Football Score for Dallas Cowboys: What Really Happened This Season

Football Score for Dallas Cowboys: What Really Happened This Season

So, you’re looking for the latest football score for dallas cowboys, and honestly? It’s a bit of a rough scene right now. If you missed the regular-season finale on January 4, 2026, the scoreboard at MetLife Stadium told a pretty depressing story: Giants 34, Cowboys 17.

It wasn't just a loss. It was a "stumble into the offseason" kind of game that left fans wondering where the spark went. The Cowboys finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a weird, lackluster record of 7-9-1. Yep, that "1" is a tie from a wild 40-40 overtime game against the Packers back in September.

For a team that usually carries Super Bowl expectations like a heavy rucksack, missing the playoffs for the second straight year feels like a gut punch. But if you dig into the box scores, the reality is more complicated than just a win-loss column.

That Final Score vs. the Giants: A Breakdown

The January 4th game was supposed to be a "get-right" game against a struggling New York team. Instead, it was a mess. The Cowboys actually led 10-6 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 14-yard touchdown run by Jaydon Blue. But then the wheels just fell off.

The Giants outscored Dallas 28-7 over the final three quarters. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart basically picked the Dallas secondary apart, and Ben Sauls (the Giants' kicker) was lights out, hitting four field goals.

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  • Final Score: NYG 34, DAL 17
  • Dak Prescott’s Day: 7 for 11, 70 yards (He was pulled later as Joe Milton III got some reps).
  • The Bright Spot: Rookie running back Phil Mafah made his NFL debut and punched in a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth.

Honestly, the most impressive stat from that game didn't even come from the offense. Jadeveon Clowney went absolutely nuclear with a career-high three sacks. It’s a bit ironic that the defense had such a standout individual performance in a game where they gave up 34 points.

Why the Football Score for Dallas Cowboys Looked Different This Year

If you look at the total season stats, you’d think this was a playoff team. Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. George Pickens, in his first year with the star on his helmet, was a revelation. He hauled in 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine scores.

But the "points against" column is where the nightmare lives.

The defense gave up over 500 points this season. That is staggering. You can't win in the NFL when your defense is basically a revolving door. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was let go because of it. They had a turnover ratio of -9. That’s how you end up with a football score for dallas cowboys that consistently leans toward the opponent.

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The November Emotional Rollercoaster

You can't talk about this season's scores without mentioning November. It was easily the most emotional stretch of football in recent memory for Dallas. On November 5th, the team lost defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in a tragic accident.

Just two days prior, Kneeland had scored a touchdown against the Cardinals.

The team somehow rallied. They beat the Raiders, then pulled off a massive 21-point comeback against the Eagles, and followed it up with a 31-28 thriller over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving. For a moment, the scores looked like they were trending toward a miracle playoff run. But the tank ran empty in December.

What Most People Get Wrong About the 7-9-1 Record

A lot of people see a losing record and assume the team is "trash." That's not quite right.

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The Cowboys actually had a top-tier offense. They put up 471 points over the season. The problem was situational. They lost a heartbreaker to the Lions (44-30) and got bullied by the Vikings (34-26). Basically, if the offense didn't score 35+, they didn't win.

Key Season Leaders

  • Passing: Dak Prescott (4,552 Yds, 30 TD)
  • Rushing: Javonte Williams (1,201 Yds, 11 TD)
  • Receiving: George Pickens (1,429 Yds, 9 TD)
  • Kicking: Brandon Aubrey (155 points, 2nd Team All-Pro)

Brandon Aubrey remains the most consistent weapon on the roster. He’s basically a cheat code. When the offense stalled, he was there to salvage a football score for dallas cowboys with 50-plus yarders like they were extra points.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Offseason Reset

Jerry Jones is already making noise about an "all-in" reset. With 22 pending free agents and a defense that needs a complete overhaul, the 2026 schedule looks daunting. They’ve got matchups against the Seahawks (who went 14-3), the 49ers, and an intra-state battle with the Texans.

If you want to keep track of where this team is going, here is what you need to watch for in the coming months:

  1. The New Defensive Coordinator: Whoever takes over for Eberflus has to fix the sack production (only 35 this year) and the turnover margin.
  2. The Quinnen Williams Factor: Keeping the interior defensive line strong is priority number one.
  3. George Pickens Extension: He's the alpha wideout now. CeeDee Lamb had a "down" year by his standards (1,077 yards), so Pickens is the guy they need to lock up.

The 2025 season is in the books. It was a year of high-scoring shootouts, tragic losses, and a disappointing finish in the Meadowlands. As we head into the draft, the focus shifts from the latest football score for dallas cowboys to how they'll ensure the next one actually ends in a "W."

Actionable Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in late February. The Cowboys desperately need defensive tackle depth and a high-impact linebacker. If Jerry Jones follows through on the "reset" rumors, expect at least 15-17 roster spots to change hands before training camp starts.