So, you’re looking for the Cowboys score. You probably woke up, grabbed your coffee, and checked the divisional round schedule only to realize something feels off. If you’re asking who won today's Cowboys game on this Saturday, January 17, 2026, the answer is a tough pill for most of North Texas to swallow.
Nobody won. Because the Dallas Cowboys didn't play.
In fact, the Cowboys haven't played a snap of meaningful football in nearly two weeks. While the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are duking it out in the AFC Divisional round right now—and the Seahawks and 49ers prepare for a primetime NFC clash—the Cowboys are currently watching from their couches. Or, more accurately, from the golf course.
The Reality of the January 17 Schedule
The NFL playoffs are in full swing today, but for the second consecutive year, Dallas is an observer rather than a participant. The team officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign back on January 4th.
It was a quiet exit. A 34-17 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium served as the final nail in the coffin. That loss left the Cowboys with a final record of 7-9-1. Honestly, it was a season defined by "what ifs" and "almosts."
You might remember the optimism heading into December. There was a legitimate path to the NFC East crown if the Eagles slipped up. Instead, Dallas dropped critical games to the Vikings and Chargers, effectively getting eliminated before they even suited up for their Week 16 matchup against Washington. By the time today's playoff games rolled around, the Cowboys had already started their exit interviews and fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
📖 Related: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Why the Cowboys Aren't Playing Today
To be playing on January 17, you usually have to be one of the top eight teams left in the league. Dallas didn't even make the top fourteen.
The defense was the main culprit. Despite Jadeveon Clowney putting up a vintage performance with 8.5 sacks on the season—including three in that finale against the Giants—the unit as a whole was a sieve. They gave up career-high days to rookie quarterbacks and let middle-of-the-pack offenses look like the greatest show on turf.
Then there's the Micah Parsons factor. It's still weird seeing him in a Packers jersey, isn't it? That pre-season trade set a tone of transition that head coach Brian Schottenheimer couldn't quite overcome in his first year at the helm.
What Happened in the Last Game?
If you're looking for the most recent "win" or "loss" to settle a bet, the January 4th game against the Giants is your reference point.
- The Score: Giants 34, Cowboys 17.
- The QB Situation: Dak Prescott played the first half to secure his place in the record books—he actually passed his own 2019 mark for third-most passing yards in a single Cowboys season (4,525 yards).
- The Backup: Joe Milton III took over in the second half. He showed some flashes of that legendary arm strength, including a 33-yard dart to Ryan Flournoy, but an interception to Bobby Okereke basically ended any hope of a comeback.
It’s a strange feeling. Usually, by mid-January, we're talking about Jerry Jones making headlines for playoff proclamations. This year, the headlines are about "casting a wide net" for a new defensive coordinator and looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
👉 See also: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Who is the "Winner" in Dallas Today?
If anyone is "winning" in the Cowboys organization today, it’s probably the scouting department. With the season over, the focus has shifted entirely to the draft and free agency.
There's a lot of buzz around the defense. Stephen Jones recently mentioned that the team is making "good progress" in their search for a defensive leader. Names like Jonathan Gannon are floating around for in-person interviews. Fans are already obsessing over mock drafts that have Dallas landing defensive "phenoms" to fix the linebacker depth.
Basically, the "game" being played today by the Cowboys is one of logistics and reconstruction.
The 2026 Outlook: Who Will They Play Next?
Since there is no game today, the next time you'll see the Star on a helmet will be the preseason in August 2026. However, we already know who they're going to face.
Because the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East, their 2026 schedule is actually quite brutal. They’ll be facing the second-place finishers from the AFC North, NFC South, and NFC North. That means matchups against teams like the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers are already locked in for AT&T Stadium.
✨ Don't miss: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
Upcoming Home Opponents for 2026:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Giants
- Washington Commanders
- San Francisco 49ers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Arizona Cardinals
It's not getting any easier.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans Today
Since you can't watch the Cowboys play today, here is how you can actually spend your football Saturday:
- Watch the Seahawks vs. 49ers: This is the game that matters for the NFC hierarchy. If you want to see what a championship-caliber defense looks like, pay attention to how Seattle is containing the edge.
- Track the DC Search: Keep an eye on news regarding Jonathan Gannon. His interview schedule is the closest thing to "action" the Cowboys have right now.
- Check the Draft Order: Dallas is picking in the middle of the pack. Start looking at LSU or Georgia defenders; that seems to be where the front office is leaning.
The Cowboys didn't win today because they weren't on the field. They’re currently in the middle of a massive identity shift, trying to figure out how to get back to playing in mid-January instead of just watching it. If you're looking for live scores, you’ll have to look toward Denver or Seattle. Dallas is already thinking about next September.