If you’re a Cowboys fan, you already know the drill. Every August starts with "this is our year" and every January ends with a collective sigh in North Texas. But the Dallas Cowboys football schedule for the 2025-2026 season was a particularly weird ride. Honestly, looking back at the stretch from September to that final January 4th loss in New York, it was a season of massive highs followed by head-scratching lows.
It wasn't just about the wins and losses. It was about how they happened. We saw a team that could hang 44 points on Washington one week and then completely fall apart against a struggling Chargers squad a few weeks later.
The Gauntlet: Breaking Down the 2025 Results
The season kicked off with a brutal Thursday night trip to Philadelphia on September 4th. Losing 24-20 to the Eagles right out of the gate felt like a punch to the gut. But then, Week 2 brought some life back into AT&T Stadium. That overtime thriller against the Giants—a 40-37 win—had everyone thinking the offense was finally clicking.
Basically, the first half of the season was a rollercoaster. You had that weird 40-40 tie with the Packers in Week 4. Who ties in 2025? It was one of those games where neither defense wanted to win.
Then came the "November Surge" that turned into a "December Slide."
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A Tale of Two Months
November actually looked promising for a minute.
- The Raiders Win: A solid 33-16 victory in Las Vegas.
- The Philly Revenge: Gritting out a 24-21 win at home against the Eagles.
- Thanksgiving Magic: Beating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 on national TV.
That Thanksgiving game was peak Cowboys. Patrick Mahomes was in town, the turkey was on the table, and Dallas actually held on. It felt like they were locked for a deep playoff run. But then December hit, and the wheels didn't just wobble—they fell off.
Why the Schedule Got the Best of Dallas
Look at the stretch from December 4th to December 21st. They lost to Detroit. They lost to Minnesota. They got handled by the Chargers. Three straight losses when the playoff race was heating up.
A lot of experts, including those over at Fox Sports and The Athletic, pointed to the defensive fatigue. By the time Week 16 rolled around, the unit was gassed. Losing Zack Martin to retirement earlier in the cycle and dealing with a shifting defensive line meant the depth just wasn't there.
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The Christmas Miracle and the January Letdown
Surprisingly, they traveled to Washington on Christmas Day and actually won. A 30-23 victory gave fans a glimmer of hope heading into the final week. All they had to do was beat a Giants team that had been struggling.
They didn't.
That 34-17 loss at MetLife Stadium on January 4, 2026, officially ended the season with a 7-9-1 record. No playoffs. No "Cowboy Year." Just a lot of questions for Mike McCarthy and Jerry Jones.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Even though the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, we already know who the Cowboys are facing in 2026. Because of the NFL’s rotating schedule, Dallas will be matched up against the NFC West and the AFC South next year.
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Since they finished second in the NFC East (behind the Eagles), they'll also play the second-place finishers from the other NFC divisions.
Home Games at AT&T Stadium for 2026:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Giants
- Washington Commanders
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills
- TBD NFC West Opponent
The Road Trips for 2026:
- Houston Texans (The battle for Texas!)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers (Because it’s not a season without a trip to Lambeau)
What Fans Should Do Now
The 2025-2026 Dallas Cowboys football schedule proved that you can't take "easy" games for granted. Those losses to Carolina and the Jets earlier in the season were the difference between a wildcard spot and sitting on the couch in January.
If you're planning for next year, keep an eye on the official date release in May 2026. The NFL usually drops the specific times and dates then.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason:
- Audit the Roster: Watch the free agency moves in March. With several defensive starters hitting the market, the Cowboys need to find value fast.
- Draft Strategy: Keep an eye on the interior offensive line. The post-Zack Martin era started rough, and they need a foundational piece at guard or center.
- Travel Planning: If you want to see the Texans game in Houston, book early. That's going to be the most expensive ticket on the 2026 road slate.
- Manage Expectations: Sorta goes without saying, but don't buy the "Super Bowl bound" hype in July. Look at the mid-season defensive rotations instead.
The 2025 season was a mess of inconsistencies, but the 2026 schedule offers a chance at a clean slate. Whether the team actually takes it is anyone's guess.