So, you’re looking for the score. Honestly, if you were hoping for a live playoff update today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, I’ve got some bad news. There is no game. The Dallas Cowboys didn't make the cut. While the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills are currently battling it out in the divisional round, the Cowboys are already back in Frisco, probably staring at a mountain of salary cap spreadsheets.
The final what's the score of the Dallas Cowboys for the 2025-26 season was a disappointing 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. That game wrapped up on January 4, 2026. It wasn't pretty. It was the kind of game that basically summed up their whole year: high expectations, a few flashes of brilliance, and then a complete collapse when it mattered most.
The season finale: Giants 34, Cowboys 17
MetLife Stadium was cold, and the vibe was even colder for Dallas fans. Dak Prescott started the game, trying to clinch a passing yards record, but he was pulled at halftime after throwing for only 70 yards. It felt like the coaching staff just wanted to see what they had in rookie Joe Milton III. Milton didn't do much better, throwing an interception to Bobby Okereke that essentially sealed the deal.
The Giants, who only had three wins going into that game, looked like world-beaters. Jaxson Dart, their rookie QB, carved up the Dallas secondary for 230 yards. It was a 34-17 drubbing that left the Cowboys with a final record of 7-9-1.
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Missing the playoffs. Again.
Breaking down the 2025-26 season record
If you look at the full schedule, it was a rollercoaster that mostly went downhill. They started okay but ended the year losing four of their last five games.
- Final Record: 7-9-1
- Division Standing: 2nd in the NFC East (behind the Eagles)
- Conference Standing: 12th in the NFC
There were some bright spots, though. George Pickens, who the Cowboys snagged to bolster the receiving corps, had a monster year. He finished with over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns. Javonte Williams also cleared the 1,000-yard mark on the ground. But even with those stats, the defense allowed nearly 30 points per game. That’s why Matt Eberflus, the defensive coordinator, got the boot shortly after the season ended.
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Why isn't there a Cowboys game today?
Usually, Dallas is a staple in the January conversation. Not this year. The NFL playoffs are moving on without them. Today’s schedule features:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (8:00 PM ET)
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that Jerry Jones insists is "all-in" every single year. Instead of preparing for a Divisional Round matchup, the front office is trying to figure out how to shave $31 million off the salary cap.
What’s next for America’s Team?
The focus has already shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. Jerry Jones told reporters after the Giants loss that he’s looking to make "dramatic" changes. We've heard that before. But with 22 pending free agents—including key names like Javonte Williams and George Pickens—they literally can't afford to keep everyone.
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There’s also the Joe Milton factor. Is he the future, or just a backup? Dak Prescott still has the numbers, but the lack of postseason success is the giant elephant in the room.
Actionable insights for fans
- Keep an eye on the cap: Watch for restructures of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's contracts. That's the only way they’ll have money to bring back Pickens.
- Draft watch: The Cowboys will likely have a mid-round pick. Expect them to target a defensive tackle or a linebacker to fix that porous run defense.
- Coaching search: With Eberflus out, the new defensive coordinator hire will tell us everything about the scheme they plan to run in 2026.
The 2025 season is in the books. The score was 17-34 in the finale, and the record was 7-9-1. Now, it's just a long wait until training camp in Oxnard.