So, you’re looking for the Cowboys. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and you probably want to know what channel is the cowboys playing on before you settle into the couch with a tray of wings.
Here is the blunt truth: The Dallas Cowboys are not playing today.
If you’re scrolling through the guide on your TV looking for the Star, you’re going to be disappointed. While today is a massive day for NFL football—it’s the start of the Divisional Round of the playoffs—Dallas is currently on the outside looking in. Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up a couple of weeks ago after a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants.
Why the Cowboys Aren't on Your TV Right Now
Honestly, it’s a bit of a sore subject for fans in North Texas. The Cowboys finished their 2025 campaign with a record that just didn't cut it for a wildcard spot in a surprisingly top-heavy NFC. Instead of Mike McCarthy (or whoever is holding the clipboard by this point) leading the team into a high-stakes playoff battle, the squad is already heading into "evaluation mode" for the 2026 season.
📖 Related: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Instead of Dallas, the NFL schedule for today, Saturday, January 17, features two other heavy-hitting matchups. Here is who you can watch:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This AFC showdown kicks off at 4:30 PM ET. You can catch this one on CBS or stream it on Paramount+.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: A classic NFC West rivalry takes the primetime slot at 8:00 PM ET. This game is airing on FOX (and the new FOX One streaming service).
If you were hoping for a "America's Team" fix, you'll have to settle for watching their rivals battle it out for a trip to the Conference Championships.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Dallas Cowboys Schedule
Even though the team is dormant right now, we already know who they'll be facing once the 2026 season kicks off in September. The NFL's rotation is fixed, so while we don't have the exact dates (those usually drop in May), we know the "who" and "where."
👉 See also: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
The 2026 schedule looks like a gauntlet. Because the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East, they have to face a slate of second-place finishers from other divisions, including the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2026 Home Games at AT&T Stadium
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2026 Road Games
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers
There’s also been a ton of chatter about a potential international game. There are strong rumors that Dallas might finally head to Mexico City in 2026 to "host" one of these games, which would be a massive deal for the brand but a bummer for local season ticket holders who lose a home date in Arlington.
How to Watch the Cowboys When They Return
When the new season starts, the broadcast landscape is going to look a little different than it did a few years ago. Basically, if you want to be ready for the next time someone asks what channel is the cowboys playing, you need to have a few specific apps and channels ready.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
FOX remains the primary home for NFC games. If the Cowboys are playing on a Sunday afternoon, there is a roughly 70% chance they are on your local FOX affiliate. However, the NFL has leaned hard into streaming. We saw games on Netflix and Amazon Prime during the 2025 season, and that trend isn't slowing down.
For the out-of-market fans, YouTube TV with NFL Sunday Ticket is still the gold standard, though it's getting pricier every year. If you’re a local fan in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can usually get the games with a simple digital antenna—no $100 cable bill required.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no game today, use this downtime to prep for the offseason cycle:
- Mark your calendar for the 2026 NFL Draft: It's the next big milestone for the team to fix the holes that kept them out of today's playoffs.
- Check your subscription renewals: If you only bought Paramount+ or Peacock to watch NFL games, you might want to pause those subscriptions until the preseason starts in August to save some cash.
- Watch the 49ers vs. Seahawks game tonight: It's on FOX at 8 PM ET. Since these are two teams the Cowboys will definitely play in 2026, it's a good "scouting" opportunity.