If you’re looking for the Dallas Cowboys score today live, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. There is no game today.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Playoffs are officially kicking off this afternoon, the Cowboys are watching from the couch. Again. After a bumpy 7-9-1 season, Dallas missed the postseason entirely, leaving fans to sift through the wreckage of what went wrong instead of planning Super Bowl parties.
The last time we saw them on the field was back on January 4, 2026. It wasn't pretty. They got handled by the New York Giants, losing 34-17 in a game that felt like a summary of their whole year: flashes of brilliance buried under a mountain of inconsistency.
The Finale: What Happened in the Last Game?
Honestly, the Week 18 loss to the Giants was weird. Dak Prescott played the first half, looked decent enough—going 7-for-11 for 70 yards—but then he sat. Brian Schottenheimer decided to give the young guys a look, and Joe Milton III took the reins in the second half.
Milton finished with 73 yards on 13 attempts. It was basically a preseason vibe in the middle of January.
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The bright spots? Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah both punched in their first career NFL touchdowns. But the defense? Man, that unit struggled. They gave up 34 points to a Giants team that hadn't been doing much of anything all year. It was the final straw for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who was let go shortly after.
- Cowboys 17
- Giants 34
That’s the score that ended the season.
Why the Score Today is Zero
Since the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East with that weird tie on their record, they didn't even sniff a Wild Card spot. While teams like the Eagles and Seahawks are preparing for the Divisional Round this weekend, the Cowboys are already knee-deep in "Salary Cap Hell."
Jerry Jones has been pretty vocal lately. He told reporters after the finale that he’s looking to make "dramatic" changes. Usually, that’s just Jerry being Jerry, but this time feels different. The team is currently about $34 million over the cap.
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You can’t just "run it back" when you’re that far in the red.
The Stats That Actually Matter
Dak Prescott actually had a statistically great year, even if the wins didn't follow. He threw for 4,552 yards. That’s actually the second-highest total of his entire career.
On the defensive side, Jadeveon Clowney was a bright spot with 8.5 sacks. But the team total of 35 sacks was their lowest since 2020. You aren't winning many playoff games—or even getting to them—without putting pressure on the quarterback.
What’s Next for Dallas?
Since there’s no Dallas Cowboys score today live to track, the "score" is now being kept in the front office. We’re looking at a massive roster reset.
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Expect to see some big names walking out the door. The word around the Star in Frisco is that nearly 17 players could be released or allowed to walk in free agency. They need to get under that cap, and they need to do it fast.
The 2026 opponents are already locked in, too. Because they finished second in the division, they’ll play a "second-place" schedule. That means dates with the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the horizon for next fall.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to stay productive while the Cowboys are out of the mix, here is what you should be watching:
- Monitor the Defensive Coordinator Search: With Eberflus out, the new hire will signal exactly how "all-in" Jerry really is.
- Track the Cap Casualties: Keep an eye on George Pickens and Javonte Williams. The team wants them back, but the math is tricky.
- 2026 Draft Order: Dallas is picking earlier than they’d like, which means a chance at a blue-chip defensive prospect.
The season is over, but the drama is just starting.
Next Steps for the Offseason
To prepare for the 2026 season, fans should focus on the NFL Scouting Combine starting February 23 in Indianapolis. This will be the first real look at the talent Jerry Jones might bring in to fix that struggling defense. Also, mark March 11 on your calendar—that's when the new league year starts and the real roster purging begins.