The Dallas Cowboys latest score wasn’t just a number on a scoreboard; it was the final thud in a season that many fans want to scrub from their memory. 17 to 34. That’s how it ended on Sunday, January 4, 2026, against the New York Giants. Losing to a four-win team to cap off a 7-9-1 campaign? Honestly, it’s about as "Cowboys" as it gets.
Walking into MetLife Stadium, there was this tiny sliver of hope that Brian Schottenheimer’s squad could at least finish with some dignity. Instead, the Giants—led by a motivated locker room playing for owner John Mara during his cancer treatment—basically dismantled Dallas. It was 16-10 at the half, which felt manageable. But then, the wheels just fell off. Joe Milton III, stepping in for a brief stint, threw a backbreaking interception to Bobby Okereke with six minutes left.
Game over. Season over.
What Really Happened With the Dallas Cowboys Latest Score
If you look at the box score, you see 17-34. But the "how" is way more frustrating than the "what." The Cowboys' defense, which has been a sieve all year under the now-fired Matt Eberflus, allowed the Giants to march 96 yards on a single drive. That’s the longest drive New York had all season.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. The Cowboys actually finished the 2025 season with the #1 passing offense in the league. Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens (who had a monster 1,429-yard year) were out there doing everything they could. But you can't win in this league when your defense is ranked dead last in passing yards allowed. Every time Dak put up points, the defense basically said, "Hold my Gatorade," and let the opponent right back in.
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The Weird Tie and the "Almost" Moments
The 2025-2026 season was defined by games that didn't make sense. Remember the 40-40 tie against Green Bay back in September? That was the game right after the Micah Parsons trade. Seeing Parsons in a Packers jersey was surreal enough, but the Cowboys' offense actually hung 40 on his new defense. It gave everyone this false sense of security. Like, "Hey, we can outscore anyone!"
Turns out, you can't.
- September 14: A thrilling 40-37 OT win against the Giants (the high point, ironically).
- November 23: A 24-21 gutsy win over the Eagles that had people whispering about a playoff push.
- December 21: The 34-17 loss to the Chargers that officially eliminated Dallas from the postseason.
Why 7-9-1 is the Worst Possible Outcome
In the NFL, being mediocre is worse than being bad. If you're 2-15, you get a top pick. If you're 7-9-1, you’re stuck in the middle. You’re picking in the mid-teens, and you’re $34 million over the salary cap. That’s the reality Jerry Jones is staring at right now.
There’s a lot of talk about roster turnover. Sources around the Star in Frisco are suggesting that up to 17 players could be on the chopping block. We’re talking about names like Jadeveon Clowney, who led the team with 8.5 sacks, and even Javonte Williams, despite his 1,200-yard season.
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Jerry Jones was quoted after that final loss saying he wants to make "as dramatic a difference" as possible. For a guy who turns 84 this year, "all-in" takes on a very literal meaning. He doesn't have time for a five-year rebuild.
The Coaching Carousel
Brian Schottenheimer is staying—at least for now. But the defensive coordinator spot is a massive void. The team needs someone who can fix a secondary that gave up 265.9 yards per game. It didn't matter that DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson were back there; the scheme was constantly getting exploited.
What Fans Are Actually Searching For
When people look up the Dallas Cowboys latest score, they aren't just looking for the points. They want to know if the nightmare is over and what’s happening next. Here is the blunt reality of where the team stands as of mid-January 2026:
- Draft Position: Because of the 7-9-1 record, Dallas is looking at a mid-round pick. They desperately need a cornerstone linebacker or a shutdown corner.
- Free Agency: Brandon Aubrey (the Kicker) is a Restricted Free Agent. He’s basically the only consistent thing about this team, scoring 155 points this season. Keeping him is priority number one.
- The Dak Situation: Prescott is still in his prime, but the cap hit is massive. Expect a restructure that kicks the can down the road even further.
The loss to the Giants wasn't an outlier; it was a symptom. When you allow a 4-13 team to put up 34 points on you, the problems are structural. It’s not about one bad play or a missed block. It’s about a defense that lacked identity and an offense that had to be perfect just to keep the game competitive.
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How to Track the Offseason Reset
If you're following the Cowboys into the 2026 offseason, the next major milestones aren't on the field. They're in the front office.
Keep an eye on the legal and financial moves starting in February. The team has to get under the cap before the new league year begins in March. This means we are going to see some very popular players wearing different jerseys next fall. It's going to be a painful spring for fans who buy jerseys based on current rosters.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the Defensive Coordinator Search: This is the single most important hire of the 2026 offseason. If they hire a retread, expect similar results.
- Watch the Franchise Tag Window: George Pickens is a prime candidate if a long-term deal isn't reached quickly.
- Check the 2026 Opponent List: We already know Dallas will face the Ravens, 49ers, and Texans next year. It's an brutal schedule for a team in transition.