If you’re checking the scores to see who won the cowboy game today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, I have some pretty grim news for you.
The Dallas Cowboys didn't play today. In fact, they aren't even in the building.
While the NFL world is currently buzzing with Divisional Round playoff action—featuring high-stakes matchups like the Houston Texans visiting the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears—the Cowboys are officially on vacation. Or, more accurately, they are in "evaluation mode" after a season that honestly fell off the rails.
Why the Cowboys Aren't Playing Today
It’s a tough pill to swallow for the fans in Arlington. Usually, this time of year is when "America's Team" is supposed to be making a deep run, or at the very least, providing us with some heart-stopping playoff drama.
Instead, the Cowboys' 2025-2026 campaign came to a screeching halt back on January 4th.
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They finished their season with a thud, losing 34-17 to the New York Giants. That loss was the final nail in the coffin of a year that ended with a lackluster 7-9-1 record. Because of that sub-.500 finish, Dallas missed the postseason entirely. They watched from the sidelines as their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, took the division crown, only for Philly to get bounced themselves in the Wild Card round by the San Francisco 49ers.
What Actually Happened to Dallas?
Basically, the wheels came off in December. The Cowboys suffered a string of losses that turned a promising start into a desperate scramble for a playoff spot that never materialized.
Specifically:
- They got lit up by the Detroit Lions in a 44-30 shootout.
- They dropped a close one to the Minnesota Vikings.
- The New York Giants—a team with only three wins at the time—absolutely dominated them in the season finale.
In that final game against the Giants, we saw something rare: Dak Prescott was pulled at halftime. While he was chasing a franchise record for single-season passing yards, the coaching staff decided to get a look at the future, giving Joe Milton significant snaps in the second half. It didn't help. The defense, led by a standout performance from Jadeveon Clowney (who notched three sacks), simply couldn't stop the Giants' rookie quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
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The Playoff Picture Without Dallas
While Cowboys fans are debating draft picks, the rest of the league is playing for a Super Bowl ring.
Yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 blowout. Kenneth Walker III looked like a man possessed, scoring three touchdowns and tying a franchise playoff record. Over in the AFC, the Denver Broncos outlasted the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller.
Today's slate is just as heavy. The Texans and Patriots are fighting for a spot in the AFC Championship, while Caleb Williams and the Bears are trying to keep their magical "cardiac kids" season alive against Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
It’s weird seeing the divisional round happen without the star on the helmet involved, but that's the reality of the NFL parity we're seeing in 2026.
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Looking Ahead: What's Next for the Cowboys?
The conversation in Dallas has already shifted from "who won the game" to "who is staying on the roster."
With the season over, the front office is staring at some massive questions. Brian Schottenheimer’s future as head coach is a constant topic on local sports talk radio. There is also the quarterback situation. Dak Prescott put up big numbers again—passing for over 4,500 yards—but the lack of postseason success is reaching a breaking point for the fan base.
Then there’s the draft. Picking in the top half of the first round gives Dallas a chance to address a defense that, despite Clowney's late-season heroics, was consistently ranked in the bottom third of the league for points allowed.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans
Since there's no game to watch today, here is how you can stay plugged into the team's progress during the early offseason:
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Keep a close eye on official team announcements regarding the coaching staff. The next few weeks are critical for any potential leadership changes.
- Draft Positioning: Start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft big boards. Dallas desperately needs help in the secondary and on the interior defensive line.
- Salary Cap Management: Watch for news on veteran restructures. The Cowboys are notoriously tight against the cap, and how they handle contracts for stars like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons will dictate their free-agency moves in March.
The 2025 season is in the books. It wasn't the ending anyone in North Texas wanted, but the road to the 2026 kickoff begins now.