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3 Things the NFL Got Wrong with Cowboys 2026 Schedule: Dallas is paying for postponing international game as much as it could
TL;DR
The NFL's 2026 schedule for the Dallas Cowboys is criticized for its harsh early demands, attributed to the team's decision to postpone international games. This scheduling choice has left the Cowboys facing a challenging start without adequate rest.
Key points
- Dallas Cowboys postponed playing abroad
- NFL's 2026 schedule is criticized
- Brutal early schedule with no rest
- Consequences of postponing international games
- Cowboys facing tough demands early in the season
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Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys postponed playing abroad as much as they could. Now it feels like the NFL is making them pay for it, as the early schedule is brutal with no rest in sight.
So far, Iâve written my initial takeaways to the full 2026 Dallas Cowboys schedule, three things I believe the NFL nailed about it, and now, weâre looking at where they got things wrong.
Letâs start with the⊠well, the start. Because the Cowboys are getting an awful thank you note for going abroad.
1. Brutal situation following Rio game
Itâs been well-documented the Cowboys avoided an international game for as long as they could. The last time they played outside the US was in 2014. And now, it sure feels like the NFL is making them pay for it.
Dallas has a Week 3 showdown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against Lamar Jacksonâs Baltimore Ravens. What happens after it is the real concern. One week later, theyâll visit the stingy defense on a Sunday, so they wonât have a long week or anything of the sort. And it doesnât stop there.
Q&A
What are the main issues with the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 schedule?
The main issues include a brutal early schedule and a lack of rest, which are seen as consequences of the Cowboys postponing their international game.
How does postponing international games affect the Cowboys' schedule?
Postponing international games has resulted in a more challenging early schedule for the Cowboys, leading to a demanding sequence of games without sufficient breaks.
What did the NFL get wrong with the Cowboys' 2026 schedule?
The NFL is criticized for creating a tough early schedule for the Cowboys, which many believe is a penalty for their decision to delay playing abroad.