Honestly, if you were refreshing your phone looking for a Dallas Cowboys score yesterday, you probably realized pretty quickly that the scoreboard at AT&T Stadium was dark. The Cowboys didn't play yesterday, January 16, 2026. Their season actually wrapped up back on January 4th with a thud—a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants that left them with a final record of 7-9-1.
It’s that weird, stagnant part of the year where the "America’s Team" hype machine hits a wall. While other teams are deep into the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Dallas is already looking at mock drafts and surgical updates. It’s a bitter pill for a fan base that expects a deep January run every single year. Instead of a live score, we’re left analyzing why the defense looked so gassed in the finale and what the future holds for the Brian Schottenheimer era.
What happened to the Cowboys' season?
The final Dallas Cowboys score yesterday was nonexistent because the team failed to secure a playoff berth. Looking back at that Week 18 game against the Giants, it was a microcosm of the whole 2025-2026 campaign. They had moments of brilliance—Jadeveon Clowney notched a career-high three sacks in that game—but they couldn't stop New York's rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
The Cowboys' defense, which had been a point of pride in previous years, surrendered 161 rushing yards to the Giants. It was a rough exit. Dak Prescott only played the first half, finishing with a measly 70 yards before Joe Milton III took over. Seeing Milton get those reps was interesting, but it didn't change the 34-17 outcome.
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Key stats from the season finale
- Final Score: Giants 34, Cowboys 17
- Dak Prescott: 70 passing yards (played only first half)
- Joe Milton III: 73 passing yards in relief
- Jadeveon Clowney: 3 sacks (a rare bright spot)
- Final Record: 7-9-1
The tie against Green Bay earlier in the season (40-40) really stands out now. In a tight NFC East race, that half-win/half-loss was a anchor around their necks.
The current state of the roster
Since there was no Dallas Cowboys score yesterday, the news cycle has shifted entirely to the training room and the front office. The big update this week involves DaRon Bland. Reports from Todd Archer at ESPN confirmed that Bland underwent surgery on his left foot. He’s expected to be ready for OTAs, but he’s prioritizing being 100% by the time training camp rolls around. Missing him for the final three games of the season was a huge blow to the secondary.
Then there’s the Jalen Tolbert situation. He basically fell off a cliff this year. After a decent 2024, he was buried on the depth chart behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Catching only 18 passes all season isn't going to cut it in Dallas. He's a free agent now, and most insiders don't expect him back in a Cowboys uniform.
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Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
We already know who the Cowboys will face next season, even if we don't know the exact dates yet. Because they finished second in the NFC East, they’ve got a "second-place" schedule. That sounds easier on paper, but it’s actually looking pretty brutal.
They’ll be facing the AFC South and the NFC West. That means games against the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and a trip to face the Houston Texans. Because 2026 is an even-numbered year, the Cowboys actually get nine home games at AT&T Stadium. That extra home game could be the difference between another 7-win season and a real playoff push, assuming they can fix the run defense.
2026 Home Opponents
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- Baltimore Ravens
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why the lack of a score matters right now
For most fans, the absence of a Dallas Cowboys score yesterday is a reminder of the "all-in" promise that didn't quite materialize. The 2025 season was supposed to be a turning point. Instead, it was a season of "what ifs." What if the defense hadn't crumbled against Detroit? What if the running game, led by Jayden Blue and Hunter Luepke, had been more consistent?
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Luepke actually had a decent year for a fullback, putting up 180 scrimmage yards and playing a ton of special teams. He’s locked in on a two-year extension, so he's one of the few "safe" names in that locker room right now.
Immediate next steps for Cowboys fans
While you won't see a live Dallas Cowboys score yesterday or anytime soon, the real action is happening off the field. You should keep a close eye on the 2026 NFL Draft order. After the Packers lost their playoff game, the first-round pick Dallas acquired from Green Bay is officially set at 20th overall.
Focus on these key areas over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the recovery of DaRon Bland; his presence is non-negotiable for the 2026 defense.
- Watch the coaching carousel, specifically looking for any shifts in the offensive staff as Brian Schottenheimer evaluates his first full year.
- Start scouting defensive tackle prospects for that 20th overall pick—the interior line needs serious help.
- Check the free agency status of George Pickens; his chemistry with Dak was one of the few highlights of the 7-9-1 run.