You woke up, grabbed your coffee, and started hunting for the Dallas Cowboys time of game today. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026. Usually, this is the heart of the postseason. You’re expecting a Divisional Round kickoff, some trash talk about the Eagles, and a reason to fire up the grill at AT&T Stadium.
But the screen is blank. No kickoff time. No channel listed.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for the fans in Frisco. The reason you can’t find the Dallas Cowboys time of game today is simple: there isn’t one. Dallas officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4th with a disappointing loss to the New York Giants. They finished the season 7-9-1. For the second year in a row, the "America's Team" hype train derailed before the playoffs even started.
The Reality of the 2026 Postseason
While you’re searching for the Cowboys, the rest of the NFL is actually playing. Today, Saturday, January 17, the divisional round is in full swing, but Dallas is watching from the couch.
If you just want to watch some high-stakes football today, here is who actually took the field:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: Kickoff was at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The night cap started at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
It’s a bit surreal. Usually, Jerry Jones has this team in the mix, or at least in the conversation for a Wild Card spot. Instead, the 2025 season under Brian Schottenheimer was a rollercoaster that ended in a ditch. They had a decent November, including a massive comeback against Philadelphia, but December was a disaster. Losses to the Lions, Vikings, and Chargers killed the vibe completely.
Why There’s No Dallas Cowboys Time of Game Today
Usually, when people search for the game time this late in January, they assume the team made the bracket. Dallas was actually eliminated from playoff contention back in Week 16.
The defense was the main culprit. They were giving up nearly 30 points a game toward the end of the year. You can’t win in this league when J.J. McCarthy is carving you up for career highs or when Justin Herbert goes an entire game without being sacked once. Dak Prescott actually had a statistically solid year—throwing for over 4,500 yards—but it wasn't enough to overcome a unit that just couldn't get off the field on third down.
What Happened to the Schedule?
The final whistle for the Cowboys blew on January 4, 2026, at MetLife Stadium. They lost 34-17. Since then, the facility in Frisco has been more about exit interviews than game planning.
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If you see "Cowboys vs. TBD" listed on some ticket sites for today or tomorrow, those are "phantom" listings. They are placeholders created months ago in case Dallas secured a home playoff seed. Since they didn't, those events are marked as cancelled. Don't let an old Google cache result fool you into heading to Arlington today.
Looking Forward to 2026-2027
Since there is no Dallas Cowboys time of game today, the focus has already shifted to the "all-in" offseason Jerry Jones promised.
The team is currently sitting about $34 million over the salary cap. That means the "game" today isn't on the turf; it's in the front office. We're looking at a massive roster reset. Rumors are swirling that up to 17 players could be released or let go in free agency to balance the books.
Key Dates for the Offseason
Since you can't watch them play today, here is what you should actually be marking on your calendar:
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- NFL Scouting Combine: Late February. This is where the Cowboys will look for the defensive help they so desperately need.
- Free Agency Begins: March 2026. Watch for what happens with George Pickens and Javonte Williams; the team needs to lock down their playmakers.
- The 2026 NFL Draft: Late April.
Final Score on the Search
It's weird not seeing the star on TV today. We get it. But the Dallas Cowboys time of game today is nonexistent because the season is over. The team finished second in the NFC East, trailing behind an 11-win Eagles team that actually showed up when it mattered.
The next time you'll see a real kickoff time for Dallas will be the preseason in August 2026. Until then, you might want to tune into the Seahawks/49ers game tonight—at least to see what a playoff-caliber defense looks like.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official NFL standings to see the updated playoff bracket for this weekend.
- Follow local Dallas sports beat writers for updates on the defensive coordinator search.
- Clear your schedule for the NFL Draft in April if you want to see how the front office plans to fix the 7-9-1 mess.