If you’re a Cowboys fan, you’re probably still staring at the TV wondering how the 2025 season slipped away. That 7-9-1 finish? Ouch. Losing the finale to the Giants on January 4th was the sour cherry on top of a weird, inconsistent sundae. Now, everyone is asking who Dallas Cowboys play next, and while the physical games won't start until the 2026 preseason in August, we already know exactly which teams are on the hit list for the upcoming 17-game gauntlet.
It’s gonna be a long offseason in Frisco. Brian Schottenheimer and the front office have a mountain of work to do. But if you're trying to plan your fall travel or just want to know when the 49ers are coming back to AT&T Stadium to haunt your dreams again, the list is out.
The 2026 Opponents: Who Dallas Cowboys Play Next and Where
The NFL schedule makers aren't exactly giving Dallas a "get right" year. Because they finished in second place in the NFC East, they draw a second-place schedule. That sounds easier than a first-place schedule, but when you look at the names on this list, it’s basically a parade of playoff contenders.
Home Games at AT&T Stadium
Honestly, the home slate looks like a nightmare for any secondary. You’ve got the divisional rivals, obviously—Philly, Washington, and those Giants. But then it gets spicy.
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- San Francisco 49ers: Because it wouldn't be a Cowboys season without a high-stakes showdown against the Niners.
- Baltimore Ravens: Get ready for Lamar Jackson to sprint through the JerryWorld turf.
- Arizona Cardinals & Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two teams that are always a coin flip but usually play Dallas tough.
- Jacksonville Jaguars & Tennessee Titans: The AFC South comes to town.
The Road Warriors: Away Games
Traveling won't be much easier. The Cowboys have to head to some of the loudest stadiums in the league this year.
- Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Field in the winter? Classic.
- Houston Texans: The battle for Texas is officially back on the menu.
- Seattle Seahawks: If you thought the Giants loss was loud, wait until the 12th Man gets a crack at Dak.
- Indianapolis Colts & Los Angeles Rams: Two fast-turf teams that will test the Cowboys' speed.
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters More Than Usual
Look, the 2025 season was a mess. Ending with a losing record when you have the talent Dallas has is borderline criminal to most fans. Because of that 7-9-1 record, the pressure for the 2026 kickoff is going to be suffocating.
There’s a lot of talk about whether the roster stays the same. Dak Prescott is still the guy, but the supporting cast is under the microscope. When we look at who Dallas Cowboys play next, we aren't just looking at names; we’re looking at matchups. Can the offensive line hold up against the Baltimore pass rush? Can the defense stop the Rams' explosive play-calling?
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The NFL won’t release the exact dates and times until May—that’s the "Schedule Release" spectacle we all watch. But we know the 17 opponents. We know nine of these games will be at home this year because the NFC gets the extra home game in the 2026 rotation.
Breaking Down the Key Matchups
The game everyone is circling is the Houston Texans. It's not just a regional rivalry. Both teams are at weird crossroads, and the "Governor’s Cup" vibes will be at an all-time high. Then there's the 49ers game. It feels like Dallas has been trying to climb that San Francisco mountain for five years now.
NFC East Chaos
You can't talk about who Dallas Cowboys play next without acknowledging the divisional bloodbath. The Eagles didn't exactly fall off a cliff, and the Commanders are becoming a real problem with their young roster. Playing those three teams twice each accounts for six games, and honestly, those are usually the ones that decide if Dallas makes the playoffs or spends January on the couch.
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The AFC South Factor
Facing the AFC South (Jags, Titans, Texans, Colts) is usually seen as a "softer" part of the schedule, but that’s not really true anymore. The Texans are legit. The Colts have a defense that can ruin your Sunday. Dallas needs to sweep at least three of these four if they want to sniff 10 wins.
What Fans Should Do Now
Since the actual games don't start for months, the "next" thing for the Cowboys isn't a kickoff—it's the NFL Draft and Free Agency.
- Watch the Cap Space: Dallas has some tough decisions with veteran contracts.
- The Draft in April: They need depth in the trenches. If they don't fix the run defense, it won't matter who they play next; they'll get ran over.
- The Schedule Release: Keep an eye out in mid-May. That’s when we’ll find out which of these games are Sunday Night Football headliners and which are 1:00 PM snoozers.
The road back to the postseason starts with knowing the enemy. The 2026 opponents are set, the home/away splits are confirmed, and now we just wait for the first whistle of the preseason.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Mark your calendar for the 2026 NFL Schedule Release in mid-May to get specific dates for the 49ers and Texans games.
- Check the official Cowboys ticket portal in late May if you're planning to attend the nine home games at AT&T Stadium, as high-profile matchups like Baltimore and San Francisco will sell out instantly.
- Follow the NFL Draft (April 23-25, 2026) to see how the team addresses the defensive gaps exposed during the 2025 season finish.