The dust has barely settled on a wild 2025 season that left fans in Dallas more than a little frustrated. Honestly, a 7-9-1 record wasn't exactly what Jerry Jones had in mind when he kept the core together for one more run. But the NFL wait for no one. If you're wondering who do the dallas cowboys play next, the answer is already carved in stone by the league’s scheduling formula.
It's actually kinda funny how people think the schedule is some secret meeting behind closed doors. It’s basically math. Since the 2025 regular season wrapped up with that Week 18 loss to the Giants, we know exactly which 17 teams will be lining up across from the Star in 2026.
The 2026 Home Slate: Heavy Hitters at AT&T Stadium
The Cowboys are actually scheduled for nine home games in 2026 because of the AFC/NFC rotation. But hold your horses on booking those flights to Arlington just yet. There’s a very real chance one of these "home" games ends up being an international trip to Mexico City. Jerry has basically been begging for it.
Here is the breakdown of who is coming to town:
- The NFC East Trio: You’ve got the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders. These are the guarantees.
- The AFC South Visitors: The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans will be making the trip to North Texas.
- The NFC West Powerhouses: Both the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are on the home docket.
- The "Place-Finish" Matchups: Because the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East, they have to play the second-place finishers from the divisions they aren't already fully paired with. This brings the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to AT&T Stadium.
The Baltimore game is the one everyone is already circling. Lamar Jackson in Jerry World is always a circus, and after the Cowboys' defense struggled against mobile quarterbacks last year, that's a terrifying matchup on paper.
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Taking the Show on the Road: 2026 Away Games
If the home schedule looks tough, the road trip list is a gauntlet. The Cowboys have to travel to some of the loudest stadiums in the league this time around.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Expect batteries, boos, and a lot of green.
- Washington Commanders: A shorter trip, but usually a weirdly competitive one.
- New York Giants: MetLife Stadium hasn't been kind lately.
- Green Bay Packers: Yes, another trip to Lambeau. It feels like they play there every single year, doesn't it?
- Houston Texans: The battle for Texas is officially back on the schedule. This one is going to be massive for local bragging rights.
- Indianapolis Colts: A rare trip to the AFC South's indoor haunt.
- Seattle Seahawks: The "12th Man" is no joke.
- Los Angeles Rams: Usually, this feels like a home game for Dallas because of the massive fan base in Cali, but SoFi is still a trek.
Why the 17th Game Matters
The 17th game is always the weird one. It’s an inter-conference matchup based on the previous year's standings. For 2026, the NFC East is paired with the AFC North for this "extra" game. Since Dallas finished second in their division behind Philly, they get the second-place team from the AFC North.
That’s how we ended up with the Ravens. It’s a brutal "reward" for finishing second. If they had finished third, they might be looking at the Bengals or Browns instead.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About the Schedule
People always ask me, "When do we find out when the games are?"
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There is a huge difference between who they play and when they play. We won't get the actual calendar—the specific dates and kickoff times—until mid-May 2026. That’s when the NFL does its big primetime schedule release show.
Another misconception? Thinking the schedule is "unfair." It’s actually incredibly rigid.
- 6 games against your division.
- 4 games against a rotating division in your conference (NFC West in 2026).
- 4 games against a rotating division in the other conference (AFC South in 2026).
- 2 games against same-place finishers in the remaining conference divisions (NFC North and NFC South).
- 1 rotating inter-conference game (AFC North).
Basically, the NFL wants the best teams to play the best teams. Because Dallas usually hovers around the top of the division, they rarely get a "cake" schedule.
Key Matchups to Watch
The 49ers game is becoming a bit of a psychological hurdle for this franchise. It doesn't matter if it's the playoffs or a random Tuesday in October—the Niners seem to have the Cowboys' number. Seeing them back on the home schedule for 2026 is either a chance for redemption or another weekend of high blood pressure for fans.
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Then you have the Houston Texans. With CJ Stroud turning that team into a legitimate AFC contender, the "Governor’s Cup" feel of that game is going to be through the roof. It’s not just a game; it’s a fight for who actually "owns" the state of Texas.
Preparing for the 2026 Season
Looking at who do the dallas cowboys play, it’s clear the front office has work to do. The 2025 season saw the Cowboys finish dead last in the league in points allowed (30.1 per game). You can’t go into a season playing the Ravens, 49ers, and Eagles with a defense that leaks points like a sieve.
Brian Schottenheimer, who took over the reins during the 2025 campaign, will have his first full offseason to reshape this roster to match these specific opponents.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the Draft: Since Dallas is picking mid-round (around 12th-15th depending on tiebreakers), look for them to target interior defensive linemen who can handle the run-heavy schemes of the AFC South and NFC West.
- Watch the International News: Keep an eye on NFL announcements in March. If the Mexico City game is confirmed, the Arizona Cardinals are the rumored opponent.
- Ticket Strategy: Don't buy "pre-sale" tickets from secondary markets yet. Wait for the May schedule release to see which games are actually home versus neutral site.
The 2026 road is long, and the list of names is daunting. But that’s just life in the NFL when you're the most talked-about team in the world.