NFL
Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks Final Score, Highlights August 16, 2026
The Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks preseason matchup on August 16, 2026, ended with Dallas earning a 17–7 victory over Seattle at Lumen Field. The Cowboys overcame an early deficit by scoring 17 unanswered points after the Seahawks opened the game with a touchdown.
The result gave Dallas a winning start to its 2026 preseason, while Seattle began its preseason schedule with a home defeat. The game also provided both teams with valuable opportunities to evaluate young players and roster depth.
Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks Final Score
The official NFL game center records the following quarter-by-quarter scoring:
| Team | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Cowboys Overcome Early Seattle Lead
The Seahawks appeared to have the early advantage after scoring seven points in the opening quarter.
Dallas, however, responded before halftime.
The Cowboys scored 10 points in the second quarter, turning the game around and taking a 10–7 lead into halftime.
Dallas then added seven more points in the third quarter, extending the advantage to 17–7.
Seattle was unable to respond during the final two quarters.
Dallas Controls the Game After Halftime
The second half belonged to Dallas. The Cowboys scored seven points during the third quarter and then held Seattle scoreless throughout the fourth.
That meant Seattle did not add to its opening-quarter touchdown. Dallas' defense therefore played an important role in protecting the lead and securing the preseason victory. Read more Philadelphia Eagles vs Baltimore Ravens.
Game Played at Lumen Field
The matchup was played at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. The NFL's official game center confirms Lumen Field as the venue and lists Dallas as the 17–7 winner.
The Cowboys entered Seattle for their first preseason game of the year, while the Seahawks began their exhibition schedule at home.
Dallas Starts the Preseason 1–0
The victory moved the Cowboys to 1–0 in the preseason. Dallas' official team schedule confirms the 17–7 win over Seattle before the Cowboys later faced Arizona in Week 2.
For a preseason game, the most important objective is player evaluation rather than the standings, but opening with a victory still gives the team a positive result to build on.
Seattle Opens 0–1
Seattle's loss left the Seahawks 0–1 in the preseason. The official Seahawks schedule lists Dallas as the team's previous game, with the Cowboys winning 17–7 on August 15.
Seattle would later travel to Tennessee for its second preseason game.
Why the Matchup Was Important
The Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks game was one of the key matchups on the opening Saturday of the 2026 NFL preseason.
The NFL's preseason schedule placed the game at 8 p.m. ET on August 15, following several other Saturday preseason contests.
The game provided both organizations with live opportunities to evaluate players before the regular season.
Preseason Evaluation Is the Main Objective
The final score is what most fans search for first, but preseason games are primarily about evaluation.
Coaches can use these games to assess:
- Backup quarterbacks
- Rookie prospects
- Running backs
- Wide receivers
- Tight ends
- Offensive linemen
- Defensive linemen
- Linebackers
- Defensive backs
- Special-teams players
Players competing for roster spots can receive extended playing time, making preseason games especially important for young and inexperienced members of the roster.
Dallas Finds Its Offensive Rhythm
The Cowboys' scoring pattern shows that the offense improved after a scoreless first quarter.
Dallas scored 10 points in the second quarter and seven in the third.
That 17-point stretch was enough to completely reverse Seattle's early advantage.
The Cowboys then relied on their defense to protect the lead.
Seattle's Offense Starts Well but Fades
Seattle's seven points came in the opening quarter.
The Seahawks then went scoreless for the remainder of the game.
That was ultimately the biggest problem for Seattle.
A team can survive a slow offensive stretch in preseason, but failing to score for three consecutive quarters makes it difficult to maintain a lead.
Defensive Performance Becomes Important
Dallas' defense deserves credit for holding Seattle scoreless after the opening quarter.
The Cowboys did not allow another scoring drive during the second, third or fourth quarters.
That gave Dallas' offense enough room to build and protect its lead.
For defensive players competing for roster positions, that type of performance can provide useful game film for the coaching staff.
Dallas' Fourth-Quarter Defense
The Cowboys entered the final period leading 17–7.
Seattle needed at least two scoring possessions to completely change the game.
Instead, Dallas held the Seahawks without a point.
The fourth-quarter shutout ensured that the Cowboys finished the afternoon with a 10-point victory.
Seattle Could Not Complete a Comeback
The Seahawks were in a manageable position at halftime, trailing only 10–7.
But Dallas' third-quarter touchdown increased the deficit to 10 points.
Seattle then failed to score during the fourth quarter.
That prevented the Seahawks from producing a comeback in front of their home crowd.
What Dallas Can Take From the Victory
Dallas can take several positives from the result.
The Cowboys:
- Overcame an early deficit
- Scored 17 unanswered points
- Took control before halftime
- Added another touchdown in the third quarter
- Held Seattle scoreless for the final three quarters
- Finished with a 17–7 victory
The result provides a positive starting point for the team's preseason evaluation process.
What Seattle Can Learn From the Loss
Seattle's main concern is offensive consistency.
The Seahawks scored seven points in the first quarter but failed to add anything afterward.
The coaching staff can use the game film to identify why the offense struggled to sustain drives and generate additional scoring opportunities.
The defensive side also has areas to review after allowing Dallas to score 17 unanswered points.
Momentum Shift in the Second Quarter
The second quarter was the game's first major turning point.
Seattle had a 7–0 advantage after the opening period.
Dallas then scored 10 points before halftime.
That sequence completely changed the momentum.
Instead of entering halftime behind, Dallas went into the locker room with a three-point advantage.
Third Quarter Extends Dallas' Lead
Dallas' touchdown in the third quarter was another important moment.
The Cowboys increased their advantage from 10–7 to 17–7.
From there, Dallas' defense maintained control.
Seattle never found another scoring opportunity that resulted in points.
No Fourth-Quarter Scoring
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
For Dallas, that was a positive defensive result because the team successfully protected its 10-point advantage.
For Seattle, the scoreless fourth quarter represented another missed opportunity to challenge the Cowboys.
The final period therefore became more about defensive execution and clock management than offensive production.
Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks Match Information
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks |
| Date | August 15, 2026 |
| Competition | NFL Preseason |
| Venue | Lumen Field |
| Location | Seattle, Washington |
| Final Score | Dallas Cowboys 17–7 Seattle Seahawks |
| Winner | Dallas Cowboys |
The NFL's official game center confirms the final score, venue and quarter-by-quarter result.
Key Scoring Pattern
The most important scoring sequence was Dallas' response after Seattle's opening touchdown.
Seattle scored seven points in the first quarter.
Dallas then scored:
10 points in the second quarter + 7 points in the third quarter = 17 unanswered points.
Seattle never scored again.
That was enough to produce the final 17–7 result.
Dallas' Strong Second and Third Quarters
The Cowboys' victory was built during the middle quarters.
Dallas scored in both the second and third periods.
That gave the offense enough production to establish a lead while the defense continued to limit Seattle.
The Cowboys did not need to score in the fourth quarter because their defense protected the advantage.
Seattle's First-Quarter Start
Seattle's opening seven points demonstrated that the Seahawks could generate offense early.
However, the inability to continue scoring became the defining issue.
The Seahawks went from leading 7–0 to trailing 17–7 without scoring again.
That 17-point swing ultimately determined the outcome.
Importance for Young Players
The preseason provides a different environment from the regular season.
Young players often receive opportunities to play significant snaps, allowing coaches to assess them against NFL competition.
For both Dallas and Seattle, this game was therefore about more than the final score.
Coaches could examine individual performances and determine which players deserved additional opportunities during the remaining preseason schedule.
Cowboys and Seahawks Continue Their Preseason
The August 15 matchup was only the first preseason game for each club.
Dallas' schedule shows the Cowboys then played Arizona on August 22 before their third preseason contest against New Orleans.
Seattle's schedule shows the Seahawks followed the Dallas game with a road matchup against Tennessee on August 23 and then a preseason finale against Kansas City on August 28.
That meant both teams had additional opportunities to evaluate their rosters.
Why the 17–7 Result Matters
The final result is particularly notable because Dallas did not simply win from start to finish.
Seattle scored first.
Dallas then responded with 17 consecutive points.
That makes the game a useful example of how preseason momentum can change quickly as teams rotate quarterbacks and other players.
Final Analysis
The Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks preseason game on August 16, 2026, finished with a 17–7 Dallas victory at Lumen Field.
Seattle opened the scoring and led 7–0 after the first quarter. Dallas responded with 10 points in the second quarter to take a 10–7 halftime lead. The Cowboys added another seven points in the third quarter, extending their advantage to 17–7. From there, Dallas' defense took over. The Seahawks were held scoreless throughout the final three quarters, while Dallas protected its 10-point lead through the fourth quarter.
The victory gave Dallas a 1–0 preseason record, while Seattle fell to 0–1. The official team schedules confirm those records following the matchup. For Dallas, the most encouraging aspect was the team's response after falling behind early. The Cowboys scored 17 unanswered points and then relied on their defense to close out the game.
For Seattle, the major lesson was offensive consistency. The Seahawks produced seven points in the opening period but could not find the scoreboard again. As a preseason contest, the game was ultimately about evaluating players and preparing for the regular season. Nevertheless, Dallas' comeback and defensive finish provided the Cowboys with a positive opening result.
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