You’re staring at the TV guide, or more likely, frantically Googling what channel does the Cowboys play today because the postseason energy is everywhere, but the schedule feels like a labyrinth. Here is the blunt, immediate answer: The Dallas Cowboys are not playing today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
If you were hoping to see Dak and the crew take the field for a Divisional Round clash this afternoon, I’ve got some bad news. The Cowboys’ 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up earlier this month. They missed the cut for the Divisional weekend, leaving the spotlight to four other teams battling it out for a spot in the Conference Championships.
It's a bitter pill. Especially when you see the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots hosting massive games today while the Star is notably absent from the bracket.
Why aren't the Cowboys on TV today?
To understand why the search for "what channel does the Cowboys play today" is coming up empty, we have to look at the bracket. The NFL Divisional Round is a high-stakes filter. Yesterday, we saw the Buffalo Bills travel to Denver and the 49ers head to Seattle. Today, the schedule is strictly for the remaining survivors:
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- 3:00 PM ET: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (ABC/ESPN)
- 6:30 PM ET: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (NBC/Peacock)
The Cowboys finished their regular season on January 4, 2026, with a divisional matchup against the New York Giants. While there was plenty of buzz heading into that Week 18 finale—broadcast on FOX, by the way—the postseason path didn't materialize the way fans in Arlington hoped.
Honestly, the "America's Team" hype usually keeps them in the headlines regardless of their record, which leads to this exact confusion. People expect them to be there. But today, the NFC representation is strictly about the Rams and the Bears fighting for that 6:30 PM primetime slot on NBC.
Looking Back at the Season Finale
If you're wondering where it all went sideways, the Week 18 schedule was the turning point. On Sunday, January 4, the Cowboys played the Giants at 1:00 PM ET on FOX. That was the last time they were the "game of the week" for most of the country.
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Jerry Jones and the front office now have a long offseason ahead. While today's games on ABC and NBC will decide who moves closer to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, the Cowboys are already shifting focus toward the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency.
It’s sorta weird to watch a playoff Sunday without the silver and blue, especially with the way the NFC East usually dominates the conversation. But the reality is, if you're looking for a game to watch right now, you’re looking at CJ Stroud in Foxborough or the Rams trying to survive the cold in Chicago.
Where to Watch Future Games
When the 2026-2027 season eventually kicks off in September, you’ll find the Cowboys back in their usual rotation. For those who need a refresher on how to find them next year:
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- FOX: Still the primary home for NFC games and most Cowboys afternoon kickoffs.
- NBC: Where you'll find Sunday Night Football. If the Cowboys are winning, they get flexed here constantly.
- ESPN/ABC: The home of Monday Night Football.
- CBS: Usually handles AFC games, but they often broadcast Cowboys games when they play AFC opponents like the Texans or Colts.
- Amazon Prime Video: The exclusive home of Thursday Night Football.
What Fans Should Do Next
Since the Cowboys aren't playing today, you might as well keep an eye on the Rams vs. Bears game tonight at 6:30 PM. Why? Because the winner of that game will likely define the NFC landscape that Dallas has to compete with next year.
Basically, the season is over for Dallas, but the scouting never stops. You can catch the 3:00 PM game on ABC/ESPN and the nightcap on NBC. If you've cut the cord, Peacock and ESPN+ are your go-to streaming spots for today's action.
Keep an eye on the official 2026 NFL Draft order, which will be finalized as these playoff teams get eliminated. For Dallas, the work for next September starts now.