Even though the Dallas Cowboys aren’t in the NFC Playoffs for the second consecutive season, they still managed to notch a win in the opening round — a win that might lead to an actual playoff win one day.
After the Chicago Bears rallied from 15 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round on Saturday, January 11, it gave the Cowboys the 20th pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
The Cowboys now have 2 first round picks in 2026; at No. 12 and No. 20.
From the Cowboys’ official website: “After the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday, the Cowboys will get the 20th overall pick in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s the second pick that Dallas will hold in the first round, with their own being at 12th overall and the Packers’ pick coming to Dallas as part of the Micah Parsons trade. The Packers finished the regular season 9-7-1, just ahead of the Panthers (8-9). Both teams were eliminated Saturday in the Wild Card round. Had Carolina defeated the Rams, the Cowboys would’ve picked No. 19. As it stands, the Cowboys will pick 12 and 20 in the 2026 Draft, marking the sixth time in franchise history that the Cowboys will have two or more first-round picks, and the first time since 2008.”
In 2008, the Cowboys selected running back Felix Jones (No. 22 overall) and cornerback Mike Jenkins (No. 25) in the first round.
Who Cowboys Are Projected to Draft in First Round
Sitting at approximately $36 million over the salary cap headed into the offseason, who the next few months shakes out could factor into what the Cowboys do with their first round picks, but there are some things the Cowboys need that are set in stone.
All of those things seem to exist on the defensive side of the ball. As evidenced by the fact owner Jerry Jones stepped in and fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after just one season.
Bleacher Report’s post-regular season mock draft projects the Cowboys will take Ohio State inside linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 12 overall.
From B/R: “The Dallas Cowboys were the only squad in the NFL to field a top-three offense and bottom-three defense during the 2025 regular season … Dallas could add any defensive prospect in April’s first round and be better off than it was entering the process. But Sonny Styles may be the perfect addition, because he fits what the Cowboys like in their off-ball linebackers. He also gives the unit a Day 1 field general, who brings a complete skill set.”
Cowboys Likely to Double Up on Defense in 1st Round
If the Cowboys do keep both of their first round picks, there’s a really good chance they double up on defensive picks with Styles and the best cornerback available.
If things fall in favor of the Cowboys, that could mean a shot at LSU’s Mansoor Delane, who is regarded as the top-rated cornerback in the 2026 draft class.
“(Delane) is technically sound with a savvy skill set,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote. “Delane has the speed to turn and run with targets in man coverage, but his eyes in zone coverage are among the best of any corner in this year’s class. His 27.8% completion percentage allowed was the third-lowest rate in the FBS, and he had 11 pass breakups and two interceptions this season.”
Dallas Cowboys remain alone with horrible NFL playoff history after Patriots win-vdt
Dallas Cowboys Remain Alone in Infamous NFL Playoff History After Patriots Win
The Dallas Cowboys remain painfully alone in one of the most unfortunate statistical corners of NFL playoff history — and Sunday night only reinforced that reality.
THE COWBOYS ARE STILL THE ONLY TEAM TO EVER LOSE A WILD CARD GAME AS A NO. 2 SEED.
Why the Patriots’ Win Matters to Dallas
On Sunday night, the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round. At first glance, that result might seem irrelevant to Dallas. It was not.
New England entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the AFC, placing them in the same position Dallas once held — hosting a No. 7 seed under the NFL’s expanded playoff format.
Earlier in the weekend, the Chicago Bears, the No. 2 seed in the NFC, also handled their business. Chicago defeated the Green Bay Packers, advancing without drama.
For Cowboys fans, that Bears win came with mixed emotions. On one hand, it solidified the No. 20 overall pick Dallas owns from Chicago as part of the Micah Parsons trade, which is objectively positive. On the other hand, it reinforced a much harsher truth.
WHEN BOTH NO. 2 SEEDS ADVANCE, THE COWBOYS’ FAILURE STANDS EVEN MORE ALONE.
The Expanded Playoff Era Makes It Worse
To fully understand the weight of this statistic, context is essential.
The NFL expanded the playoff field to seven teams per conference beginning with the 2020 season, creating a new Wild Card dynamic where the No. 2 seed hosts the No. 7 seed. We have now completed six full seasons under this format.
That means:
- 12 total teams have entered the playoffs as a No. 2 seed
- 12 teams have hosted a Wild Card game against a No. 7 seed
Following wins by Chicago and New England, those No. 2 seeds now hold an 11–1 record in those games.
THE ONLY LOSS BELONGS TO THE 2023 DALLAS COWBOYS.
A Loss That Still Echoes
That defeat was not just another postseason disappointment. It was historic — and not in a way any franchise wants to be remembered.
The Cowboys’ loss in the 2023 Wild Card Round instantly placed them in a category of one. And as each postseason passes with No. 2 seeds continuing to do exactly what they are expected to do, that loss grows heavier.
IT HAS FELT, IN MANY WAYS, LIKE THE COWBOYS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ESCAPE THAT MOMENT EVER SINCE.
Every January reminder, every advancing No. 2 seed, every clean Wild Card victory by another contender sharpens the contrast. Dallas does not just lose playoff games — they lose them historically.
Why This One Still Hurts
The expanded playoff format was designed to reward top teams with a clear advantage. Hosting a No. 7 seed is supposed to be the safest path forward in the postseason.
And it has been — for everyone except Dallas.
That is what makes this statistic so brutal. It is not merely that the Cowboys lost. It is that no one else has.
SIX YEARS. TWELVE TEAMS. ONE FAILURE.
The Weight of Isolation
As another playoff weekend passes, the Cowboys remain stuck with a distinction no franchise wants. While others move forward, Dallas stands still — frozen in a moment that continues to define recent postseason identity.
The Patriots advanced.
The Bears advanced.
Every other No. 2 seed advanced.
The Cowboys did not.
