If you’re refreshing your sports apps and frantically searching for when do dallas cowboys play this weekend, I have some bad news that’s going to sting a bit. You won’t find them. Not on Saturday. Not on Sunday. Honestly, not until September rolls around and the 2026 season officially kicks off.
It feels weird, right? Usually, mid-January is when the "America’s Team" hype is reaching a fever pitch—or a breaking point. But this year, the lights at AT&T Stadium are dim. The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is happening right now, January 17-18, 2026, and the Cowboys are notably absent from the bracket.
The Reality of the Cowboys’ Postseason Absence
Basically, the Dallas Cowboys finished their 2025 campaign with a 7-9-1 record. That’s not a typo. That tie against the Eagles earlier in the season really mucked things up. They officially wrapped up their year on January 4, 2026, with a season finale against the New York Giants. While they managed to secure a win in that game, it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap in a surprisingly competitive NFC East.
While teams like the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams are currently battling it out in the Divisional Round, the Cowboys are already deep into "next year" mode.
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It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that expects a deep run every single year. You’ve probably seen the highlights of the Seahawks hosting the 49ers or the Bears taking on the Rams this weekend. That was supposed to be Dallas. Instead, the locker rooms are being cleaned out, and the front office is looking at a very long off-season.
What Happened to the 2025 Season?
Expectations were, as they always are, sky-high. Dak Prescott had some massive games—including a 361-yard performance against the Giants early on—but the consistency just wasn't there. The defense, which had been the backbone of the team for a couple of seasons, struggled under the weight of injuries and some tactical shifts that just didn't pan out.
By the time December hit, the writing was on the wall. A couple of heartbreaking losses in the final weeks, specifically against Minnesota and Los Angeles, sealed their fate. They weren't just out of the division race; they were boxed out of the Wild Card spots by a surging Rams team and a 49ers squad that found its rhythm at exactly the right time.
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Key Moments That Defined the Season:
- The Week 2 overtime thriller against the Giants that gave Brian Schottenheimer his first win as head coach.
- A mid-season slump that saw the defense give up over 30 points in three consecutive games.
- The late-season victory over Washington on Christmas Day that gave fans a flicker of hope that was quickly extinguished a week later.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule and Opponents
Since the Cowboys aren't playing this weekend, the only thing left to do is look at who they will play when they return. The NFL’s scheduling algorithm is already set for 2026, even if we don’t have the exact dates and times yet.
Dallas is slated for a brutal schedule next year. Because they finished second in the NFC East, they’ll be facing a gauntlet of playoff-caliber teams. We’re talking about matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and the Houston Texans. The "Battle of Texas" is always a circus, but with both teams heading in different directions lately, that one is going to be circled on everyone's calendar.
They’ll also have nine home games at AT&T Stadium this year, which is a small consolation for missing the playoffs. But, keep in mind, there's always the possibility that one of those "home" games gets moved to an international site like London or Germany.
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Confirmed 2026 Opponents:
- Home: Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Cardinals, 49ers, Jaguars, Titans, Buccaneers, Ravens.
- Away: Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Rams, Seahawks, Texans, Colts, Packers.
Why This Weekend’s Games Still Matter for Dallas
Even though you aren't watching a Cowboys game this weekend, the outcomes of these Divisional Playoff games will dictate the draft order and the general landscape of the NFC.
The 49ers and Seahawks are the big dogs right now. If San Francisco continues to dominate, it puts more pressure on Jerry Jones to make a "splash" move in free agency or the draft. The Cowboys are currently projected to pick in the middle of the first round—somewhere around the 14th or 15th spot. That’s a prime position to snag a high-end defensive tackle or a speedy linebacker, both of which were glaring needs this past season.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans This Offseason
Since you can't watch the game, here is how you can actually spend your weekend and the coming months if you’re a die-hard:
- Track the Coaching Changes: The Cowboys are expected to make significant changes to the defensive staff. Keep an eye on the official team announcements regarding the replacement for the defensive coordinator position.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: It happens in late January. This is where the Cowboys’ scouts do their best work. Look for offensive line talent, as the unit is aging and needs a youth infusion.
- Audit the Salary Cap: Dallas has some tough decisions to make with veteran contracts. Check out sites like OverTheCap to see how much "Jerry World" money is actually available for free agency in March.
- Monitor the NFC East: Watch how the Eagles and Commanders handle their off-seasons. The division is wide open for 2026, and the arms race starts the second the Super Bowl ends on February 8.
The Cowboys will be back on the field for training camp in July. Until then, grab a cold drink, watch the teams that actually made the cut this weekend, and start scouting the college kids. The road to 2026 starts now.
Next Steps for You: Prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft by reviewing the current top-20 big boards from scouts like Dane Brugler. Since the Cowboys are picking in the mid-teens, focus on defensive interior prospects and secondary depth to address the gaps that led to this year's playoff absence.