Wait. Stop scrolling. If you're frantically googling the time of the cowboys game today, I have some news that might bum you out, or maybe give you your Sunday afternoon back.
Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The Dallas Cowboys aren't playing today. In the NFL, Wednesday games are about as rare as a quiet day in the Jerry Jones front office. Unless it’s a weird COVID-era rescheduled kickoff or a very specific holiday stunt, the league sticks to its Sunday-Monday-Thursday rhythm.
But I get why you're asking. The postseason is here. The energy in North Texas is vibrating at a different frequency because, let's be honest, the "next year is our year" mantra actually feels like it might be sticking for once. Usually, by mid-January, we're either deep in a playoff run or dissecting a catastrophic collapse that happened in the Wild Card round.
Where do the Cowboys stand right now?
To understand when they play next, you have to look at the bracket. Since it's mid-January, we are officially in the heart of the NFL playoffs. If the Cowboys secured a high seed, they might be prepping for a Divisional Round matchup this coming weekend. If they got bounced early... well, we’re looking at mock drafts and wondering if the coaching staff is getting a total overhaul.
Historically, the Cowboys are the kings of the 3:25 PM CST slot—the "America’s Game of the Week" on FOX. It’s the most-watched window in television. Advertisers crave it. The NFL knows that putting a star on the helmet and a 3:00 PM start time together is basically printing money.
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But the playoffs change the rules.
In the postseason, the time of the cowboys game today would usually be dictated by the networks: CBS, FOX, NBC (Peacock), and ESPN/ABC. They rotate the prime slots. If Dallas is playing, they are almost guaranteed a late Sunday afternoon or a Saturday night primetime "Megacast" because the ratings floor for a Cowboys playoff game is higher than the ceiling for almost any other matchup.
The AT&T Stadium Factor
Have you ever been to Arlington when the sun hits that west-facing window just right? It’s a nightmare for receivers and a goldmine for photographers. When people check the time of the cowboys game today, they aren't just looking for when to crack a beer. They’re looking to see if the "blinding light" factor is going to be an issue in the second quarter.
Jerry Jones has famously refused to put up curtains for that glare. He calls it an architectural feature; fans call it an unforced error. If the game starts at 3:30 PM, that sun is a genuine tactical variable that opposing quarterbacks have to account for.
How to actually find the kickoff time without the fluff
Look, most "schedule" sites are bloated with ads and trackers. If you want the real-time update, the only places that don't hallucinate are the official NFL app or the Cowboys’ own digital headquarters.
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- The NFL App: It syncs to your local timezone automatically. No math required.
- The "Gamecenter" on NFL.com: This gives you the inactive list 90 minutes before the ball is kicked.
- Local Radio (105.3 The Fan): If you're in DFW, Brad Sham is the voice of God. If he’s not talking about a pre-game show, the game isn't happening.
The time of the cowboys game today is a ghost because it's Wednesday. But for the upcoming weekend, you should be looking at the 17th or 18th of January. That is when the real stress begins.
Why the NFL schedule feels so confusing lately
Blame the streaming wars. It used to be simple: NFC on FOX, AFC on CBS. Now? You might need Amazon Prime, Peacock, Paramount+, and a goat sacrifice to find the right channel.
For the 2025-2026 season, the NFL leaned even harder into "exclusive" windows. We saw more games tucked behind paywalls than ever before. If you're searching for the time of the cowboys game today, you also need to be searching for the platform.
It’s frustrating.
You’ve got a $3,000 OLED TV and you’re still squinting at a buffered stream because the rights were sold to a tech giant instead of a broadcaster.
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What to do if you're prepping for a watch party
If you are getting ready for the actual next game—likely this Saturday or Sunday—don't just trust the "placeholder" times you see on secondary ticket markets. Those sites often list a generic "12:00 PM" time until the NFL officially flexes the game.
Wait for the official league announcement, which usually drops late Sunday night or early Monday morning after the previous week's games conclude.
Actionable Next Steps for Cowboys Fans
Since there is no game this second, here is how you stay ahead of the curve for the playoff window:
- Download the Dallas Cowboys Official App: Toggle the "Kickoff Alerts" in the settings. They send a push notification exactly 60 minutes before the coin toss.
- Check the Weather in Arlington: Even though "Jerry World" has a roof, the temperature dictates if the "Retractable End Zone Walls" stay open. That draft changes how the ball carries for kickers like Brandon Aubrey.
- Verify Your Streaming Access: If the game is on Peacock or Amazon, log in now. Don't be the person resetting your password while the Cowboys are already up 7-0.
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the Cowboys' website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. It updates dynamically. If the NFL flexes the time of the cowboys game today to a later slot, your phone will update itself without you having to check Google again.
The Cowboys might be "America's Team," but they operate on a schedule that waits for no one. Get your jerseys ready for the weekend. Today, enjoy the peace and quiet.