The Dallas Cowboys' 2026 NFL schedule features 27,980 miles of travel and six primetime games. Key matchups include games against division rivals and playoff contenders, making them crucial for the team's future positioning.
Key points
Dallas Cowboys travel 27,980 miles in 2026 season
Team plays six primetime games
Notable matchups include division rivals and playoff contenders
Games are crucial for future playoff positioning
Schedule release heightens fan anticipation
Dallas CowboysNew York GiantsGreen Bay Packers
Things just got real for the Dallas Cowboys with the release of the 2026 NFL schedule. The team will travel 27,980 miles this season, taking on division rivals, same-place finishers like the Green Bay Packers, and teams from the AFC South and North and NFC West. Dallas will be featured in six primetime games and will have quite a few intriguing matchups fans should circle on your calendars.
This collection of games all have various reasons they're notable and should carry more weight compared to the rest of the schedule. Whether it be for future playoff positioning or figuring out where the Cowboys stand among the best teams in the league. Each game will be of particular importance for Dallas and can help them figure out if they are truly going in the right direction.
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detail view of a New York Giants helmet on the sideline during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detail view of a New York Giants helmet on the sideline during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The biggest headline surrounding this matchup is John Harbaugh making his debut as the Giants’ head coach. On the Dallas side, the spotlight shifts to new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who will be calling plays for the first time after a season in which the defense struggled to stop the majority of opposing offenses.
Parker was hired for his ability to coach up players quickly, along with his defensive knowledge and schemes in the secondary. He faces an immediate challenge against a dynamic Giants offense featuring a young, mobile quarterback in , a physical downhill runner in , and a true No. 1 receiving threat in who will test him early.
Q&A
What are the key matchups in the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 schedule?
The key matchups include games against division rivals, same-place finishers like the Green Bay Packers, and teams from the AFC South and North and NFC West.
How many miles will the Dallas Cowboys travel in the 2026 season?
The Dallas Cowboys will travel a total of 27,980 miles during the 2026 NFL season.
How many primetime games are on the Cowboys' 2026 schedule?
The Cowboys will be featured in six primetime games throughout the 2026 season.
Why are the Cowboys' 2026 games important for playoff positioning?
Each game is significant for determining the Cowboys' standings among the best teams in the league and for future playoff positioning.
Related Articles
MLB·Recap
Arrighetti brings no-hitter into the eighth inning as Astros shut out Rangers 2-0
Spencer Arrighetti nearly no-hits Rangers as Astros win 2-0
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Golf·Recap
Gritty group from Wyoming builds big opening cushion at Women’s National Golf Invitational
Wyoming's women's golf team takes a commanding lead at the National Golf Invitational!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Warriors linked to internet-breaking reunion trade for $134 million two-time NBA champion star
Warriors linked to potential trade for Kevin Durant, valued at $134 million.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Sonia Citron scores 30 as Mystics top Fever 104-102 in OT despite Caitlin Clark's heroics
Sonia Citron leads Mystics past Fever 104-102 in OT thriller!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Former Arizona Cardinals DL Josh Mauro died of drug overdose
Tragic news: Former Arizona Cardinals DL Josh Mauro dies from overdose at 35.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
NCAA bans ex-Abilene Christian basketball player Airion Simmons for alleged role in throwing games
NCAA permanently bans ex-Abilene Christian player Airion Simmons for alleged game-fixing.
Week 4 - Guyton and Steele vs. the Houston Texans pass rush
Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Houston Texans helmet sits on the sidelines during the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Houston Texans helmet sits on the sidelines during the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports
Guyton and Steele surrendered a combined 83 pressures and nine sacks a year ago, while Anderson Jr. and Hunter generated a combined 168 pressures and 27 sacks. If Dallas is going to win this game, both tackles must elevate their play; otherwise, Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense could be in for a long day.
The Cowboys and Packers square off once again. Edge rusher Micah Parsons will draw plenty of media attention, both coming back from his torn ACL and ongoing conversations about who won the trade amidst his fallout with Jerry Jones. On the opposite sideline, the Cowboys' new edge rusher is Rashan Gary,and he has just as much reason to prove his Green Bay doubters wrong. With the teams essentially swapping edge rushers a year apart, both now get a showcase against their former squads.
Parsons had his opportunity last season, coming up with a game-saving tackle. This time, it’s Gary’s turn. After a down 2025 season and criticism from then-teammate Parsons, Gary has a chance to turn the page with a win against his former team. Being one of the main reasons they won would be the icing on the cake.
Recent history has shown the 49ers to be the Cowboys’ kryptonite, whether in the regular season or the playoffs. The big question now is whether Dallas can finally break through, but to do that, they’ll have to play some of their most physical football of the year.
These games against the 49ers have been decided in the trenches, with Dallas being the team bullied in their past matchups; whichever team controls the line of scrimmage will have the upper hand. If the Cowboys want to change the narrative they’ll need to prove they can match and overpower one of the most physical teams in the NFL.
Week 12 against the Eagles could have major implications in the race for the NFC East in 2026. The Cowboys will host Philadelphia on Thanksgiving for just the third time, but the head-to-head history hasn’t been kind to Dallas, which has lost the two previous meetings. ON the contrary, Dallas has won on Turkey Day for the last four seasons.
Whoever comes out on top could gain a crucial edge in the division. If the Cowboys want to control their own destiny, they’ll need to win this matchup, or at the very least split the season series to avoid falling two games behind and giving the Eagles a tiebreaker. If they can’t, and the Eagles make it three straight on Thanksgiving, it will add insult to injury.
Week 13 - Dak Prescott vs. the Seattle Seahawks talented secondary
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Seattle Seahawks helmets are seen during a practice ahead of Super Bowl LX at the San Jose State University on February 05, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Seattle Seahawks helmets are seen during a practice ahead of Super Bowl LX at the San Jose State University on February 05, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Given the chance to face the defending Super Bowl champions, teams look to make a statement, and Dallas is no different. The Seahawks bring one of the most balanced and physical rosters in the league on both sides of the football, and they won’t make it easy for the Cowboys.
For Dallas, the key to winning this game will be Dak Prescott’s ability to solve Mike Macdonald’s complex coverage schemes and consistent pressure up front. It's something very few quarterbacks managed to do last season. If Prescott can crack that code and lead the Cowboys to a win, it won’t just be an upset, it will send a message to the entire league that Dallas belongs among the true contenders in the conference, not the pretenders
Week 15 - The prodigious Parker vs. offensive guru Sean McVay
Detailed view of a Los Angeles Rams helmet.
Detailed view of a Los Angeles Rams helmet.
This game is all about the chess match between Rams' offensive mastermind head coach Sean McVay and the Cowboys' up-and-coming defensive coordinator Christian Parker. McVay has consistently found ways to light up opposing defenses, but he hasn’t faced a defense led by Parker yet. But, with the game falling later in the season, McVay will have plenty of game tape to study.
Parker’s biggest challenge will be disguising coverage and throwing new wrinkles at McVay to throw him off his game early. If he can do that, he’ll neutralize McVay’s biggest strength, his photographic memory. If he can’t, then Parker's defense will be picked apart by McVay’s high-powered passing game.
Week 1: at New York Giants - Sunday, Sept. 13 (8:20 p.m. ET)
Week 2: vs Washington Commanders - Sunday, Sept. 20 (4:25 p.m. ET)
Week 3: vs Baltimore Ravens - Sunday Sept. 27 (4:25 p.m. ET) at Maracana Stadium, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Week 4: at Houston Texans - Sunday, October 3 (1 p.m. ET)
Week 5: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Thursday, October 8 (8:15 p.m. ET)
Week 6: at Green Bay Packers - Sunday October 18 (8:20 p.m. ET)
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles, October 26, MNF, (8:15 p.m.) ET
Week 8: vs Arizona Cardinals, November 1 (1 p.m. ET)
Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts, November 8 (1 p.m. ET)
Week 10: vs San Francisco 49ers, November 15 (4:25 p.m. ET)
Week 11: vs Tennessee Titans, November 22 (1 p.m. ET)
Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, November 26 (4:30 p.m. ET)
