You’ve got the chips, the jersey is probably on, and you’re frantically scrolling to find out what time is the cowboys game today on tv. I’ve been there. But here is the cold, hard truth that might sting a little: If you are looking for a Dallas Cowboys game today, Friday, January 16, 2026, you aren't going to find one.
The Cowboys are officially in "wait until next year" mode.
After a rollercoaster 2025 season that saw them finish with a 7-9-1 record—ending with a thud in a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants on January 4th—America’s Team did not make the cut for the 2026 NFL Playoffs. While the rest of the league is gearing up for the Divisional Round this weekend, the locker rooms at The Star in Frisco are quiet.
What Time Is The Cowboys Game Today On TV? (The Real Answer)
Technically, the answer is never. Or at least, not today. Since it is Friday, and the Cowboys' season ended nearly two weeks ago, there is no live broadcast scheduled.
The NFL Divisional Round doesn't even start until tomorrow, Saturday, January 17th. Even then, the Cowboys won't be on the field. They finished second in the NFC East, which sounds decent until you realize the gap between them and the playoff-bound teams was wider than a Texas highway.
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If you're seeing "Cowboys" in your TV guide today, it’s almost certainly a replay on NFL Network or a local sports talk show dissecting what went wrong. Honestly, watching a replay of that Week 18 loss to the Giants is probably the last thing any sane fan wants to do on a Friday afternoon.
Who is playing this weekend instead?
Since you've already got the TV remote in your hand, you might as well see who actually made it. The Divisional Round schedule is set, and it’s looking pretty intense.
- 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).
It’s a bit of a gut punch to see the 49ers and Packers (who beat Dallas earlier in the year) still in the hunt while Dak Prescott and company are presumably hitting the golf course.
Why the Cowboys aren't playing today
People are still asking about what time is the cowboys game today on tv because, frankly, we’re used to them being in the mix. But 2025 was weird. That 40-40 tie against the Green Bay Packers in September? That was the beginning of the "what is happening?" era for this roster.
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The team struggled with consistency. One week they’re beating the Chiefs on Thanksgiving in a 31-28 thriller, and the next they’re getting blown out by the Lions. By the time January 4th rolled around, the math just didn't work in their favor. They needed a win against New York and a whole lot of help from other teams that never materialized.
The Dak and Mike Situation
There is a lot of noise right now about Mike McCarthy’s future. Finishing under .500 is never a good look in Dallas. Fans are divided. Half the city wants a total rebuild, and the other half thinks they’re just one "elite" linebacker away from a Super Bowl run.
This is usually why the search volume for the game time stays high even after the season ends. Fans are either hoping for a miracle game they missed or they’re looking for the post-season press conferences which, let's be real, are often more dramatic than the games themselves.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since there is no game today, the next best thing is looking at who they’ll be playing in the 2026 regular season. The NFL has already finalized the home and away opponents based on the 2025 standings.
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Home Games at AT&T Stadium:
You'll see the usual NFC East rivals: the Eagles, Giants, and Commanders. But the 2026 slate also brings the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the San Francisco 49ers to Arlington. That 49ers game is already being circled by everyone as a "revenge" match, even though the rivalry has felt a bit one-sided lately.
Away Games:
The road trip list is brutal. They have to head to Seattle to face the top-seeded Seahawks and make a trip to Lambeau Field to see the Packers again. Plus, a "Battle of Texas" against the Houston Texans is on the books.
What most people get wrong about the off-season
A lot of folks think the "game" is over just because the pads are off. In Dallas, the off-season is the game. Between the scouting combine in February and the draft in April, the news cycle doesn't stop.
If you are genuinely looking for Cowboys content on TV today, check the local Dallas channels like NBC 5 or WFAA. They usually run "Cowboys Blue and Silver" specials or deep-dive reports on draft prospects this time of year. Just don't expect to see a kickoff.
Actionable steps for the displaced Cowboys fan
- Check your DVR: If you really need a fix, look for the Thanksgiving game against the Chiefs. It was arguably their best performance of the year.
- Mourn the Playoffs: Pick a "rental" team for the weekend. The Texans are the logical choice for Texans who want to keep the trophy in the state, but watching the 49ers lose is also a valid way to spend your Sunday.
- Update your Calendar: The 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23rd. That is the next "big event" where the Cowboys can actually win something.
- Stop searching for today's time: Save your battery. The next time you'll need to know what time is the cowboys game today on tv for a live, meaningful game will be in August 2026 for the preseason.
It's a long wait until September. Use this Friday to do something else—maybe something that doesn't involve your heart rate hitting 110 BPM because of a missed holding call.