Cowboys Score for Today's Game: Why the Season Ended So Early

Cowboys Score for Today's Game: Why the Season Ended So Early

If you’re checking the Cowboys score for today's game, I have some tough news. There isn't one. Today is January 15, 2026, and while the NFL playoffs are currently heating up for the Divisional Round this weekend, the Dallas Cowboys are already back in Texas—likely already thinking about the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dallas officially ended their season on January 4, 2026, with a thud. They didn't make the cut. No playoffs. No "Cowboys Today" headlines about a miraculous Super Bowl run. Just a long off-season ahead for Jerry Jones and a fan base that's starting to lose its collective mind.

What Happened to the Dallas Cowboys?

Honestly, the end was kind of ugly. The last time the Cowboys touched the field was that Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants. If you missed it, the final score was Giants 34, Cowboys 17.

It wasn't even as close as that 17-point gap suggests. Dallas looked flat. They looked tired. Basically, they looked like a team that knew their season was over before the fourth quarter even started. Dak Prescott didn't even finish the game; he was pulled at halftime after a pretty mediocre showing, giving way to Joe Milton III.

By the time the clock hit zero at MetLife Stadium, the Cowboys' record sat at 7-9-1.

That tie against Green Bay back in September really stands out now, doesn't it? If they’d managed to snag a win there, maybe the vibes heading into December wouldn't have been so toxic. Instead, they finished second in the NFC East, trailing way behind an 11-6 Philadelphia Eagles team that took the division crown.

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The Playoff Bracket Without Dallas

People keep searching for the Cowboys score for today's game because they see the NFL schedule and assume America’s Team is in the mix. They aren't.

While the Cowboys are on vacation, the rest of the NFC is busy. We just finished the Wild Card round (Jan 10-12), and the results were wild. The 49ers knocked out the Eagles, and the Rams survived a 34-31 thriller against the Panthers.

Here is the current reality for the weekend of January 17-18, 2026:

  • San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
  • Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams
  • Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (The Broncos are the #1 seed in the AFC—can you believe that?)
  • Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots

It’s a strange feeling seeing a Divisional Round schedule that doesn't include a single star on the helmet. But that's where we are. The defense, led by Matt Eberflus, just couldn't stop anybody in the final stretch, giving up 30-plus points in multiple late-season games.

Key Stats from the 2025-26 Campaign

It wasn't all bad, though. Dak actually put up decent numbers before the wheels fell off. He passed for 4,525 yards this season, which, believe it or not, ranks third on the Cowboys' all-time single-season list.

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George Pickens turned out to be a massive bright spot. He had games where he was basically unguardable, like that 168-yard performance against Carolina. And Brandon Aubrey? The guy is still a machine. He kept them in games they had no business being in.

But football is a team sport.

When your run game is inconsistent and your defense is Swiss cheese on third down, yardage records don't mean much. The Week 18 loss to a 4-13 Giants team was the ultimate "cherry on top" of a season that went off the rails.

Why People Are Still Searching for the Score

There’s a weird phenomenon with the Cowboys. Even when they’re bad, they’re the center of the universe.

Maybe you saw a highlight on social media or heard a rumor about a coaching change and thought there was a game on. Or maybe you're just used to the Cowboys playing deep into January.

👉 See also: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters

Whatever the reason, the "today" in Cowboys score for today's game is a bit of a ghost. The only score that matters right now is the one on the draft board. Dallas is looking at a middle-of-the-pack pick, which is the worst place to be—not bad enough for a top-three savior, not good enough to compete for a trophy.

What's Next for the Dallas Cowboys?

If you're looking for something to track, keep an eye on the coaching carousel. Brian Schottenheimer is under a massive microscope right now. Jerry Jones was uncharacteristically quiet after the Giants loss, which usually means he’s either incredibly angry or planning something big.

The 2026 NFL Draft is where the focus shifts now.

They need help on the defensive line, despite Jadeveon Clowney having a career year with 3 sacks in that final game. They need a consistent identity. Most of all, they need to figure out if this core can ever actually get over the hump.

Actionable Next Steps for Cowboys Fans:

  • Check the Draft Order: Dallas is projected to pick in the mid-teens. Start looking at scouting reports for defensive tackles and interior offensive linemen.
  • Watch the Divisional Round: Even though the Cowboys aren't playing, watching the Seahawks/49ers game will give you a good look at what a championship-caliber NFC defense actually looks like.
  • Ignore the "Today" Score Alerts: Set your sports apps to "Off-Season Mode" for Dallas. You won't see another official Cowboys score until the preseason kicks off in August 2026.

The season is over. It hurts, it’s frustrating, and it feels like a repeat of every year since the mid-90s. But for now, the only score for the Cowboys is 0-0, just like every other team starting their off-season.