The Cowboys' 2025 season came to an ugly end at MetLife Stadium.
The Dallas Cowboys' season ended Sunday in horrific fashion, with a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. ... and so much blame to be spread around.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer didn't get the win he was craving with Dak Prescott playing a half before Joe Milton took over. Coordinator Matt Eberflus' defense was atrocious yet again (aside from Jadeveon Clowney), as Jaxson Dart hung 34 points on a coach that logic says should not be retained.
Prior to the game, we highlighted five things the Cowboys had to do to end the year with a win.
For the final time in the 2025 season, let's see how they did.
Eberflus' defense take advantage of Giants turnovers - Grade F
Clowney had a fumble recovery (and three sacks), but aside from that, Jaxson Dart and the New York offense didn't appear phased one bit by Dallas' defense.
Milton's interception and Prescott's fumble led to Dallas losing the turnover battle yet again this season.
Just another game where the defense struggled to get anything positive going, and the offense shot itself in the foot.
Protect Dak Prescott/Joe Milton - Grade B
No sacks in first half on Prescott, and none in the second half on Milton.
So, in a game where the injury risk was high, at least Dak wasn't put in harm's way and escaped MetLife without injury.
Fix second-half offensive issues - Grade C
Well, the Cowboys scored a touchdown, so that's something.
But only seven points against this Giants defense, even with Milton, isn't enough, as Dallas ended the season with a whimper.
In someways, the performance perfectly encapsulates the 2025 season.
Lean on Dine and Dash 2.0 - Grade C
Both Blue and Mafah got their first NFL touchdowns at MetLife Stadium, but that's as good as it got.
Jaydon rushed for 76 yards on 11 carries in the first half, while Mafah was barely sighted. He did rush for 18 yards in the second half on five carries.
Both showed a little bit of promise in the season finale.
Role players step up - Grade C
Brevyn Spann-Ford had a 23-yard completion on a seam route from Dak, Ryan Flournoy posted 68 yards from his five receptions, Blue and Mafah showed glimpses, but that was as good as it got.
The defensive role players didn't cover themselves in glory with - to name just one of many examples - rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku ejected for pulling the helmet off a Giants player, as Eberflus' defense allowed the Giants to do as they pleased.
Said Schottenheimer of his 7-9-1 team: “At the end of the day, we didn’t win enough games. That starts with me. ... There are a number of issues we have to address, and we’ll do that.”