So, you're looking to watch Dallas Cowboys game today, Saturday, January 17, 2026. I get it. The habit of tuning in to see the Star on a playoff weekend is basically hardwired into our brains at this point. But if you’ve been scouring the TV guide or refreshing your streaming apps, you’ve probably noticed something a little... empty.
Honestly, the reality for Cowboys fans right now is a bit of a gut punch. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing with some massive matchups, the Dallas Cowboys are actually watching from home this year. After a regular season that can only be described as a rollercoaster that ended in a ditch, the team finished with a 7-9-1 record. They officially missed the postseason after a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants on January 4th.
It's a weird feeling. Usually, by mid-January, we're either celebrating a Wild Card win or—more likely, let's be real—recovering from a heartbreaking last-second loss. This year, the silence coming out of The Star in Frisco is pretty deafening.
Who is Playing Today if Not the Cowboys?
Since there isn't a way to watch Dallas Cowboys game today, you might be wondering what the rest of the league is up to. The NFL doesn't stop just because Jerry Jones is having a rough January. Today is Day 1 of the Divisional Round, and the schedule is actually pretty stacked.
If you’re a fan of "pure" football (or just want to scout the teams the Cowboys will have to jump over next year), here is what’s on the docket for Saturday:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This one is kicking off at 4:30 PM ET. You can catch it on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. Seeing Bo Nix lead the Broncos against Josh Allen is basically a masterclass in how much a young QB can change a franchise's trajectory in a single season.
- Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers: This is the late-night special at 8:15 PM ET. It’s airing on FOX and FOX One. It’s a classic NFC West grudge match, and honestly, watching the Niners' defense is always a reminder of what the Cowboys' front seven was supposed to look like this year.
Why the Cowboys Missed the Cut
It’s easy to point at one thing, but the 2025-2026 season was a "death by a thousand cuts" situation. Brian Schottenheimer took over the reins, and while there were flashes of brilliance—like that Thanksgiving win over the Chiefs—the consistency just wasn't there.
Dak Prescott had a weirdly uneven year. He still put up big numbers at times, and his 14-game win streak over the Giants was legendary until it finally snapped in the season finale. But the running game never truly found its rhythm. The defense, which was supposed to be the backbone of the team, struggled with injuries and gave up way too many big plays in December.
Basically, the Cowboys entered the "all-in" offseason of 2025 and ended up folding before the final hand was dealt. Now, the front office is staring down 22 pending free agents and a fanbase that is beyond restless.
Best Ways to Stream the NFL Right Now
Even though you can't watch Dallas Cowboys game today, you're probably still going to want to watch the playoffs. The streaming landscape has changed a ton even in the last year.
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Paramount+ is your go-to for anything on CBS. If you’re a cord-cutter, this is usually the cheapest way to get high-quality NFL feeds without a full cable package.
FOX One is a newer player that’s been picking up steam. It’s a standalone service from FOX that lets you stream their games directly. It’s pretty slick, though some people still prefer the old-school reliability of a digital antenna.
YouTube TV and NFL Sunday Ticket are still the heavy hitters for out-of-market fans, though during the playoffs, almost everything is nationally televised anyway.
Fubo and Sling TV are the best "cable alternatives." If you want the full experience with a DVR and multiple channels, Fubo is usually the move, though Sling is better if you're trying to save a few bucks and only care about specific networks.
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What’s Next for the Cowboys?
The focus has already shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft and the looming free agency period. Jerry Jones is under immense pressure to make some big moves. The 2026 opponents list is already out, and it looks brutal. They’ve got matchups against the 49ers, Jaguars, Rams, and Packers on the horizon.
If the Cowboys want to be playing on January 17th next year, they need a total defensive identity shift and some serious help in the trenches.
For now, the best thing you can do is grab some wings, put on the Bills-Broncos game, and start scouting the competition. The path back to the top of the NFC East is going to be a long one, but at least we don't have to deal with the stress of a playoff fumble today.
Instead of looking for a game that isn't happening, you should check out the latest 2026 mock drafts or look into the contract status of the Cowboys' unrestricted free agents. The "offseason" in Dallas is usually more dramatic than the actual games anyway.