If you're frantically refreshing your phone looking for the Dallas Cowboys game score today, I have some bad news for you. There isn't one. The Cowboys are not playing today, January 18, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing with the Texans taking on the Patriots and the Rams facing the Bears, Dallas is watching from the couch.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. Especially for a fan base that expects "America’s Team" to be deep in the hunt every January. But the reality is that the Cowboys’ 2025-2026 season ended two weeks ago in East Rutherford.
The Final Score That Ended the Season
The last time we saw a final score for Dallas was on January 4, 2026. It wasn't pretty. They went into MetLife Stadium to face a struggling New York Giants team and walked away with a 34-17 loss. That game officially slammed the door on any playoff hopes.
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The Cowboys finished the year with a disappointing 7-9-1 record.
Honestly, the game against the Giants felt like a microcosm of the entire season. Dak Prescott started but only played until halftime. He was chasing a passing title but ended the day with just 70 yards. Then Joe Milton took over. Seeing Milton get some snaps was interesting, sure, but it didn't change the outcome. The defense, which had been inconsistent all year, gave up over 160 rushing yards to a Giants team that hadn't had a 100-yard rusher all season until that afternoon.
Where the Cowboys Stand Today
So, if there’s no Dallas Cowboys game score today, what is the team actually doing? They are in full-blown "rebuild and rethink" mode.
The biggest news out of Frisco right now isn't about touchdowns; it's about the coaching staff. Following the season finale, the team parted ways with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. It feels like a revolving door at this point. This will be their fourth defensive coordinator in four years. Stephen Jones mentioned recently that they are "casting a wide net" to find the right fit.
They've already interviewed nearly a dozen candidates. But there's a catch. Because it's playoff weekend, some of the guys they really want to talk to are currently busy coaching teams that are actually playing today.
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Key Offseason Priorities
- Finding a Defensive Identity: The defense was undisciplined in the finale. They need a coach who can simplify things for a talented but frustrated roster.
- The Running Back Room: One bright spot in that final loss was seeing rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah both score their first career touchdowns. It looks like the backfield might finally have some young legs to build around.
- The Quarterback Question: Dak is still the guy, but the "what-if" games are starting early this year.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Even without a game today, we already know who the Cowboys will be facing next season. Since they finished second in the NFC East, they have a "second-place" schedule.
They’ll have the usual home-and-away battles with the Eagles, Commanders, and Giants. But they also have tough road trips lined up for 2026. We’re talking about visiting the Packers at Lambeau, the Seahawks in Seattle, and the Rams at SoFi. If they want to be playing on a Sunday in mid-January next year, they have a massive amount of work to do in the draft and free agency.
It's weird not seeing the star on the helmet today. The Divisional Round is usually when the "real" football starts, and seeing rivals like the Eagles (who were knocked out in the Wild Card round by the 49ers) and the Cowboys both sitting at home is a strange sight for the NFC East.
What You Should Do Next
Since there is no Dallas Cowboys game score today, your best bet is to keep an eye on the coaching search.
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- Watch the Divisional Games: Pay attention to the defensive schemes used by the Texans or the Rams. Some of those assistants are likely on the Cowboys' short list.
- Track the DC Interviews: The team is expected to start narrowing down their list for in-person interviews by the end of this week.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at linebacker and interior defensive line prospects. If that Giants game taught us anything, it's that Dallas needs to get a lot stouter against the run before next September rolls around.
The season is over, but the work in Frisco is just getting started.