So, you’re looking for the Cowboys game tonight, January 15, 2026. You’re hitting the remote, scrolling through the sports apps, and maybe feeling a bit confused. Honestly, there's a simple, albeit painful, reason for the silence coming out of Arlington right now.
There was no Cowboys score tonight because the Dallas Cowboys are not playing. The 2025-2026 season for "America’s Team" officially hit a brick wall nearly two weeks ago. While other teams are gearing up for the Divisional Round this weekend—with the Bills and Broncos set to kick things off on Saturday—the Cowboys are already deep into an offseason filled with more questions than answers.
The Final Score That Ended It All
If you're wondering when they last touched the field, it was Sunday, January 4, 2026. It wasn't exactly a glorious exit. Facing a New York Giants team that had only managed three wins all year, Dallas stumbled to a 34-17 loss at MetLife Stadium.
It was a weird game. Dak Prescott started, trying to clinch the league lead in passing yards, but he was pulled at halftime after a pretty lackluster 70-yard performance. Joe Milton took over for the second half, but the momentum just wasn't there.
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What Most People Missed About That Last Game
- A New Record: KaVontae Turpin actually set a franchise record during that finale for the most kickoff return yards in a single season.
- Rookie Spark: We saw the NFL debut of Phil Mafah, who managed to snag his first career touchdown.
- The Defense: Jadeveon Clowney had a monster game with three sacks, but the unit as a whole couldn't stop the Giants from putting up 34 points.
Basically, it was a microcosm of their entire season: flashes of individual brilliance overshadowed by a lack of team cohesion.
Why There’s No Game Tonight (Jan 15)
Tonight is a Thursday. In the regular season, that usually means Thursday Night Football. However, we are now in the heat of the NFL Playoffs. The league actually doesn't schedule games on the Thursday of the Divisional Round.
The playoffs are a different beast. The schedule is tight, and the "short week" format of Thursday night doesn't work when you're down to the final eight teams. The next time you'll see live NFL action will be Saturday, January 17, when the Buffalo Bills travel to Denver.
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The 2025 Season: A Tough Pill to Swallow
Dallas finished the year with a 7-9-1 record. Think about that for a second. That tie against the Packers back in September really ended up looming large. If you’re a fan, you’ve probably spent the last week arguing about whose fault this is. Is it the coaching? Is it the inconsistent run game?
There was a lot of talk about Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive schemes and whether they really maximized CeeDee Lamb’s talent. Lamb had some massive games—like that 121-yard performance against the Lions—but the consistency just vanished in December when it mattered most.
The December Slide
The Cowboys actually entered December with a decent shot at a Wild Card spot. Then, the wheels came off. They dropped four of their last five games, including a heartbreaking 34-26 loss to the Vikings that effectively shattered their playoff hopes. By the time they played the Giants in Week 18, they were already mathematically eliminated.
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What Happens Now?
The search for the Cowboys score tonight might be empty, but the front office is busier than ever. Jerry Jones has been uncharacteristically quiet since the loss in New York, which usually means big changes are brewing in the "Big Star."
The 2026 NFL Draft order is starting to solidify, and Dallas is looking at a pick in the middle of the first round. The priority? It’s gotta be the trenches or a solidified secondary. Watching the defense give up 34 points to a 4-13 Giants team was the final straw for many fans.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The NFL schedule for the next season won't be officially released until May. We know the opponents, but the dates are still a mystery. For now, the Cowboys are "on the clock" in a different way.
Your Offseason Checklist:
- Keep an eye on the coaching staff: Rumors are swirling about potential changes to the defensive staff following the late-season collapse.
- Monitor the Draft: Dallas needs depth at linebacker and potentially another weapon to take the pressure off CeeDee Lamb.
- Salary Cap Games: As always, the front office will be doing gymnastics to keep the core together while finding room for fresh talent.
The score tonight is 0-0, because the season is over. But for the Dallas Cowboys, the real work is just beginning.