If you're frantically checking your remote and wondering what channel is the Dallas Cowboy game on today, I have some news that might sting a bit.
The Dallas Cowboys are not playing today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for the fans in North Texas. After a season that felt like a rollercoaster, the Cowboys' journey officially ended on January 4th. They wrapped up their regular season with a 13-31 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. That defeat left them with a 7-9-1 record, which just wasn't enough to secure a spot in the NFC playoffs. While the Divisional Round is happening right now, Dallas is already looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
The NFL Playoff Schedule for Sunday, January 18
Even though Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb aren't taking the field, there is still high-stakes football happening today. We are in the thick of the Divisional Round. If you’re a football junkie, these are the games you’re actually seeing on your TV guide right now:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC and Peacock
Yesterday, we saw the Denver Broncos edge out the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in a wild overtime thriller on CBS, and the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Seattle Seahawks on FOX. It’s a stacked weekend, just without the Star on the helmet.
Why the Cowboys Aren't Playing Today
It’s easy to get confused because the Cowboys are almost always in the hunt come January. But this year, the math didn't work out. After starting the season with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the team struggled to find consistency. Brian Schottenheimer’s offense had moments of brilliance, but the defense—which we expected to be elite—faltered in key divisional matchups.
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Finishing 7-9-1 put them well behind the Eagles (who made the playoffs) and even behind the Giants in the final standings. Because they didn't make the Wild Card round, their season ended two weeks ago.
Where to Watch the Rest of the 2026 NFL Playoffs
If you’ve moved past the heartbreak and just want to see who makes it to Super Bowl LX, you'll need to keep a few channels bookmarked. The broadcast rights are split between the big four networks and a couple of streaming platforms.
CBS and Paramount+ generally handle the AFC side of things. They’ll be airing the AFC Championship game next Sunday, January 25, at 3:05 PM ET.
FOX is the go-to for the NFC Championship. That game is scheduled for next Sunday at 6:40 PM ET. If you're a cord-cutter, the FOX Sports app or a service like FuboTV or YouTube TV is your best bet here.
NBC and Peacock are the big winners this year because they have the rights to Super Bowl LX. Mark your calendars for February 8, 2026. The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, and it’s going to be the biggest broadcast of the year.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Dallas Cowboys Schedule
Since we know the Cowboys won't be on your screen today, let's talk about when they will be. The NFL has already finalized the opponents for the 2026 season based on the 2025 standings.
Dallas will play nine home games and eight away games next year.
Home Opponents at AT&T Stadium:
You'll see the usual NFC East rivals—Giants, Eagles, and Commanders. Beyond that, they’ll host the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away Opponents:
The road schedule looks brutal. They have to travel to face the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers, plus their three divisional road trips. There's also some chatter about a potential international game in Mexico City, which would be massive for the brand but might cost them a traditional home game.
Common Misconceptions About NFL Blackouts
Sometimes people think the game is "blacked out" when they can't find it. In 2026, the old-school blackout rules (where a game wasn't shown if it didn't sell out) are basically ancient history.
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If you can't find a game, it's usually one of three things:
- The game isn't on today (like today's Cowboys situation).
- It's a "regional" broadcast, and your local station is showing a different matchup.
- It's exclusive to a streaming service like Peacock, Amazon Prime, or ESPN+.
Actionable Next Steps for Cowboys Fans
While you can't watch the Cowboys today, you can get ready for the 2026 season.
Check the Draft Order: Since the Cowboys finished 7-9-1, they have a mid-round pick that could be a game-changer. Keep an eye on the scouting reports for offensive line depth.
Update Your Streaming Apps: If you struggled to find games this year, make sure you have the basics. Most NFL games move between FOX, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. For 2026, having a combination of a digital antenna for local channels and a subscription to a service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV covers about 95% of your bases.
Follow the Divisional Round: Even though Dallas is out, the winners of today's Rams-Bears and Texans-Patriots games will determine who moves on to the Conference Championships. If you want to scout the competition for next year, tuning into NBC or ESPN today is the move.
The quest for the next Dallas Cowboys game officially starts this spring with the draft and off-season workouts. Until then, grab a snack and enjoy the playoff football that is on the air today.