You're probably staring at your phone or flipping through the guide, wondering exactly what time is cowboys game this sunday so you can plan your wings and beer run. It’s a habit. Sunday and the Dallas Cowboys go together like Texas and brisket. But if you’re looking for a kickoff time for January 18, 2026, I’ve got some news that might make you want to throw your remote.
The Dallas Cowboys are not playing this Sunday.
Yeah, it stings. Honestly, it’s been a weird few weeks for the silver and blue. After a regular season that felt like a rollercoaster—complete with high-flying wins and some defensive collapses that left fans screaming at their TVs—the Cowboys officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4th. They finished the season with a 17-34 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. That game effectively shut the door on any postseason hopes for America’s Team.
Why the Schedule is Empty This Sunday
If you're seeing ticket listings or old calendar alerts for an "NFC Divisional Game" on January 18, you're looking at "phantom" schedules. Ticketmaster and other secondary markets often pre-list these dates for teams that are in the hunt, but since the Cowboys didn't clinch a spot, those events are officially canceled.
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Basically, the 2025 season was a "just missed it" situation. The NFC East was a mess, and despite Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb putting up some monster numbers throughout the year, the consistency just wasn't there. When they lost that Week 18 finale to the Giants, the season ended right then and there.
Instead of a Cowboys game, this Sunday’s NFL slate is dominated by the Divisional Round matchups. You’ve got the Houston Texans heading to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET, followed by the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET. It’s great football, sure, but it’s not the Star.
What Most Fans Are Getting Wrong About the 2026 Offseason
Now that the question of what time is cowboys game this sunday has been answered (with a big fat "never"), the conversation in Dallas has already shifted to "what now?"
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People are acting like the sky is falling, but the 2026 offseason calendar is actually pretty busy. According to team reports from Patrik Walker at DallasCowboys.com, the front office has already started signing futures contracts and looking toward the 2026 draft.
- The Coaching Carousel: Rumors are swirling about Brian Schottenheimer’s future. After the Week 18 blowout, the seat is more than a little warm.
- The 2026 Opponents: We already know who the Cowboys will play next year. They’ll be facing the NFC West and the AFC South. That means games against the Texans, Colts, Seahawks, and Rams are on the horizon.
- Free Agency: Key players are hitting the market. The front office has to decide if they’re going to blow it up or try one more "all-in" year.
It’s easy to get frustrated. You’ve probably spent every Sunday for the last four months centered around the TV. Having a blank Sunday in January feels like a personal snub from the football gods. But looking at the stats from the Giants game—where Joe Milton even got some reps at the end—it’s clear this team needs a breather and some serious retooling.
How to Handle a Cowboys-Free Sunday
Since there is no game, you've actually got about four hours of your life back. If you still need a football fix, the Divisional Round games are actually going to be incredible. Watching the Texans represent Texas in the playoffs might be a bitter pill for some Dallas fans to swallow, but C.J. Stroud is playing lights-out football.
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If you’re the type who can’t watch other teams play when the Cowboys are out, maybe it’s a good weekend to hit the East-West Shrine Bowl events in Frisco later this month or just start looking at mock drafts. The Cowboys are currently slated for a mid-round pick, and they desperately need help on the defensive interior.
Check your local listings for the Texans vs. Patriots game if you want to see how the other side of the state is doing. Otherwise, sleep in. The 2026 schedule won't even be released until mid-May, so we've got a long wait before those Sunday noon kickoffs return to AT&T Stadium.
Take a look at your team's salary cap situation on OverTheCap to see how much room Jerry Jones actually has to work with this spring. That will give you a much better idea of whether 2026 will be any different than the season we just watched.