So, you’re looking for whats the score of the cowboys because maybe you’re stuck at work, or your streaming app decided to buffer at the worst possible moment. It happens. We’ve all been there, frantically refreshing a search page while hoping for a touchdown notification that hasn’t come yet.
As of right now, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Dallas Cowboys are currently in the thick of the NFL postseason. Specifically, they are preparing for their Divisional Round matchup against the Detroit Lions, which is scheduled to kick off tomorrow, Sunday, January 18. Because the game hasn't started yet, the score is technically 0-0. But if you’re looking for how they got here, or what happened in their last outing, that’s where things get interesting.
The Cowboys are coming off a massive 31-20 Wild Card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Dak Prescott looked sharp, throwing for three touchdowns and keeping the offense on schedule against a defense that usually gives him trouble. If you’re a Cowboys fan, that score was a massive relief after the way the regular season ended with those nagging injuries to the offensive line.
Why the Score of the Cowboys Always Feels Like a Rollercoaster
Being a Cowboys fan is basically a full-time job with zero benefits and high blood pressure. You check the score, and they’re up by 14. You check ten minutes later, and there’s a fumbled snap, a missed field goal, and suddenly it’s a dogfight.
This season has been no different. Dallas finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, securing the NFC East title over a surging Philadelphia Eagles team. But the "score" isn't just about points on a board. It's about the context. For instance, in their Week 17 matchup against the Giants, the final score of 27-10 didn't reflect how much the Cowboys struggled in the red zone during the first half.
Experts like Brian Baldinger have pointed out that while the Cowboys' defense under Mike Zimmer has become more disciplined, they still have a tendency to give up big plays when the pass rush doesn't get home. That’s something to watch for tomorrow. If the score starts tilting toward the Lions early, it’s probably because the Cowboys' front four isn't getting pressure on Jared Goff.
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Understanding the Live Score Feed
When you search for whats the score of the cowboys during a live game, Google’s OneBox usually gives you the real-time data. But there’s a lag. Sometimes that "Live" tag is about 30 to 45 seconds behind the actual broadcast. If you’re betting or playing fantasy, that half-minute feels like an eternity.
Most people don't realize that the "score" also involves the betting line. Going into tomorrow’s game, Dallas is a 3.5-point favorite. So, even if the score is Dallas 24, Detroit 21, the Cowboys technically "lost" for anyone who took the spread. It’s a weird way to look at sports, but in 2026, the gambling aspect is baked into every conversation about the score.
The Momentum Shifts That Define Dallas Football
Football is a game of inches, sure, but for the Cowboys, it’s a game of "what if."
Last week's 31-20 score was largely thanks to CeeDee Lamb’s 140 receiving yards. He’s been the engine. When the Cowboys’ score is high, it’s usually because Lamb is seeing double-digit targets. When they struggle, like in that weird 13-9 loss to the Commanders in November, it’s because the run game was nonexistent.
Honestly, the Cowboys are a "front-runner" team. Statistics show that when Dallas leads at the end of the first quarter, they win over 80% of their games. If you check the score early and they’re down by 7, start worrying. They aren't exactly known for the "miracle comeback" style of play that Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen specialize in. They prefer to bully teams from the jump.
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Key Factors for Tomorrow's Scoreboard
- The Turnover Margin: Dallas leads the league in points off turnovers. If the score looks lopsided, check the interception count.
- Kicking Woes: Brandon Aubrey has been a machine, but every Cowboys fan has PTSD from past kickers. A missed extra point can change the entire geometry of the game.
- Time of Possession: Mike McCarthy likes to "milk the clock" when he has a lead. This can lead to lower-scoring fourth quarters even if the game feels like a blowout.
The Lions are no pushover. They ended the season with the #1 ranked rushing offense. If Detroit can keep the ball for 35 minutes, the score of the Cowboys game is going to be uncomfortably low for Dallas fans.
Tracking the Cowboys Score Across Different Platforms
If you aren't near a TV tomorrow, you’ve got options.
The NFL+ app is the most direct, but it's buggy. Twitter (X) is actually the fastest way to see a score change, often beating the official NFL site by a few seconds because of "citizen journalists" in the stadium posting clips.
Just be careful with the "fake" scores. During the playoffs, parody accounts love to post final scores while the game is still in the third quarter to bait clicks. Always look for the verified checkmark or stick to the major networks like ESPN or CBS Sports.
Why Does Everyone Care So Much?
The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise on the planet. Jerry Jones has built an empire that people love to hate. This means that whether the score is 40-0 or 0-40, it’s going to be the lead story on First Take the next morning.
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There’s a psychological element to the Cowboys’ score. For fans, it’s validation. For detractors, it’s a chance to use the "America’s Team" label as a sarcastic weapon. This pressure actually affects the players. Former players like Troy Aikman have frequently mentioned how the "noise" in Dallas is louder than anywhere else. That noise gets deafening when the score isn't going their way at AT&T Stadium.
Historical Context: Notable Cowboys Scores
To understand why people are so obsessed with whats the score of the cowboys, you have to look at the history of high-stakes games.
- The 1993 NFC Championship: Cowboys 38, 49ers 21. This was the peak of the dynasty.
- The "Dez Caught It" Game: 2014 Divisional Round, Cowboys 21, Packers 26. A score that still haunts North Texas.
- The 2023 Playoff Meltdown: Cowboys 32, Packers 48. A score that almost got Mike McCarthy fired.
Every time you look up the score, you’re looking at a new chapter in this long, often heartbreaking saga. Tomorrow’s score against the Lions will determine if this 2025-2026 squad is finally different or just another talented group that flied too close to the sun.
What to Do Before Kickoff
If you're waiting for the game to start, the best move is to set up your alerts now.
Go into your preferred sports app—Bleacher Report and ESPN are usually the most reliable for iPhone and Android—and "favorite" the Dallas Cowboys. Make sure "Scoring Plays" and "Quarterly Updates" are toggled on.
Also, keep an eye on the inactive list which drops about 90 minutes before kickoff. If Micah Parsons is limited or out, you can expect the opponent's score to be much higher than usual. The betting lines usually shift right as the inactives are announced, so that’s your best "early warning system" for how the game might go.
Checking the score is more than just numbers; it’s about the narrative of the season. Tomorrow at roughly 3:00 PM EST, we’ll see if the Cowboys can keep their Super Bowl dreams alive or if it’s time to start looking at mock drafts for 2026.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify the Kickoff: Confirm the game time for the Cowboys vs. Lions (Sunday, Jan 18 at 3:00 PM EST) to ensure you aren't checking the score too early.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your sports apps are updated to the latest version to avoid "score lag" during the live broadcast.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Check the final injury report this evening. Pay special attention to the offensive line status, as this heavily correlates with Dallas's scoring output.
- Set Score Alerts: Use the NFL official app to set "Live Activity" alerts on your phone's lock screen so you don't have to keep unlocking your device to see the score.