If you’re waking up this morning, coffee in hand, wondering who won Dallas football game last night, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a letdown if you’re a die-hard member of the "Star" faithful.
The short answer? Nobody did.
Actually, the Dallas Cowboys didn't even play last night. While the NFL postseason is in full swing and the Divisional Round just wrapped up some massive Saturday matchups, the Cowboys weren't on the field. They were likely watching from home, just like us.
Why didn't Dallas play?
The reality is a bit rough for Cowboys fans. Dallas finished their 2025-2026 regular season two weeks ago with a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants on January 4th. That loss put the final nail in the coffin of a season that was, frankly, a massive roller coaster. They ended the year with a 7-9-1 record, which wasn't nearly enough to sneak into the playoffs in a surprisingly competitive NFC East.
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While the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos were busy punching their tickets to the Conference Championships last night—San Francisco absolutely demolished Seattle 41-6, by the way—Dallas is already looking at mock drafts and coaching adjustments.
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Honestly, it's kinda wild how things fell apart. Early on, there was this sense that Brian Schottenheimer’s offense might actually find its rhythm. We saw flashes of it. Dak Prescott played the full season, which was a huge relief after his previous hamstring issues, but the consistency just wasn't there.
The defense had its moments too. Jadeveon Clowney was out there looking like his prime self, even recording three sacks in that final game against the Giants. But the team was its own worst enemy. Penalties were the story of the year. In that last game alone, they gave up 94 yards on nine penalties. You just can’t win at the professional level when you’re handing out free first downs like party favors.
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What actually happened last night (Jan 17, 2026)?
Since Dallas wasn't on the schedule, the "Dallas football game" people are talking about might be the ghost of seasons past or perhaps confusion with the high-stakes games that did happen.
- Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills: This was the game of the night. Denver won 33-30 in overtime.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The 49ers dominated, winning 41-6.
If you’re a Dallas fan, seeing the 49ers move forward probably stings. It feels like every year we're waiting for that deep playoff run, and instead, we're stuck checking the "who won" stats for other teams while our guys are in Frisco cleaning out their lockers.
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A lot of people want to point the finger at Dak, but he actually put up decent numbers before being pulled at halftime in the season finale to give Joe Milton some reps. The real issue was a lack of a ground game and a defense that couldn't get off the field on third down.
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- The Run Game: It was basically non-existent for long stretches.
- Discipline: 133 accepted penalties on the season. That’s staggering.
- Red Zone Efficiency: They settled for field goals far too often.
Essentially, the Cowboys didn't lose last night because their season ended fourteen days ago.
Where does Dallas go from here?
The 2026 offseason is officially here for the Cowboys. They’ve already got their opponents lined up for next year. They’ll be facing the NFC West and the AFC South, which means games against the Texans, Colts, and Seahawks are on the horizon.
If you're looking for Dallas football action, you're going to have to wait until the preseason in August. For now, the focus is on the NFL Draft and whether the front office makes any big moves to fix a defense that gave up way too many career-high performances to opposing quarterbacks this year.
Your next steps for staying updated:
- Check the 2026 NFL Draft Order: Dallas is sitting in the middle of the pack, so keep an eye on prospect rankings for defensive tackles and offensive line depth.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: There’s always talk about changes after a losing season in Big D; stay tuned to local Dallas sports radio for the latest rumors.
- Watch the Conference Championships: Even though the Cowboys are out, the 49ers vs. Lions (or whoever clinches today) will determine who represents the NFC in the Super Bowl.