The Dallas Cowboys are done for the year. Honestly, if you watched that Week 18 regular-season finale, the final score of the cowboys game—a 34-17 drubbing by the New York Giants—was basically the perfect, painful microcosm of their entire 2025-2026 campaign. It was messy. It was confusing. It was, in many ways, quintessential Dallas.
Walking into MetLife Stadium on January 4, 2026, there was this tiny sliver of hope that the Cowboys might actually finish strong. Maybe they’d build some momentum for next year? Nope. Instead, they got steamrolled by a Giants team that had only won three games prior to kickoff.
The Breakdown: What Happened in the Final Score of the Cowboys Game
If you just look at the 34-17 scoreboard, it looks like a blowout. And it was. But the way they got there was sort of a weird journey. Dallas actually led early on. Rookie Jaydon Blue punched in a 14-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and for a second, it felt like the Cowboys might actually take care of business. Then the wheels didn't just fall off; they disintegrated.
Dak Prescott was out there playing for a milestone. He wanted to be the first Cowboy to lead the league in passing yards. He finished the first half with 70 yards, which put him at 4,525 for the season—surpassing his own 2019 mark for third on the franchise's single-season list. But Mike McCarthy pulled him at halftime. Whether that was to protect him or just because the game was getting ugly is anyone’s guess.
Joe Milton III took over in the third, and things went south fast. Bobby Okereke intercepted Milton’s very first pass, and the Giants turned that into a Devin Singletary touchdown. Game over.
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Why the Defense Couldn't Stop Jaxson Dart
It’s kinda wild to think a rookie like Jaxson Dart could look that comfortable against a Dan Quinn-coached unit, but he did. Dart threw for 230 yards and two scores. The Cowboys' defense, which has been the one reliable thing for years, just looked gassed.
Jadeveon Clowney was a bright spot, though. He notched a career-high three sacks in this game. He was flying around, forcing fumbles, and basically playing like his hair was on fire. It just wasn't enough to stop Tyrone Tracy Jr., who shredded the Dallas front for 159 total yards.
- Final Score: Giants 34, Cowboys 17
- Dak Prescott Stat Line: 7-of-11, 70 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- Leading Rusher: Jaydon Blue (64 yards, 1 TD)
- Defensive Standout: Jadeveon Clowney (3 sacks, 6 tackles)
Sorting Through the 7-9-1 Season
So, the final score of the cowboys game leaves them at 7-9-1. It’s a weird record. That tie earlier in the season against the Lions (or whoever it was, the schedule has been a blur) really messed with the seeding, but in the end, it didn't matter. They missed the playoffs entirely.
While the Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for another run, the Cowboys are looking at a 2026 opponent list that looks like a gauntlet. They have to play the Texans, the Seahawks, and the Rams on the road next year. If they can’t beat a 3-win Giants team to close out the season, how are they supposed to handle C.J. Stroud or a reinvigorated Seattle offense?
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There’s a lot of talk about the "culture" in the building. You've heard it a million times. But when you see the lack of discipline in a meaningless Week 18 game, it makes you wonder if the message is just getting stale. The Giants were playing for pride and a better draft pick, and they still looked more organized than the "America's Team" roster.
Rookie Watch: Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue
If you're looking for a reason to not throw your jersey in the trash, look at the backfield. Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah both scored their first career touchdowns in this game. Mafah was actually making his NFL debut.
Seeing two young guys find the end zone is great, but it’s also a reminder that the veteran presence on this team is aging. The window isn't just closing; it’s basically shut.
What This Means for Mike McCarthy and Dak
The final score of the cowboys game is going to fuel sports talk radio for the next six months. Is Dak still the guy? He’s put up massive numbers, but the win-loss column doesn’t lie. And Mike McCarthy? His seat has to be incinerator-hot at this point.
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Jerry Jones said after the game that he was "disappointed but not discouraged," which is classic Jerry-speak for "I’m going to change everything but tell you I’m not."
The reality is that 17 points against one of the worst defenses in the league is unacceptable.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for the Offseason
The Cowboys can't just run it back. Here is what actually needs to happen before the 2026 season kicks off:
- Fix the Interior D-Line: Jadeveon Clowney is great on the edge, but the Giants ran for 161 yards. That’s a massive hole in the middle that needs a first-round solution.
- Evaluate the QB Room: Dak is the starter, but Joe Milton III showed he’s still very raw. They need a veteran backup who can actually manage a game if Dak goes down or gets pulled.
- Discipline Overhaul: The Cowboys were one of the most penalized teams in the league this year. That’s coaching. Period.
- Embrace the Youth: Blue and Mafah showed more spark in one afternoon than some of the veteran starters showed all month.
The final score of the cowboys game might be 34-17, but the real score is 0-0 heading into the offseason. It’s time to stop talking about "next year" and actually build a roster that doesn't collapse against divisional rivals in January.
Go grab a jersey of one of the rookies while they're still cheap. If this team is going to turn it around, it's going to be on the backs of the kids who actually still have something to prove. Keep an eye on the upcoming NFL Draft in April; that’s where the real rebuilding of the Cowboys' identity begins.