Jan. 5, 2026, 7:01 a.m. CT
For the 30th-straight year, a Dallas Cowboys season ends in disappointing fashion. The Cowboys were soundly defeated by the lowly New York Giants, 34-17, to finish with a 7-9-1 record. Dallas finishes with back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2002, and as such will again watch the 2026 NFL playoffs pictured on television.
The final loss of the season wasn’t without it’s mini victories; the Cowboys got to see a few young players perform well in what was otherwise a meaningless game. The defense stayed consistent with their performance in what many hope was the final time out for this defensive staff.
Winner: Team Tank
For those who were quietly rooting for a Dallas loss in favor of draft positioning, things went well this weekend. The Cowboys entered the game holding the 13th pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft and could have dropped all the way down to 18th with a win.
Atlanta squeaked by the Saints, pushing Dallas just outside a top-ten selection but another Miami loss cements Dallas with the 12th overall selection.
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The loss to the Giants also lowered a divisional opponent’s slot, as they now pick fifth. While Team Tank can be a controversial topic, its effect in meaningless contests clearly shape the NFL future.
Loser: Cowboys Defense
Move over Mike Nolan, Matt Eberflus has let you off the hook. Dallas became the eighth team in NFL history to allow 500 points in a single season after giving up 34 to New York and were the first Cowboys team in history to allow an over 30 points a game (30.1). Only one team in the NFL averaged more than 30 yards on offense this season (Rams 30.1).
The defense finished second to last in total yards allowed and were one of four teams in the NFL to allow over 6,000 (6,409). Their pass defense finished dead last, with 4,276 aerial yards allowed, and their six interceptions were the second fewest in the NFL only surpassed by the New York Jets who became the first team in NFL history to not record a pick.
Despite investing so many assets into the interior of the defensive line, the Cowboys had a bottom-third rush defense, finishing 25th, giving up 2,133 rushing yards. The team finished 22nd in sacks, recording only 35 on the season.
The Giants were in play for the top overall selection in the draft yet this defense allowed New York to score 71 points in their two divisional contests this season. Disastrous doesn’t even come close to what the Cowboys defense did in 2025 and will for the foreseeable future become a cautionary tale for teams Dallas fields in the future.
Winner: Defensive End Jadeveon Clowney
Free-agent-to-be Jadeveon Clownley was all over the place against the Giants recording three sacks and finishing his season with 8.5 QB takedowns. He also had five pressures, six tackles, four TFLs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery en route to what should be an interesting offseason.
He turns 33 on Valentine’s Day and although he led the Cowboys in sacks despite not being on the opening day roster, he was clearly the best edge defender Dallas had all season long.
The 2014 first overall pick signed with Dallas on a one-year $3.45 million contract and whomever the Cowboys defensive coordinator is in 2026 may play a big part if Clowney returns to Dallas for another season. His asking price may have also jumped with this season-ending performance.
Winner: Running back Jaydon Blue
Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue needed time to adjust to how things work in the pros but if Sunday’s performance is a sign for things to come, Dallas may have found their change of pace back to compliment whomever the team opts for as their starter.
Blue ran 16 times for 64 yards averaging 4 yards a carry including his first NFL rushing touchdown.
With the starters still in the game, Blue was effective as a runner and gashed the Giants defense with multiple long runs in the first half. His second half performance wasn’t as effective as the team opted to give fellow rookie runner Phil Mafah his opportunity.
Mafah himself rushed five times for 18 yards and also got into the end zone for the first time in his young career.
A full NFL offseason program should be beneficial for Blue who possesses rare acceleration and burst for the RB position. Another season under the same scheme should also assist with the mental part of the game in what should be a brighter sophomore season.
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