The question of what's Dallas Cowboys score usually implies a team in the thick of a playoff hunt. Not this time. Honestly, if you're looking for a live score right now on this Saturday, January 17, 2026, you won't find one. The Cowboys are at home. Their season ended nearly two weeks ago in a way that most fans would probably prefer to forget, but we need to talk about it because it sets the stage for a massive 2026 overhaul.
The final score of the Dallas Cowboys' last game was a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants on January 4, 2026.
It was ugly.
MetLife Stadium was cold, and the Cowboys' offense was colder. They finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a record of 7-9-1. That tie against Green Bay back in September feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it? For a franchise that measures success in Super Bowl rings, finishing below .500 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year is basically a five-alarm fire in Frisco.
Breaking Down That Final Score Against the Giants
When people ask "what's Dallas Cowboys score," they are often looking for the "how" and "why" behind the numbers. In that 34-17 season finale, the wheels didn't just fall off; they disintegrated.
Joe Milton III got the start at quarterback for the finale, as Dak Prescott's season had already been hampered by the general malaise of a struggling roster. Milton struggled, finishing just 7-of-13 for 73 yards. That's not a typo. Dallas only managed 10 points in the first quarter—thanks to a Brandon Aubrey field goal and a 14-yard touchdown run by Jaydon Blue—and then went completely silent until the fourth quarter.
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Meanwhile, the Giants, who came into that game with only three wins, looked like world-beaters. Jaxson Dart threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Tyrone Tracy Jr. absolutely shredded the Dallas defense for 159 total yards. By the time Phil Mafah punched in a 1-yard touchdown for Dallas in the final frame, the game was long gone.
The Giants added a late Devin Singletary touchdown just to rub salt in the wound. Final score: 34-17. Season over.
The 2025 Season: A Quick Autopsy
You can't just look at the last score without seeing the pattern. The Cowboys started 2025 with a loss to Philly (24-20) and never really found their footing.
There were bright spots, sure. They beat the Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving in what was easily the highlight of the year. Dak Prescott had games where he looked like his old self, like that 40-37 overtime win against the Giants in Week 2. But the consistency wasn't there.
Key Results from the 2025 Campaign:
- Week 4: That bizarre 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers.
- Week 13: The Thanksgiving thriller win over Kansas City (31-28).
- Week 16: A crushing 34-17 home loss to the Chargers that essentially ended playoff hopes.
- Week 17: A nice 30-23 road win over Washington that gave fans a false sense of hope.
- Week 18: The 34-17 thumping by the Giants.
Total points for: 471. Total points against: 511. When you're giving up 40 more points than you score over 17 games, you aren't a playoff team. Simple as that.
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Why There’s No Score Today (January 17, 2026)
If you're checking the scores today, you'll see the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Buffalo Bills are taking on the Denver Broncos, and the San Francisco 49ers are playing the Seattle Seahawks.
The Cowboys are spectators.
The fact that Seattle is the NFC's top seed (14-3) while Dallas is sitting at home with 7 wins is a bitter pill for Jerry Jones to swallow. Brian Schottenheimer’s first full year as head coach didn't produce the "Texas Coast" revolution fans were promised. Now, the conversation has shifted from "what's Dallas Cowboys score" to "who is the new defensive coordinator?" or "how do we fix the run game?"
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Even though the "score" for next week is non-existent, the schedule for 2026 is already locked in based on the second-place finish in the NFC East. Dallas will play a grueling rotation next year.
Home Games at AT&T Stadium:
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- New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles
- Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers
Away Games:
- New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles
- Houston Texans (The Battle of Texas), Seattle Seahawks (Good luck in the loud house)
- Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts
It’s not an easy road. Seven of those teams are in the playoffs right now.
Actionable Insights for Cowboys Fans
Since there isn't a live game to watch, here is what you should actually be tracking over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Watch for departures. After a 7-9-1 season, nobody's seat is truly cool. If the Cowboys don't make aggressive changes to the defensive scheme that allowed 511 points, 2026 will look just like 2025.
- Salary Cap Management: Dak Prescott's contract remains the elephant in the room. Look for news on restructures or extensions by March to see if they can clear room for a high-end veteran linebacker or interior defensive lineman.
- Draft Positioning: Dallas will likely pick in the top 15. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and Combine for interior offensive line help. The inability to protect the QB in that final 34-17 loss was glaring.
- Free Agency Targets: The Cowboys traditionally "wait and see," but after two losing seasons, fans are demanding a "win now" move. Watch for interest in upcoming free agents from teams like the Ravens or 49ers to beef up the trenches.
The season is over, but the work for the next score has already begun.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official NFL draft order once the Divisional Round concludes this weekend to see exactly where the Cowboys will be picking. You can also review the full 2025 box scores on the Dallas Cowboys official website to see which players outperformed their stats during the 7-9-1 run.