If you’re checking your phone hoping for a miracle, I’ve got some tough news. The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season with a thud. For those wondering what was the score of the Dallas Cowboys game, the final was New York Giants 34, Dallas Cowboys 17.
Yeah. It wasn't pretty.
Played on January 4, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, this Week 18 matchup was supposed to be a chance for Dallas to find some late-season rhythm. Instead, it felt more like a summary of every frustration fans have felt over the last four months. The Giants, who had a pretty miserable year themselves, basically used the Cowboys as a punching bag to close out their schedule.
The Breakdown: How 17-34 Actually Happened
Honestly, the game started with a bit of hope. Dallas actually held a lead early on. After a 22-yard field goal from the reliable Brandon Aubrey, Jaydon Blue punched in a 14-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. At that point, the Cowboys were up 10-6. You might’ve even thought they were going to cruise.
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Then the wheels came off.
Jaxson Dart, the Giants' young signal-caller, started carving up the secondary. He found Daniel Bellinger for a 29-yard score just before halftime to take the lead. From there, it was all New York. The Giants put up 10 points in the third and another 10 in the fourth. Dallas didn't find the end zone again until a garbage-time 1-yard plunge by Phil Mafah when the game was already well out of reach.
- Final Score: Giants 34, Cowboys 17
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
- Cowboys Final Record: 7-9-1
- Key Stat: Jaxson Dart threw for 230 yards and 2 TDs, while the Cowboys' offense went stagnant for nearly two full quarters.
What This Score Says About the 2025-2026 Season
If you look at the final score in a vacuum, it’s just one bad loss. But for anyone following this team, it was the final nail in a coffin of inconsistency. Dallas finished the year at 7-9-1.
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That tie? That was a wild 40-40 deadlock against Green Bay back in September. It was a season of "almosts." They beat the Eagles 24-21 in late November—a high point that felt like a turning point—and then immediately followed it up with a win over the Chiefs. We all thought they were back.
But the defense, which was missing DaRon Bland for the final stretch due to foot surgery, just couldn't hold up. By the time they hit MetLife for the finale, the spirit seemed gone. Seeing the Giants—a team that finished 4-13—drop 34 points on them was a reality check that nobody in North Texas wanted.
The Dak Prescott Paradox
Dak had some moments this year. He actually passed his own 2019 mark to move into 3rd on the Cowboys' single-season passing yards list, finishing with over 4,500 yards. But stats don't win trophies. In the Giants game, the passing attack felt disjointed. George Pickens, who had been a spark plug earlier in the year, couldn't find much room, and the offensive line looked tired.
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Key Moments That Defined the Final Score
It wasn't just the offense. The Giants' Tyrone Tracy Jr. absolutely shredded the Cowboys' front seven, racking up 159 total yards. Every time Dallas needed a stop on third down, Dart seemed to find a way to move the chains.
- The Turning Point: The 29-yard TD pass to Bellinger with 20 seconds left in the second quarter. It shifted the momentum entirely.
- The Two-Point Conversion: In the third quarter, the Giants went for two after a Tyrone Tracy TD. Devin Singletary threw a pass to Darius Slayton. It worked. That put New York up 24-10 and essentially broke the Cowboys' back.
- The Aubrey Misses: While he's been a hero all year, the lack of opportunities for Brandon Aubrey in the second half meant Dallas couldn't even chip away at the lead.
Where the Cowboys Go From Here
The season is over. No playoffs. No "this is our year" January runs.
The focus now shifts to a very loud offseason. Mike McCarthy's future is the primary talking point in every sports bar from Arlington to Frisco. Reports are already circulating that other teams, like the Steelers, are looking at the Cowboys' staff. Meanwhile, the roster has some massive holes to plug. Jalen Tolbert is a free agent and likely won't be back after falling down the depth chart.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Draft Order: With a 7-9-1 record, Dallas is sitting in the middle of the pack for the 2026 NFL Draft. Keep an eye on the defensive tackle and secondary prospects.
- Monitor Injury Reports: DaRon Bland’s recovery from foot surgery is the biggest storyline for the defense. He’s expected back for OTAs, but foot issues for corners are always tricky.
- Contract Watch: George Pickens and the wide receiver room will need some stability. See if the front office makes a move early in free agency to give Dak more consistent help.
The 34-17 loss to the Giants wasn't just a bad Sunday; it was a map of everything the Cowboys need to fix before September rolls around again.