So, you’re looking for the Cowboys game tonight, January 18, 2026. You’ve got the snacks ready, the jersey is on, and you're scrolling through the guide. But there’s a bit of a problem. If you’re asking what channel does dallas cowboys play on tonight, the answer is actually one that most fans in North Texas were dreading a few weeks ago: they aren't playing.
The NFL Divisional Round is happening right now, but Jerry Jones' squad is currently at home. After a rollercoaster 2025-2026 regular season that saw Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy—who, let's be honest, has been on the hottest seat in sports—struggle with consistency, the Cowboys finished 7-9-1. That record wasn't enough to snag a Wild Card spot, let alone a home game at AT&T Stadium.
Why You Can't Find the Cowboys Tonight
The NFL schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, is packed with elite playoff football, but the Star is notably absent. Dallas officially saw their season end on January 4th after a crushing 34-17 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Instead of watching Micah Parsons hunt quarterbacks tonight, the national TV slots are occupied by teams that actually survived the Wild Card gauntlet. Here is what is actually on your television today while the Cowboys begin their early offseason evaluations.
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- 3:00 PM ET: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots. You can find this one on ABC and ESPN.
- 6:30 PM ET: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears. This primetime matchup is airing on NBC and Peacock.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. Watching C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams battle it out for a spot in the Conference Championships while the Cowboys "wait for next year" has become an all-too-familiar tradition for the Dallas faithful.
The Channels You Usually Need
If you're already looking ahead to the 2026-2027 season or just trying to remember where you usually find them, Dallas remains one of the most televised teams in the world. Even in a "down" year, they dominate the primetime windows.
Most Cowboys games air on FOX, thanks to the NFC's long-standing contract with the network. For those local to the DFW area, that’s KDFW Channel 4. When they hit the Sunday Night Football stage, you’re looking at NBC (KXAS Channel 5). Monday nights go to ESPN/ABC, and the occasional Thursday night game stays locked behind the Amazon Prime Video wall.
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Interestingly, the 2025 season saw the NFL experiment more with streaming. The Cowboys actually played a Christmas Day game that was exclusive to Netflix. If you’re trying to catch them next year, you’re basically going to need a revolving door of subscriptions.
What Happened to the 2025-2026 Season?
Why aren't we asking what channel does dallas cowboys play on tonight in the context of a deep playoff run? Honestly, it came down to the trenches. The offensive line, once the gold standard of the league, struggled with injuries and age throughout November and December.
Brian Schottenheimer’s offense had moments of brilliance, but the 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 14 really signaled the beginning of the end. By the time they played their final game against the Giants, the spark was gone. The defense, which kept them in games early in the year, simply spent too much time on the field.
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Where the Cowboys Go From Here
Since there is no game tonight, the front office is already in "rebuild or reload" mode. The 2026 NFL Draft order is being finalized, and Dallas is looking at a much higher pick than they’ve had in recent years. There’s a lot of chatter around the scouting community about whether the Cowboys will look for a successor to Dak or if they'll use that high draft capital to finally fix the run defense.
If you’re a die-hard fan, tonight isn't for watching the Cowboys, but it is for scouting the competition. Watching how the Rams and Bears handle the pressure of the Divisional Round gives you a pretty good idea of the standard Dallas needs to hit to be playing on this date in 2027.
Your Next Steps for Following the Cowboys
Since the "what channel" question for tonight is a bust, here is how you can stay productive as a fan:
- Check the 2026 Opponents List: The NFL has already released who the Cowboys will play next season. They'll be facing the NFC West and AFC South, which means games against the 49ers and Texans are already on the books.
- Monitor Coaching News: With the season over, keep an eye on local outlets like The Dallas Morning News for updates on the coaching staff.
- Audit Your Streaming Services: Since the NFL is spreading games across Peacock, Netflix, and Amazon, now is a good time to see which ones you can cancel until the preseason starts in August.