If you’re checking your phone and wondering who did Dallas Cowboys play today, the answer might be a little tougher to swallow than a lukewarm stadium hot dog. Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. If you look at the NFL playoff bracket, you’ll notice a distinct lack of a star logo.
The Dallas Cowboys didn't play anyone today. In fact, their 2025-2026 season officially hit the brick wall on January 4, 2026, during a miserable afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
Honestly, it’s been a weird year for America's Team. Usually, by mid-January, we’re either debating a heartbreaking Wild Card exit or hyping up a Divisional Round matchup. Not this time. The Cowboys finished the regular season with a 7-9-1 record, missing the playoffs entirely while rivals like the Eagles and Giants (briefly) moved on.
The Finale: Who Did Dallas Cowboys Play Today (Or Most Recently)?
The last time the Cowboys suited up was for their Week 18 finale against the New York Giants. It was a game most fans would prefer to scrub from their memory banks.
Coming into that January 4 matchup, there was a tiny sliver of pride on the line. Dallas had won nine straight against the G-Men. Dak Prescott had a personal 14-game winning streak against New York. But streaks are made to be broken, and the Giants broke this one over their knee like a piece of dry kindling.
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The final score was a lopsided 34-17 in favor of New York.
It wasn't just the score that hurt; it was how it happened. Brian Schottenheimer, who took over the headset this season, saw his team jump out to a 10-6 lead in the first quarter thanks to a Jaydon Blue touchdown run. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off—they disintegrated.
The Giants, led by rookie Jaxson Dart, basically did whatever they wanted. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Cowboys were playing Joe Milton at quarterback just to see what they had for next year. Dak Prescott had been pulled at halftime after a sluggish performance and a lost fumble. It felt less like a season finale and more like a surrender.
Why the Cowboys Aren't Playing in the Playoffs
You might be asking why a team with CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons is sitting on the couch while the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers are preping for the Divisional Round.
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The 2025 season was a masterclass in "almost."
- The Tie: Remember that 40-40 overtime draw against the Packers in Week 4? That single half-win/half-loss ended up being a massive anchor.
- The Defense: Matt Eberflus’s unit struggled to get off the field. In that final Giants game, they let a 3-win New York team drop 34 points.
- The Injury Bug: While every team deals with it, the offensive line felt like a revolving door of practice squad call-ups by December.
Because they finished second-to-last in the NFC East, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention well before the Wild Card round even started this past weekend. While the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos enjoy their first-round byes, the Cowboys are already scouting the 2026 NFL Draft.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Since you won't find a Cowboys game on the schedule today, the focus has shifted entirely to the offseason. The front office is already looking at a 2026 opponent list that looks absolutely brutal.
Because of the NFL's rotational scheduling, the Cowboys are slated to face the AFC South and the NFC West next season. This means games against the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and the 49ers. Since Dallas finished in second place in their division (technically third if you look at the tie-breakers with Washington), they’ll also draw the second-place finishers from other conferences.
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Critical Dates for Cowboys Fans
Even though there's no game today, the "real" season starts soon for the front office:
- Late February: The NFL Scouting Combine. This is where the hunt for a dominant interior defensive lineman begins.
- March: Free Agency. Will Jerry Jones actually "go all in" this time, or are we looking at more one-year "prove it" deals for aging vets?
- April: The 2026 NFL Draft. With a sub-.500 record, Dallas will have their highest pick in several years.
The Actionable Reality
If you were hoping to watch some football today, you're a few days early for the Divisional Round. The next live NFL action starts Saturday, January 17, when the Buffalo Bills head to Denver and the 49ers take on the Seahawks.
For the Cowboys, the "game" is now played in the film room and the draft board. The 2025 season ended with a thud in the Meadowlands, and until the preseason kicks off in August, the star will remain dark. If you're looking to scratch that itch, now is the time to start diving into mock drafts or checking the status of Dak Prescott’s contract situation, which is sure to be the talking point of the spring.
The best thing to do is keep an eye on the Senior Bowl rosters coming out later this month. That’s where the Cowboys' next starting linebacker or tackle is likely currently practicing.