a miracle story."

While Thibodeaux was the subject of some trade rumors earlier this spring, it now seems like he is part of Harbaugh's plans for at least the start of the upcoming season. Thus, Thibodeaux could make his hatred felt on the field when the Giants welcome the Cowboys to MetLife Stadium for the Week 1 prime-time showdown.