If you just woke up and started frantically searching for what channel the cowboys game on today, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s the kind of news that Dallas fans have grown far too accustomed to over the last few decades.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. It is Divisional Round weekend in the NFL playoffs. But here is the cold, hard reality: there is no Dallas Cowboys game on the schedule today.
Basically, the Cowboys’ season ended two weeks ago. After a rollercoaster 2025 regular season that saw Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy fighting for their playoff lives, the team officially missed out on the postseason bracket. While the NFL world focuses on the massive matchups happening today in Denver and Seattle, the star on the helmet has already been put into storage for the winter.
It sucks. I know. But if you’re a football fan, there is still plenty of high-stakes action to catch today, even if Jerry Jones' squad isn't part of it.
The NFL Playoff Schedule for Saturday, January 17, 2026
Since the Cowboys aren't playing, you might be wondering who actually is taking the field. The NFL Divisional Round kicks off today with two massive games that will decide who moves one step closer to the Super Bowl.
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First up, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the Buffalo Bills are heading into the thin air of Colorado to face the Denver Broncos. You can catch this one on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, you’ll find it streaming live on Paramount+. It’s a fascinating matchup because Denver has been a surprise powerhouse this year, and Josh Allen is, well, Josh Allen.
Once that game wraps up, the nightcap starts at 8 p.m. ET. It’s an NFC West rivalry bloodbath between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. This game is airing on FOX. For the streamers out there, the FOX Sports App or the newly launched FOX One service will be your best bet.
Why You Can't Find the Cowboys Today
It’s easy to get confused with the dates, especially since "America's Team" is usually such a fixture of the January conversation. Kinda makes you miss the days when a playoff berth felt like a given, right?
The Cowboys finished their 2025 campaign with a disappointing loss to the New York Giants on January 4th. That Week 18 defeat was the final nail in the coffin. While teams like the Eagles and the Commanders (who Dallas actually beat on Christmas Day) managed to make noise in the NFC, the Cowboys found themselves on the outside looking in.
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If you are looking for what channel the cowboys game on today because you saw a headline about them, it was likely regarding the 55th anniversary of Super Bowl V. Today marks exactly 55 years since the "Blunder Bowl," where the Baltimore Colts beat Dallas 16-13 back in 1971. It’s a bit of history nobody really wants to celebrate, but it’s been making the rounds on social media this morning.
How to Watch the NFL Playoffs Without Cable
Even though Dallas isn't playing, today's games are arguably the best of the year. If you don't have a traditional cable box, you've still got a ton of ways to watch the Bills-Broncos and 49ers-Seahawks games.
- FuboTV: This is usually the go-to for sports fans because it carries CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. They usually offer a free trial if you're just looking to get through this weekend.
- YouTube TV: Still one of the most reliable ways to get local channels. It’ll have both CBS and FOX for today's double-header.
- Hulu + Live TV: Another solid choice that includes the major networks.
- Paramount+: Specifically for the 4:30 p.m. Bills game.
- Sling TV: You can get FOX in certain markets with Sling Blue, but you'll miss out on the CBS game since they don't carry it.
Honestly, if you have a cheap digital antenna, you can probably pick up both games for free over the air. It’s old school, but it works perfectly for the playoffs.
Looking Ahead: When Will the Cowboys Play Again?
The wait for the next Cowboys game is going to be a long one. Since they missed the playoffs, we won't see them back on the field until the 2026 preseason starts in August.
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The 2026 opponents are already set, though. We know the Cowboys will have to face some heavy hitters next year, including the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and the San Francisco 49ers. They’ll also have their usual home-and-away series with the Eagles, Giants, and Commanders.
There's going to be a lot of talk this offseason about the coaching staff and whether Dak Prescott is still the "guy" for the long-term future in Arlington. Expect the rumor mill to start spinning faster than a Micah Parsons pass rush by the time the Super Bowl ends in February.
What to Do This Afternoon Instead
Since you don't have to stress about a Cowboys game, you've actually got a pretty free Saturday. Here’s a quick roadmap for how to handle the "Cowboy-less" Divisional Round:
- Check your local listings for CBS at 4:30 p.m. ET. Even if you don't care about the Bills or Broncos, playoff football at Mile High Stadium is always a vibe.
- Fire up the grill anyway. Just because the Cowboys aren't on doesn't mean you can't have wings and sliders.
- Watch the 49ers vs. Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET. These two teams hate each other, and it's a great chance to scout the competition for next season.
- Ignore your Eagles-fan friends. They’ll probably be texting you. Just put the phone on "Do Not Disturb" and enjoy the games as a neutral observer.
The hunt for what channel the cowboys game on today ends here, mostly because the hunt for a sixth Lombardi Trophy has been postponed yet again. It's a bummer, but that's the life of a Cowboys fan in the 2020s.
Next Steps for Today:
Turn your attention to the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos game on CBS at 4:30 p.m. ET. If you’re using a streaming device, ensure your Paramount+ or YouTube TV login is active at least 15 minutes before kickoff to avoid any last-minute technical glitches.