Dallas Cowboys Endure Back-to-Back Losing Seasons Amid Tumultuous Finale
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Dallas Cowboys closed their 2025 NFL campaign with a disappointing 34-17 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, marking consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2002. The defeat underscored a tumultuous year for the Cowboys, highlighted by the benching of quarterback Dak Prescott and the ejection of defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku during a heated second half at MetLife Stadium.
Prescott, who entered the game leading the league in passing yards, struggled early, completing just 70 yards and fumbling before being pulled at halftime. Backup Joe Milton was unable to turn the tide, throwing a late interception as the Cowboys fell further behind. The team’s offense sputtered in the second half, being outscored 18-7 after Prescott’s exit.
The game also saw escalating tensions between the teams. Ezeiruaku was ejected in the third quarter following an incident where he removed a Giants player’s helmet between downs, sparking a brawl that involved pushing, shoving, and intentional face-mask grabbing. Dallas defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was also flagged for unnecessary roughness, a penalty that set up the Giants’ successful two-point conversion to extend their lead.
Williams, acquired at the trade deadline from the New York Jets in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick, was expected to bolster Dallas’s defense. However, the Cowboys’ defense, ranked 29th in the NFL this season, has struggled without star linebacker Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers before the season began. Parsons’s departure raised early questions about the team’s competitiveness, which were never fully answered.
Despite a promising three-game winning streak in November that brought Dallas within reach of a playoff spot, the Cowboys could not sustain momentum. Their 2025 season ended with a 7-10-1 record, extending their Super Bowl drought to 30 years.
Team owner Jerry Jones has publicly acknowledged the shortcomings of the season, emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments moving forward. The Cowboys’ front office faces pressure to rebuild a roster capable of competing at the highest level.
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The Cowboys’ struggles this season reflect broader challenges in maintaining consistency in a highly competitive league. Analysts at the ESPN NFL section and Fox Sports NFL coverage have highlighted Dallas’s need to address both offensive execution and defensive discipline.
As the Cowboys look ahead to the 2026 season, questions remain about leadership roles and roster construction. The organization’s decisions in the offseason will be pivotal in determining whether Dallas can break its long-standing Super Bowl drought and return to playoff contention.
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