The Dallas Cowboys didn't play a game today. Honestly, if you were refreshing your phone looking for a score, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Cowboys’ season actually wrapped up two weeks ago.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the NFL divisional playoffs are in full swing—with teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans battling it out—America's Team is currently watching from home. It's a tough pill for the fans in Frisco to swallow, especially given how the regular season ended.
The Reality of the Cowboys 2025-2026 Season
If you're wondering who won the Dallas Cowboys game today, the short answer is: nobody. The Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention before their Week 18 finale. They finished the year with a record of 7-9-1, a frustrating result for a team that had high hopes under head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Their final game of the season took place on January 4, 2026, against the New York Giants. It wasn't pretty. The Cowboys lost that one 34-17 at MetLife Stadium. It was a game defined by mistakes, including a mishandled snap by Dak Prescott and an interception by Joe Milton III, who took over in the second half.
✨ Don't miss: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
Basically, the defense couldn't stop rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, and the Giants' ground game, led by Tyrone Tracy, absolutely gashed them.
What Happened to the Cowboys?
A lot went wrong. Injuries played a role, sure, but the lack of consistency was the real killer.
- Defensive Struggles: The Cowboys' defense, once a powerhouse, became a liability. They allowed career days to quarterbacks like J.J. McCarthy and Jaxson Dart.
- The Quarterback Carousel: Dak Prescott played all 17 games, which was great for his health, but the offense never quite found a rhythm. He actually led the league in passing yards for much of the season, but those yards didn't always translate to wins.
- Offseason Changes: We’re already seeing the fallout. This marks the second straight year Dallas has missed the postseason. In a city where Super Bowl expectations are the baseline, a losing record feels like a total collapse.
Who is Playing Today?
Since the Cowboys aren't on the field, you might be seeing scores for other teams and getting confused. Today's NFL schedule features two massive divisional matchups:
🔗 Read more: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
Yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks made a huge statement by demolishing the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. Kenneth Walker III was a beast, scoring three touchdowns. It’s the kind of dominant performance Cowboys fans were hoping to see from their own backfield this year.
The Silver Lining for Dallas
Is there any good news? Kinda.
Despite the 7-9-1 finish, Dak Prescott did manage to make some history, flirting with franchise records for passing yards. We also saw some flashes of brilliance from rookie running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. Both scored their first career touchdowns in that final January 4th game against the Giants.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
What’s Next for the Cowboys?
The 2026 offseason is officially here for Dallas. The front office has a massive to-do list.
First, they have to figure out the defensive identity. Brian Schottenheimer has stayed adamant about the team's potential, but results speak louder than press conferences. Expect a lot of talk about the draft and potential free-agent signings to shore up a defense that was, frankly, undisciplined at times.
If you are looking for live action in Dallas today, you might be thinking of the Dallas Stars. They are scheduled to face the Tampa Bay Lightning today, January 18, at the American Airlines Center. Different sport, same city.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the NFL Draft order to see where the Cowboys will be picking this spring.
- If you're a multi-sport fan, tune in to the Dallas Stars game tonight for some local sports action.
- Keep an eye on the NFC Championship matchups, as today's winners will determine who faces the Seahawks next week.
The Cowboys will be back, but for now, the "win" today belongs to the teams still alive in the hunt for Super Bowl LX.