You probably just want the number. Honestly, it’s not the news most fans in North Texas were hoping for to wrap up the year. The Dallas Cowboys lost 34-17 to the New York Giants in their regular-season finale on January 4, 2026.
It was a rough afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Since today is January 17, and the Wild Card round has already pushed past the Cowboys, that 17-point loss stands as the final stamp on a weird, inconsistent season. They finished 7-9-1. That tie against Green Bay back in September really haunts the standings now, doesn’t it?
What's the score to the Dallas Cowboy game and what happened?
If you're asking what's the score to the Dallas Cowboy game, the 34-17 final tells only half the story. The game actually started with some promise. Dallas took a 10-6 lead in the first quarter thanks to a 14-yard touchdown run by Jaydon Blue. For a second there, it felt like they might actually sweep the season series against New York.
Then the wheels came off.
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The Giants rattled off 18 unanswered points. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looked like a seasoned vet, carving up a Cowboys secondary that was missing DaRon Bland due to foot surgery. By the time Phil Mafah punched in a 1-yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 24-17, the momentum had already shifted too far. New York responded with 10 more points to put it on ice.
A tale of two halves for Dak
Dak Prescott didn't even finish the game. He went 7-for-11 for 70 yards before being pulled at halftime. It felt like a "white flag" move by Brian Schottenheimer, especially since the Giants were treating it like a playoff game. Joe Milton III came in for the second half but struggled, throwing a late interception to Bobby Okereke that basically sealed the deal.
- Final Score: Giants 34, Cowboys 17
- Key Stat: Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. rushed for 103 yards.
- Total Yards: Dallas was outgained 380 to 286.
Why the Week 18 score still matters
People keep searching for the score because the implications for the 2026 offseason are massive. Losing to a 4-13 Giants team to end the year is a tough pill to swallow. It broke a nine-game winning streak Dallas had over New York.
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The defense, led by coordinator Matt Eberflus, gave up over 30 points again. That happened way too often this season. When you look at the 511 total points the Cowboys allowed over 17 games, you realize they had the worst scoring defense in the league. It's hard to win when you're giving up 30 points a night.
The Draft Order is Locked
Because of that 17-34 loss, the Cowboys' draft position is set. They aren't in the playoffs. They are watching from the couch while the Eagles represent the NFC East.
- Dallas finished 2nd in the NFC East.
- Their final record is 7-9-1.
- They hold a mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Season
Now that the final score is in the books, the focus shifts to the roster. Jalen Tolbert is a free agent and likely won't be back after falling behind Ryan Flournoy on the depth chart. Hunter Luepke signed a two-year extension, so at least the fullback spot is secure.
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But the real question is the coaching staff. Following a blowout loss to a bottom-tier division rival, the seat under Schottenheimer is getting hot. Fans are already looking at the 2026 schedule, hoping for a bounce-back.
To stay ahead of the next season, start tracking the 2026 NFL Free Agency rankings and the upcoming Draft big boards. The Cowboys need defensive help, specifically at linebacker and in the secondary, if they want to avoid another 34-point defensive collapse in the future. Check the official NFL transaction logs over the next few weeks to see how the front office reacts to this season-ending slump.