So, you’re looking for the remote because you need to know what channel is the dallas cowboys game on tonight. I get it. The routine is ingrained in us: snacks prepped, jersey on, and the desperate hope that this is finally "the year." But if you’re staring at the TV guide for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and seeing a whole lot of nothing where the Star should be, there’s a reason for that.
The Dallas Cowboys are not playing a game tonight.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who followed the roller coaster of the 2025-2026 season. The regular season wrapped up just over a week ago on January 4, 2026, and for Dallas, the road ended in East Rutherford with a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. That loss left the Cowboys with a 7-9-1 record. While that might fly in some years, in this year’s competitive NFC, it wasn't enough to secure a Wild Card spot.
What Channel Is The Dallas Cowboys Game On Tonight (and Why the Schedule is Empty)
If you were expecting a midweek playoff game, the NFL doesn't really do those. Even if Dallas had made the postseason, the "Super Wild Card Weekend" games were played this past Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (January 10–12). The league keeps the midweek clear for recovery and practice.
Because the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East—behind the Philadelphia Eagles but ahead of the Giants and Commanders—they were officially eliminated from playoff contention once the Wild Card seeds were finalized. While teams like the Rams, Bears, and 49ers are moving on to the Divisional Round this coming weekend, Jerry Jones and company are already looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
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It's a weird feeling. Usually, by mid-January, we're either celebrating a rare playoff win or dissecting a heartbreaking collapse. This year, the silence is a bit louder because the season just... fizzled.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Season Finale
To understand why there's no game to watch, you have to look at how that final Week 18 matchup went down. It was a 1:00 PM kickoff on FOX. Dallas needed a win and a lot of help to stay alive. Instead, they got a faceful of Jaxson Dart and a Giants team that seemed to play with more heart despite their own struggling record.
The game stats tell a depressing story for Cowboys fans:
- Dak Prescott struggled, going 7 for 11 for only 70 yards before leaving the game.
- Joe Milton stepped in but threw a costly interception that basically sealed the deal.
- Brandon Aubrey, the lone bright spot as usual, nailed his field goals, but you can’t win games on 3-pointers alone.
When the clock hit zero at MetLife Stadium, the 2025 campaign officially moved into the history books.
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Where to Watch NFL Playoff Action Instead
Just because America's Team isn't on the field doesn't mean football is over. If you're still asking what channel is the dallas cowboys game on tonight because you're looking for any football fix, you’ll have to wait until the weekend.
The NFL Divisional Round starts Saturday, January 17. Here is who is playing while the Cowboys are at home:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS/Paramount+)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock)
It’s a bit of a sting seeing the Texans—the "other" Texas team—moving deep into the postseason while Dallas is watching from the couch. The Texans effectively handled the Steelers 30-6 on Monday night, proving that the balance of power in the Lone Star State might be shifting.
How to Catch Cowboys News During the Offseason
Since you can't find the game on TV, your best bet for a Cowboys fix is through the team's digital channels. They are pretty active on the Dallas Cowboys Official App and DallasCowboys.com. This is where they’ll start posting those "look ahead" videos and exit interviews that we all watch while pretending we aren't frustrated.
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If you’re a cord-cutter, you probably used NFL+ or YouTube TV this season. Keep those subscriptions active if you want to watch the scouting combine or the draft, but for live Cowboys games, your next opportunity won't be until the 2026 preseason in August.
What's Next for the Cowboys?
The focus has already shifted to 2026 opponents. We already know who Dallas will face next season, even if the dates aren't set yet. They’ll be playing the AFC South and the NFC West. That means big games against the Houston Texans (the battle for Texas), the Indianapolis Colts, and the Seattle Seahawks.
They also have a heavy "away" schedule next year, traveling to places like SoFi Stadium to take on the Rams and heading back to the nightmare that is Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Stop searching for tonight's channel: There is no NFL game on Wednesday night.
- Mark your calendar for the Divisional Round: If you love the sport, Saturday is your next live-action window.
- Audit your streaming services: If you only kept Peacock or Paramount+ to watch the Cowboys, and you don't care about the other teams, you might want to pause those subscriptions until August to save a few bucks.
- Follow the Draft Order: Dallas is expected to have a mid-round pick. Keep an eye on "Mock Draft" boards starting next week to see who might be the next savior in Big D.
The season didn't end with a Super Bowl ring, but that’s the life of a Cowboys fan. We'll be back here in seven months asking the same questions.