If you’re staring at your screen asking who won Dallas Cowboys last night or trying to figure out why your social feed is a graveyard of star-shaped memes, you aren't alone. NFL schedules are weird, and the Cowboys’ 2025 season just wrapped up in a way that left most of us scratching our heads.
Basically, the New York Giants won. They took down Dallas 34-17 on January 4, 2026, at MetLife Stadium.
It was a cold, somewhat depressing afternoon in East Rutherford. For a team that usually sucks up all the oxygen in the room, the Cowboys went out with a whimper rather than a bang. If you missed the game, honestly, you might’ve done yourself a favor. It wasn’t exactly a "classic."
The Breakdown: How the Giants Stunned Dallas
Most fans expected a bit more fight, even if the playoffs were already out of reach. But Brian Schottenheimer, in his first year as head coach, seemed to treat the finale like an early spring training game.
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Dak Prescott started, but he didn't finish. He played the first half, completing 7 of 11 passes for a measly 70 yards. He also botched a snap that turned into a fumble, which pretty much set the tone for the day. Once the second half started, Joe Milton III took over under center. It didn't help.
The Giants, led by rookie Jaxson Dart, actually looked like they wanted to be there. Dart threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't turn the ball over once. Compare that to Milton, who threw a back-breaking interception to Bobby Okereke late in the fourth quarter.
Here is how the scoring actually went down:
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- First Quarter: It started okay. Brandon Aubrey kicked a 22-yard field goal, and Jaydon Blue—one of the few bright spots—ripped off a 14-yard touchdown run. Dallas actually led 10-6.
- Second Quarter: The wheels fell off. Daniel Bellinger caught a 29-yard TD pass from Dart. 16-10 Giants.
- Third Quarter: New York extended the lead with a Tyrone Tracy Jr. touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
- Fourth Quarter: Rookie Phil Mafah scored his first NFL touchdown to bring Dallas within a score (24-17), but the Giants slammed the door with a field goal and a Devin Singletary touchdown.
Why the Record Looks So Weird
The Cowboys finished the year at 7-9-1. Yes, a tie. Remember that weird 40-40 overtime thriller against Green Bay back in September? That single point is the only reason they aren't sitting at a flat 7-10.
Missing the playoffs for two straight years is a bitter pill for a fan base that expects a Super Bowl every August. This year was especially brutal because they showed flashes. They beat the Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving in front of 57 million people. They looked like contenders then. But the defense, under Matt Eberflus, just couldn't stop a nosebleed in December.
Eberflus was fired shortly after the Giants game. Most people saw that coming from a mile away. You can't give up 30-plus points in four of your last five games and expect to keep your keys to the building.
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What Most People Get Wrong About This Game
You'll hear people say Dallas "tanked" for a better draft pick. I don't buy it. You don't play Dak Prescott in a meaningless game if you're trying to lose on purpose; you sit him to keep him healthy. The reality is more boring: they were just outplayed by a team with more energy.
The Giants were 3-13 heading into that game. They were terrible. But their owner, John Mara, has been going through cancer treatment, and the team was desperate to give him a win. They played like their lives depended on it. Dallas played like they had flights to Cabo booked for 6:00 PM.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking ahead, there are a few things you need to track right now. The "who won Dallas Cowboys" question is settled, but the "who wins next" depends on these moves:
- Watch the Defensive Coordinator Hire: This is the most important move of the spring. The talent is there—Micah Parsons is still a wrecking ball—but the scheme was broken in 2025.
- The Run Game Shift: Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah both looked better than the veterans in the finale. Expect a youth movement in the backfield.
- Draft Position: Because of the loss to the Giants, Dallas secured the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They desperately need offensive line help or a lockdown corner.
- Dak’s Contract: 2026 is a massive year for Prescott. He led the league in passing yards for most of the season but fell short at the end. Watch for extension talks or a "prove-it" structure.
The season is over. The Giants won the battle, but the Cowboys are now in a full-blown war with their own roster and coaching staff to figure out why they keep underachieving when it matters most.