If you’re frantically refreshing your feed looking for the score of cowboys game today, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. There isn't one.
The Dallas Cowboys aren't playing today, January 18, 2026. While the rest of the NFL world is glued to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Jerry Jones and company are likely already halfway through their offseason evaluations. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that expected a deep January run, but the reality is that the Cowboys’ season officially ended exactly two weeks ago on January 4th.
They didn't just miss the playoffs; they limped across the finish line.
The final score that ended the season
To understand why there’s no game today, we have to look back at that Week 18 disaster against the New York Giants. Dallas went into MetLife Stadium with a slim hope of finishing on a high note, but they left with a 34-17 loss.
It was ugly.
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Honestly, the score makes it look closer than it felt. The Cowboys actually held a 10-6 lead early on after a Jaydon Blue touchdown, but the wheels fell off shortly after. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, rookie quarterback Joe Milton was in the game for Dak Prescott, and the Giants were basically running at will. Devin Singletary put the final nail in the coffin with a 6-yard touchdown run that sent Dallas home with a 7-9-1 record.
Why aren't they in the Divisional Round?
The NFL Divisional Round is happening right now, featuring the heavy hitters like the Texans, Patriots, Rams, and Bears. Dallas finished second in the NFC East, but their sub-.500 record wasn't nearly enough to snag a Wild Card spot in a top-heavy NFC.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Won the division at 11-6.
- Dallas Cowboys: Finished 7-9-1.
- Washington Commanders: Ended 5-12.
- New York Giants: Finished last at 4-13.
It’s kind of wild when you think about it. The Cowboys have all this talent—CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Jake Ferguson—yet they’re spectators on one of the biggest football weekends of the year. While you’re looking for the score of cowboys game today, the real "score" is being settled in the front office at The Star in Frisco.
Dak Prescott’s silver lining
If there’s one bit of "winning" to talk about from the end of the season, it’s Dak Prescott’s individual performance. Before being pulled at halftime in the finale, Dak managed to secure enough yards to finish at the top of the league. He officially became the first Dallas Cowboy in franchise history to lead the NFL in passing yards for a single season.
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That’s a huge milestone. Does it make up for a 7-9-1 season? Probably not for most fans. But it does show that the offensive struggles weren't necessarily on the quarterback's arm, but rather a lack of consistency elsewhere.
What’s happening in the NFL today instead?
Since there’s no Cowboys score to report, here is what the actual playoff schedule looks like for Sunday, January 18, 2026. These are the teams that took the spots Dallas wanted:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: A massive AFC showdown at Gillette Stadium that kicked off at 3:00 PM ET.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: The nightcap at Soldier Field, starting at 6:30 PM ET.
It’s a bit surreal seeing the Texans and Bears in these spots while Dallas is dormant. Houston, in particular, has become the "team of the state" lately with C.J. Stroud's meteoric rise, which has to grate on the nerves of Cowboys fans in North Texas.
Looking ahead to 2026
The 2025 season is buried. The focus now shifts to the 2026 opponents, which have already been finalized based on the divisional rotations. If you think this year was tough, next year looks like a gauntlet. Because the Cowboys finished second in their division, they have to play a "second-place schedule," which includes matchups against the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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They’re also slated to face the entire AFC South and NFC West. That means games against the 49ers, Seahawks, and those same Texans who are playing today.
Basically, the "score" for the Cowboys right now is 0-0, and it’ll stay that way until September. The team has massive questions to answer regarding the coaching staff and the defensive line's inability to stop the run, which was their Achilles' heel all through December and that final loss to the Giants.
Next steps for Cowboys fans
Since you won't find a live score today, the best way to stay plugged in is to track the draft order. Dallas will likely be picking in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine coming up in February. This roster needs an injection of youth on the defensive interior and potentially another playmaker at receiver to take the pressure off CeeDee Lamb. The road back to playing on Divisional Sunday starts with who they pick this April.
Actionable insights for the offseason
- Track the Coaching Carousel: Watch for updates on Brian Schottenheimer’s status and potential defensive coordinator shifts.
- Salary Cap Watch: Dallas has some major contract restructuring to do to keep their core together.
- Draft Position: Note that the 7-9-1 finish puts Dallas in a prime spot to snag a top-tier defensive tackle or offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft.