The energy at MetLife Stadium was freezing, but the atmosphere for the Dallas Cowboys was even colder. If you were looking for a high-flying shootout or a momentum-builder to carry into the long winter months, you definitely didn't get it. Honestly, it was a mess.
The final score for Dallas Cowboys against the New York Giants on January 4, 2026, was a staggering 17-34. It wasn't just a loss. It was a 17-point blowout at the hands of a Giants team that had only managed three wins all year prior to that game. This result officially slammed the door on a disappointing 2025 campaign, leaving Dallas with a 7-9-1 record and no playoff football for the second year in a row.
Watching it unfold felt like a slow-motion car crash for anyone wearing a star on their helmet. You’ve seen this movie before, but the ending still stings.
Breaking Down the Numbers: How It Fell Apart
People always ask about the final score for Dallas Cowboys, but the "how" is usually more depressing than the numbers themselves. Dallas actually led at one point! It’s easy to forget that after Brandon Aubrey knocked through a field goal and Jaydon Blue punched in a 14-yard touchdown run, the Cowboys were up 10-6 in the first quarter.
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Then the lights basically went out on the offense.
Joe Milton III, getting the nod under center late, struggled to find any rhythm. He finished with just 73 passing yards. That is not a typo. Seventy-three. When your quarterback is averaging about five yards per completion, you aren't winning games in the modern NFL.
Meanwhile, the defense—led by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus—couldn't stop a leak. Jaxson Dart and the Giants' offense carved through them for 380 total yards. Devin Singletary's 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was just the final insult, pushing the lead to 17 and sending Cowboys fans to the exits early.
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The Scoring Summary by Quarter
- 1st Quarter: Dallas 10 - Giants 6
- 2nd Quarter: Dallas 0 - Giants 10
- 3rd Quarter: Dallas 0 - Giants 8
- 4th Quarter: Dallas 7 - Giants 10
The middle of that game was a wasteland for Dallas. Zero points in the second and third quarters while the Giants racked up 18. It’s hard to wrap your head around how a team with George Pickens and Jaydon Blue can go scoreless for half a game against a four-win team.
Why This Score Matters More Than Most
Usually, a Week 18 score is just a footnote. Not this time. This final score for Dallas Cowboys marks the first time since the early 2000s that the franchise has posted back-to-back losing seasons. Jerry Jones was visibly frustrated after the game, and you can't blame him.
The defense was the real culprit throughout the season, allowing over 30 points per game on average. Ending the year by letting the Giants—a team that struggled to score 20 points most weeks—hang 34 on them was the ultimate red flag.
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The stats tell a story of a team that won't move the chains.
Dallas went 2-for-8 on third downs.
They had more penalty yards (94) than passing yards (73).
You just can't win like that. It’s fundamentally broken football.
Looking Toward the 2026 Offseason
So, where do we go from here? The 17-34 final score for Dallas Cowboys means changes are coming, and they’re going to be loud.
Jerry Jones has already hinted at a "dramatic difference" in how the roster is built. With Dak Prescott still in his prime but the team $34 million over the cap, the front office has to get creative. Rumors are swirling that nearly 17 players could be on the chopping block to reset the culture.
The 2026 schedule isn't doing them any favors either. Since they finished second in the NFC East, they’ve got dates with the 49ers, Ravens, and the top-seeded Seahawks on the horizon. If this finale against the Giants was any indication, there is a mountain of work to do before the preseason kicks off in August.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans This Offseason
- Monitor the Defensive Coordinator Search: With the defense finishing dead last in points allowed, the new hire here will define the 2026 season.
- Watch the Salary Cap Maneuvers: Expect restructures for core players like CeeDee Lamb or Dak Prescott to get that $34 million deficit under control.
- Focus on the Draft: Dallas will likely pick in the top half of the first round. Defensive tackle and linebacker remain the biggest areas of need to fix the run defense.
- Free Agency Targets: Keep an eye on veteran secondary help. The Giants game proved that even mediocre quarterbacks can find open windows against this current group.
The 17-34 result is in the books. It’s a bitter pill, but it’s the reality of where this team stands. The road back to 10-win seasons starts with acknowledging that this finale wasn't a fluke—it was a reflection of a season that went off the rails.