You wake up, grab your coffee, and the first thing on your mind is the Star. It's Sunday, January 18, 2026. You're scrolling through your phone, looking for the kickoff time, ready to see Dak and CeeDee take the field for a Divisional Round showdown. But when you look at the TV guide, something feels off.
What time and channel do the cowboys play today? Honestly, the answer isn't what most fans want to hear this morning. If you’re looking for a Dallas Cowboys game today, you won’t find one. The Cowboys are not playing today, January 18, 2026. Their 2025-2026 season officially hit a wall back on January 4th in a disappointing 34-17 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
That loss didn't just sting; it slammed the door shut. Dallas finished the year with a 7-9-1 record. No playoffs. No Divisional Round. No "this is our year" magic left in the tank for 2026.
The NFL Schedule Today (Without Dallas)
Even though America's Team is watching from the couch like the rest of us, there is massive playoff football happening right now. We are deep into the Divisional Round. While the Cowboys locker room is likely being cleaned out in Frisco, four other teams are fighting for a spot in the Conference Championships.
If you still have that itch to watch high-stakes football, here is who actually owns the screen today:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This AFC clash is currently underway or just wrapped up, having kicked off at 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT) on ABC and ESPN.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot. You can catch this NFC battle at 6:30 PM ET (5:30 PM CT) on NBC and Peacock.
It’s a weird feeling seeing the Bears and Rams fight for the NFC title path while the Cowboys are already looking at mock drafts. Most people expected more after that mid-season spark, but the consistency just wasn't there.
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Why Aren't the Cowboys Playing Today?
Basically, it comes down to a brutal December and a January collapse. After a 30-23 win over the Commanders on Christmas Day, things looked hopeful. But the Week 18 finale against the Giants was a disaster. Dallas needed a win to keep their slim hopes alive, but instead, they fell to a 4-13 Giants team that had nothing to play for but pride.
Dak Prescott didn't even finish that game under center; we saw Trey Lance and Joe Milton III getting snaps as the game got out of hand. Finishing 7-9-1 in a division where the Eagles and Commanders both made strides is a tough pill to swallow.
Looking Ahead: The 2026-2027 Schedule
Since you can't watch them today, you're probably wondering when you can see them again. The NFL has already released the list of opponents for the 2026 season. While the exact dates and times won't be out until the schedule release in May, we know the "where" and the "who."
Dallas is set to face the AFC South and the NFC West next year. That means some heavy hitters are coming to AT&T Stadium.
Home Games at AT&T Stadium:
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- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
Away Games:
- Houston Texans (The Battle of Texas!)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Green Bay Packers
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
That road trip to Green Bay is already giving fans 2014 vibes. And playing the 49ers at home? That’s going to be a litmus test for whatever coaching changes might happen this offseason.
Where to Get Your Cowboys Fix Today
Since there’s no live game, most fans are heading to the local sports bars in Plano or Arlington to argue about the draft. If you’re looking for Dallas-related content today, the "The Draft Show" on DallasCowboys.com is usually the best place to start. They’ve already shifted gears to the Scouting Combine and senior bowl evaluations.
You can also find re-broadcasts of the 2025 season highlights on the NFL Network, but watching those might just feel like salt in the wound right now.
What Really Happened with the 2025 Season?
Experts like Bryan Broaddus and the crew over at The Athletic have pointed to the run defense as the primary culprit. Dallas just couldn't stop the "bread and butter" plays in the final month. When you give up 150+ rushing yards to a struggling Giants team, you don't deserve to be playing on January 18th.
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There's also the contract talk. The looming questions around the roster's future meant there was a lot of "noise" in the building. It’s hard to focus on a playoff push when half the starters are wondering where they’ll be living in March.
Summary of the Day
To recap the "what time and channel do the cowboys play today" question: They don't. The NFL playoffs are moving on without them.
- The Game You’re Looking For: Does not exist today.
- The Actual Games: Texans/Patriots (3 PM ET, ABC) and Rams/Bears (6:30 PM ET, NBC).
- The Next Step: Wait for the NFL Draft in April to see how the front office fixes the defense.
Keep an eye on the coaching staff. Rumors are already swirling about potential changes in Frisco. If you're a die-hard, the best thing to do today is watch the Rams and Bears and scout the competition for next year.
Actionable Insight: Go ahead and clear your Sunday schedule. Use this afternoon to check out the early 2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings, specifically focusing on interior defensive linemen and offensive tackle depth, as those are the projected "must-haves" for the Cowboys this spring.