If you woke up looking for the score of the Cowboys game last night, you probably noticed something pretty quiet on the airwaves. That’s because the Dallas Cowboys didn't actually play last night. While the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing with the Divisional Round matchups getting set, America’s Team is already back in Frisco, starting an offseason that feels a lot more like a total renovation than a simple tune-up.
It's a weird spot to be in. Honestly, seeing the Cowboys out of the mix while teams like the Bears and Rams are still duking it out feels like a gut punch to most of North Texas. They finished their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4th, and it wasn't exactly a cinematic ending.
The last time they took the field
The final score of the Cowboys game last night they actually played was a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. That game happened back on Jan. 4, 2026. It was a rough one to watch. The Giants only had three wins going into that Week 18 matchup, but they basically dismantled Dallas at MetLife Stadium. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looked like a seasoned vet, and the Cowboys' defense just couldn't find an answer for Tyrone Tracy Jr., who put up over 150 yards from scrimmage.
Dak Prescott played the first half and actually padded his stats enough to keep him high on the season leaderboards—finishing with 4,525 passing yards on the year—but he was pulled for Joe Milton in the second half. It felt like the team had already accepted their fate. They finished the season at 7-9-1. That’s not exactly the kind of record that gets you a January invite to the dance.
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Why everyone is talking about the score of the Cowboys game last night anyway
Even though they aren't playing, the Cowboys are dominating the conversation because of how the Wild Card round shook out. Since Dallas didn't play "last night" (or any night this week), fans have been scoreboard-watching the rest of the NFC.
Here is the silver lining: the Packers lost. For a Cowboys fan, that’s usually enough to make a Monday better, but this time it actually helps the team’s future. Because of the Micah Parsons trade details, the Packers' loss to the Bears actually solidified the draft capital for Dallas.
- Draft Pick No. 12: Their own natural selection.
- Draft Pick No. 20: The pick they got from Green Bay.
Having two picks in the top 20 is basically the only reason anyone in Dallas is smiling right now. It's the "win" they needed without even stepping onto the turf.
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Looking at the 2025 season stats
When you look at the 7-9-1 finish, it’s easy to point fingers. The defense was hit or miss all year. Jadeveon Clowney actually had a monster final game with three sacks, but the unit as a whole was undisciplined. They were one of the most penalized teams in the league, and it showed in those close losses to Minnesota and Detroit late in the year.
Dak Prescott's future is the big elephant in the room. He had the yards, sure. But the wins weren't there when they mattered. Then you have the coaching situation. With Matt Eberflus out, the search for a new defensive coordinator—and potentially more changes—is what’s actually happening behind the scenes while the rest of the league plays for a ring.
The playoffs without Dallas
While you were searching for the score of the Cowboys game last night, the rest of the NFC was busy. The Rams took down the Panthers in a 34-31 thriller, and the Bears ended the Packers' season. This means the Divisional Round is set for this coming weekend:
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- Buffalo at Denver (Saturday)
- San Francisco at Seattle (Saturday)
- Houston at New England (Sunday)
- LA Rams at Chicago (Sunday)
It’s a bit surreal to see a Divisional Round without a single NFC East team involved. The Eagles collapsed late, the Giants were never really in it despite beating Dallas, and the Commanders are... well, they're the Commanders.
What happens next for the Cowboys?
Since there is no game tonight or tomorrow, the focus shifts entirely to the NFL Draft in April. The scouting department is looking at guys like Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles. If they can land a playmaker at 12 and a lockdown corner or edge rusher at 20, the 2026 season might actually look a bit different.
The reality is that "last night" was a quiet one for Cowboys fans. No jerseys were donned, no chips were dipped, and no heart rates were spiked by a last-second field goal attempt. But in the NFL, the offseason is where the real work happens.
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the defensive coordinator interviews. The team has already requested to talk to guys like Jonathan Gannon and Zach Orr. That’s the real "score" you should be tracking right now.
Check the NFL Divisional Round schedule if you want to see who’s still alive in the hunt for Super Bowl LX. Otherwise, start familiarizing yourself with the top 20 prospects in the 2026 draft class, because that’s where the Cowboys' season truly begins again.