If you were looking for a high-stakes playoff thriller or even a late-season victory lap, you probably noticed something felt off. That’s because, technically, nobody won the Cowboys game tonight because the game didn't happen.
The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up their 2025-2026 NFL campaign nearly two weeks ago. Honestly, if you missed the news, it’s probably for the best. Their season ended with a thud rather than a bang. On January 4, 2026, the Cowboys walked into MetLife Stadium and got handled by a three-win New York Giants team. The final score was 34-17.
Since Dallas didn't make the postseason cut, the lights at AT&T Stadium are dark tonight, January 15. While the rest of the NFL is gearing up for the Divisional Round this coming weekend, the Cowboys are already knee-deep in "wait until next year" territory.
The Reality of Who Won the Cowboys Game Tonight
When people ask who won the Cowboys game tonight, they are usually looking for a score from a playoff matchup. Unfortunately, the Cowboys finished the regular season with a 7-9-1 record. That weird tie in the middle of their record basically sums up how inconsistent the year was. They ended up second in the NFC East, which sounds okay until you realize they were five games behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
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The NFL playoffs are currently in full swing, but Dallas is watching from the couch. Wild Card weekend just wrapped up on January 12. The teams moving on to the Divisional Round starting Saturday include the Broncos, Bills, 49ers, and Seahawks.
Why the Season Ended Early
The finale against the Giants was a microcosm of everything that went sideways this year. Dak Prescott only played the first half, finishing with a meager 70 yards and a lost fumble. It felt more like a preseason game than a division rivalry.
Once Joe Milton took over in the third quarter, the offense just stalled out. Meanwhile, the defense—which had been "undisciplined" all year, according to local beat writers—gave up over 160 rushing yards to a Giants team that hadn't found its rhythm all season. Jaxson Dart, the Giants' rookie QB, looked like a veteran against the Dallas secondary.
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Looking Toward the 2026 Season
Since there’s no game tonight, the conversation has shifted entirely to the front office. There is a ton of speculation about coaching changes. Fans are restless. When you finish under .500 and lose to a bottom-dweller in the final week, heads usually roll.
The 2026 opponents list is already out. Dallas is slated to face the AFC South and the NFC West next year. That means games against the Texans, Colts, and Seahawks are on the horizon. It’s not an easy path back to the top.
What Should You Watch Instead?
Since the Cowboys aren't playing, you might be looking for your football fix. The Divisional Round kicks off this Saturday, January 17.
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (Saturday afternoon)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Saturday night)
If you follow the Oklahoma State Cowboys or the Wyoming Cowboys (the college side of things), there's some action there. The Wyoming Cowboys are scheduled to play Fresno State this Saturday, January 17, at 5:00 p.m.
Key Takeaways for Dallas Fans
It’s a quiet Thursday night in Arlington. The team is currently evaluating the roster and looking toward the NFL Draft. Most experts expect the Cowboys to focus heavily on the defensive interior and perhaps look for more consistent depth behind Dak Prescott, given how the offense cratered in the final weeks of the season.
Basically, the "win" tonight is the fact that you didn't have to watch another fourth-quarter collapse.
To stay ahead of the curve for next season, keep an eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in late February. That’s where the real work for the 2026-2027 Cowboys season begins. If you’re looking for live sports right now, check the NBA or NHL schedules, as the NFL is currently in its mid-week playoff lull before the Divisional Round starts.