You're probably staring at your TV schedule, refreshing sports apps, or maybe even double-checking your calendar. If you're looking for the answer to who do the cowboys play tonight, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the honest truth is: nobody.
The Dallas Cowboys are not playing tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing with some massive matchups, "America's Team" is officially watching from the couch this year.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans in North Texas. Honestly, after the roller coaster that was the 2025 season, seeing the Cowboys absent from the playoff bracket feels both frustrating and, if we're being real, somewhat expected given how the final weeks shook out.
Who is actually playing tonight instead of Dallas?
Even though the Cowboys aren't taking the field, the NFL hasn't stopped. Tonight features two high-stakes Divisional Round games that are basically must-watch TV for any football junkie.
First up, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the Denver Broncos are hosting the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High. This is a clash between two of the AFC's powerhouses. Later tonight, at 8:00 p.m. ET, it’s an NFC West showdown as the San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Seattle Seahawks.
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- Game 1: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+)
- Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
If you were hoping to see Dak Prescott or CeeDee Lamb tonight, you’ll have to settle for watching Geno Smith and Brock Purdy battle it out for a spot in the NFC Championship.
Why aren't the Cowboys in the playoffs?
So, how did we get here? How did a team with this much talent end up missing the postseason?
The Cowboys finished their 2025 campaign with a disappointing 7-9-1 record. They actually ended the year on a sour note, losing 34-17 to the New York Giants on January 4th. That loss was pretty much the final nail in the coffin.
A Season of Highs and Tragic Lows
It wasn't all bad, which makes the absence tonight feel even weirder. The offense actually found a rhythm mid-season. Dak Prescott looked like his old self for stretches, and the addition of George Pickens gave the receiving corps a massive boost. Pickens and kicker Brandon Aubrey even earned Second-team All-Pro honors.
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But the season was defined by more than just football. The tragic passing of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in November cast a long shadow over the facility. While Brian Schottenheimer—in his first year as head coach—did a remarkable job keeping the locker room together through that grief, the on-field consistency just wasn't there.
Defensive Struggles
The defense was, frankly, a mess for large chunks of the year. Despite trading for Quinnen Williams to beef up the interior, the secondary often looked lost. When you give up 511 points over a season, it’s hard to win games, no matter how many 40-yard field goals Brandon Aubrey nails.
What's next for the Cowboys?
Since they aren't playing tonight, the front office is already deep into "offseason mode." Jerry Jones and the staff are looking at a 2026 schedule that has already been finalized, even if the exact dates aren't set yet.
Next season, the Cowboys will face a grueling lineup. They have home games against the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, plus their usual NFC East rivals. On the road, they’ll have to travel to places like Green Bay and Houston. There are even rumors circulating about a potential international game in Mexico for 2026, though nothing is official just yet.
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Key Dates for Fans to Watch
- January 27, 2026: East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco (right in the Cowboys' backyard).
- February 23, 2026: NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis.
- March 11, 2026: The official start of the new league year and free agency.
Basically, the "Cowboys play tonight" search is going to stay empty until the preseason rolls around in August.
If you still need a football fix tonight, I’d suggest tuning into that Niners-Seahawks game. Seattle finished the season at 14-3 and looks like a legitimate Super Bowl favorite. Watching them might give Cowboys fans a glimpse of the level Dallas needs to reach if they want to be playing on this Saturday next year.
Next Steps for Cowboys Fans:
Stop checking the TV guide for tonight and start looking toward the NFL Draft. With the season over, the focus shifts entirely to how the team can fix a defense that allowed way too many big plays in 2025. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl on January 31st to see which defensive prospects might be heading to Arlington.