If you woke up today, Friday, January 16, 2026, wondering what time does dallas play football today, I’ve got the answer for you, but it might not be the one you were hoping to hear.
The short answer? They don’t.
Honestly, the Dallas Cowboys are currently at home, and not because they have a bye week. Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up on January 4, 2026, following a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. That game left them with a final record of 7-9-1.
While the NFL Divisional Playoffs are kicking off this weekend, the star won't be on the field. It's a tough pill to swallow for Cowboys fans who are used to the "America's Team" hype leading into January.
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What Time Does Dallas Play Football Today and Why Aren't They in the Playoffs?
People are searching for the Dallas game time because, let’s face it, usually, if it's mid-January, we're talking about playoff brackets. But the NFL schedule for today, Friday, is actually empty for everyone. The league typically reserves Friday for travel and media before the Saturday/Sunday Divisional round frenzy.
If you’re looking for football to watch, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. The Divisional Round starts Saturday, January 17. The 2026 playoff matchups look like this:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS).
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX).
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC).
Dallas finished second in the NFC East this year. Under Brian Schottenheimer, the team showed flashes of brilliance—like that week 15 win—but the inconsistency was basically their undoing. They missed the Wild Card cut, meaning today is just another day of offseason speculation in Frisco.
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Why the Confusion About Today's Game?
Sometimes the search results get kinda messy. You might see "Dallas" playing today and think it's the Cowboys, but often it's the Dallas Mavericks. In fact, the Mavs are taking on the Utah Jazz tomorrow, January 17, at 5:00 p.m. EST. If you're a multi-sport fan, that's your local fix for the weekend.
Also, college football schedules or high school playoff re-runs can sometimes trigger these "what time" searches. But for the NFL Cowboys, the lights at AT&T Stadium are dark today.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Dallas Cowboys Schedule
Since we know what time does dallas play football today (which is never), the real focus has already shifted to the 2026-2027 season. The NFL has already finalized the opponents for next year. While we don't have the exact kickoff times yet—those usually drop in May—we know who they’re playing and where.
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The 2026 road is looking rough. Because they finished second in the division, they have a "second-place schedule," but that includes a rotating crossover with the NFC West and AFC South.
2026 Home Opponents
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2026 Away Opponents
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Green Bay Packers
Eight of those teams made the playoffs this year. That’s a brutal gauntlet. You've got to wonder how the front office plans to handle the roster after the 7-9-1 finish. The draft is going to be pivotal.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans Today
Since there is no game on the clock, here is how you can stay updated on the team's moves:
- Track the Pro Bowl: Rookie tight end Tyler Warren was just named to the 2026 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Brock Bowers. The Pro Bowl Games happen February 3 in San Francisco.
- Monitor Free Agency: Official signings for the 2026 season can start as early as the first week of February.
- Draft Position: Keep an eye on the mock drafts. Dallas will likely be looking at defensive line depth or perhaps a fresh look at the backfield, given the lack of explosive run plays in the season finale.
So, while the answer to what time does dallas play football today is that the season is over, the 2026 cycle is already spinning. Grab some wings, watch the Bills and Broncos tomorrow, and start prepping for the draft. The wait for the 2026 kickoff begins now.