Look, I get it. You woke up today, January 13, 2026, craving some Dallas Cowboys football. Maybe you’re checking the guide, flipping through FOX or CBS, wondering what channel Cowboys play on today, but the screen is just showing talk shows or local news.
The honest truth? The Cowboys aren't playing today. In fact, their season is officially over.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for America’s Team, especially after the high hopes that always seem to surround Jerry World. After a grueling 2025 regular season that wrapped up on January 4, 2026, the Cowboys found themselves on the outside looking in. They finished with a 7-9-1 record—that tie against the Giants earlier in the year really stung—and missed the Wild Card cut. While the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing with the Divisional Round right around the corner, Dallas is already in "wait until next year" mode.
The Reality of the 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule
If you're searching for what channel Cowboys play on today, you’re likely seeing schedule updates for other teams. We just finished Wild Card Weekend. Yesterday, January 12, the Houston Texans dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers on ESPN and ABC to close out the first round.
Right now, the league is in a brief mid-week breather before the Divisional Round kicks off this Saturday. Since the Cowboys didn't qualify, their helmets are in the lockers and the coaching staff is likely deep into film sessions for the 2026 NFL Draft.
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If you just want to watch any football this weekend to fill the void, here is who actually owns the airwaves:
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills take on the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks clash at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Texans face the Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC, followed by the Rams vs. Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Why the Cowboys Missed the Cut This Time
It wasn't just one thing. Football is rarely that simple. The Cowboys’ season ended with a thud in Week 18 against the New York Giants. They lost 34-17 at MetLife Stadium.
Dak Prescott and the offense struggled to find a rhythm late in the year, and the defense—while flashy at times with guys like DaRon Bland—just couldn't hold up against the run when it mattered most. Finishing 7-9-1 in the NFC East is usually a recipe for an early vacation, and 2025 proved that theory right.
Brian Schottenheimer’s first full year as head coach had its sparks, but the inconsistency was the killer. You can't drop games to divisional rivals in December and expect to be playing in mid-January.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Dallas Cowboys Opponents
Since we know there’s no game today, the next best thing is looking at the future. The NFL has already locked in the opponents for the 2026 season. If you’re planning your trips to AT&T Stadium for next fall, here is the breakdown of who Dallas will face.
The Cowboys will play a standard NFC East rotation, but they also draw the AFC South and the NFC West this year. Plus, because they finished second in their division, they get the second-place finishers from the AFC North, NFC South, and NFC North.
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Home Games at AT&T Stadium:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- San Francisco 49ers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away Games:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Green Bay Packers
That away schedule is a gauntlet. Going into Lambeau and Lumen Field in the same season? That’s going to test whatever roster moves the front office makes this spring.
How to Watch Cowboys Content Right Now
Even though you won't find a live game on a broadcast channel today, the Dallas Cowboys are a 24/7 media machine. If you need a fix, you have a few options that don't involve checking the live TV listings.
Basically, the Dallas Cowboys Network and their official website are the hubs for post-season post-mortems. They usually run "Deep Blue" documentaries or "Sounds of the Sideline" during the off-season. You can also find re-airs of classic games on NFL Network, which often fills the January gaps with legendary Cowboys performances from the 90s or the early Dak era.
Honestly, the most active "channel" for the Cowboys right now is the rumor mill. Between the scouting combine coming up in February and the start of free agency in March, the talk is going to be all about whether they keep the core together or finally hit the "reset" button on certain positions.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans
Since the Cowboys aren't playing today, here is how you can stay prepared for when they actually return to the screen:
- Sync Your Calendar: The 2026 NFL schedule with specific dates and times won't be released until May. Keep an eye out then to see if that rumored international game in Mexico City actually happens.
- Audit Your Streaming Apps: If you struggled to find games this year, remember that the NFL’s broadcast rights are split. You’ll need a combination of FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and Prime Video to catch every game in 2026.
- Draft Prep: Dallas picks in the middle of the first round this year. Start looking at offensive line prospects or interior defensive linemen; those are the consensus "needs" according to most local scouts in Frisco.
- Check Local Listings for Playoffs: If you just want to scout the competition, tune into CBS or FOX this Saturday. The 49ers and Eagles are still the teams to beat in the NFC, and they are very much active today.
The quest for a sixth ring is on hold for at least eight months. For now, the "channel" the Cowboys are on is strictly the news channel.