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Nobody expected the New York Giants to show up like that. Seriously. Most fans were already checking mock drafts and looking at the top of the board, assuming the Dallas Cowboys would just walk into MetLife Stadium and finish their business. But the NFL is weird. The final score giants and cowboys ended up being 34-17 in favor of New York, a result that felt like a fever dream for anyone who followed the 2025 season.
It was January 4, 2026. Cold. Windy. The kind of day where jerseys get stained with mud and dignity is hard to come by. The Giants were 3-13 entering the game. The Cowboys were basically playing for pride and a better seed, but they looked like a team that had already checked out for the winter.
Breaking Down the 34-17 Shockway
If you just look at the box score, you see a blowout. But the game was actually a chaotic mess for three quarters. The Giants didn't just win; they bullied a Dallas team that has historically owned them. Think about it: New York had lost nine straight to the Cowboys. Fourteen straight to Dak Prescott. That streak is finally dead.
Jaxson Dart, the rookie who has been through the absolute ringer this year, finally looked like the guy the Giants hoped they were drafting. He went 22 for 32 for 230 yards and two scores. His passer rating was 110.2. That’s his career high. His best play? A weird, backhand flip to Daniel Bellinger that went for 29 yards and a touchdown. It shouldn't have worked. It looked like something you'd try in a backyard game after a few beers, but it gave the Giants a 16-10 lead at the half and changed the whole vibe of the stadium.
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The Stats That Actually Mattered
- Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 159 total yards. The kid is a monster. He had 103 on the ground and 56 through the air.
- Jadeveon Clowney: 3 sacks for Dallas. He was the only one who seemed to care on that defense.
- Bobby Okereke: Two forced turnovers. He basically spent the afternoon living in the Cowboys' backfield.
- Ben Sauls: 4-for-4 on field goals. In a season of bad special teams, he was a bright spot.
Why the Cowboys Collapsed
Dallas fans are going to be arguing about this one all summer. Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach ended with a 7-9-1 record, and this loss was the exclamation point on a disappointing run. Dak Prescott started the game because he was chasing the league passing title. He needed a big day to keep Matthew Stafford at bay. He got 70 yards.
Then he sat.
Joe Milton came in for the second half, and things got ugly fast. Okereke intercepted Milton with about six minutes left, and that was basically the dagger. It was the kind of performance that makes a front office rethink everything. The Cowboys were outgained 380 to 286. They only converted 25% of their third downs. You can’t win like that. Not in the NFC East. Not anywhere.
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The Draft Pick Dilemma
Here is the part that sucks for Giants fans who care about the long game. By winning this game and the one before it, the Giants actually messed up their draft position. They were sitting pretty for a top-two pick. Now? They are at No. 5.
It’s the classic "meaningless win" trap. You love to beat Dallas. You hate to lose a shot at a generational franchise savior. John Mara was seen getting a game ball after the win—a sentimental moment given his recent health battles—but the front office is now staring at a much more complicated scouting board.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Giants are entering another coaching search. It feels like a cycle that never ends. They’ve got the 5th pick and a quarterback in Jaxson Dart who showed enough in this game to make you wonder if he’s the answer or just a high-end bridge.
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Dallas has to figure out their identity. The Micah Parsons trade to Green Bay earlier in the season still looms large over this defense. They gave up 34 points to one of the worst offenses in the league. That’s a problem that a few draft picks won't fix overnight.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 2026 Draft Order: The Giants are officially at No. 5. Keep an eye on the Raiders and Jets at the top.
- Check the Injury Reports: Both teams had players leave early; keep an eye on Tyrone Tracy’s workload heading into the offseason.
- Follow the Coaching Carousel: New York is looking for a leader. Dallas is looking for a soul.
The final score giants and cowboys of 34-17 won't be forgotten soon, mostly because it was so wildly off-script. It was a weird, gritty end to a weird, gritty season.