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Who will the Cowboys play Week 1? Opponent, date, time, schedule
TL;DR
The Dallas Cowboys will play their Week 1 game on Sunday, Sept. 13. They face a familiar opponent who is expected to improve in 2026.
Key points
- Dallas Cowboys are in first place.
- Week 1 game is on Sunday, Sept. 13.
- Cowboys missed playoffs for two straight years.
- Defense struggled, allowing the most points in the league.
- Expectations for improvement in 2026.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in first place.
That will remain a true statement for the foreseeable future, at least until the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13. And that is the primary reason for excitement in Week 1.
Every team has a chance. Every team is in first place. Every team has a reason to be excited – even the Cowboys.
Dallas is coming off another disappointing season, missing the playoffs for a second straight year, thanks in large part to a defense that simply wasn't good enough. The Cowboys spent the year trying to win shootouts, using a top-10 scoring offense to offset the defense that surrendered the most points in the league.
That unit will be put to the test right away in Week 1 against a familiar foe that is also expected to be much-improved in 2026.
COWBOYS SCHEDULE 2026: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for Dallas
Here's what to know about the Cowboys' opponent to open the 2026 regular season, including, date, time and more.
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)
RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)
WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)
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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
1 / 4
2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
2 / 4
2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)
3 / 4
2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)
4 / 4
2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)
Who are the Cowboys playing in Week 1?
The Cowboys will play the New York Giants on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 1. Kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 13.
It's a road contest at MetLife Stadium to open the season for the Cowboys and marks the 12th all-time matchup between these two rivals in the first week. The Cowboys have been dominant in these contests through the years, owning an 11-1 record against the G-Men in Week 1.
The Giants hosted the last opening-week matchup against the Cowboys, a game that famously ended with Dallas winning 40-0 on "Sunday Night Football."
This game is expected to be more competitive this time around, with no shortage of storylines or hype surrounding the matchup.
John Harbaugh is set to make his head coaching debut for the Giants and it will also mark the start of Jaxson Dart's second season. Expectations are high for Big Blue as the team looks for a return to the postseason after a brutal 4-13 season.
On the Dallas side, Dak Prescott gets ready to start his 11th season as a pro. However, the focus will be on the opposite side of the ball, where the Cowboys' new-look defense debuts, with Caleb Downs patrolling the secondary. Players like Quinnen Williams will be coming into the game off a full offseason with Dallas, after midseason trades shook up the roster.
The unit will hope to be much-improved from a season ago and they'll have to be if the Cowboys are going to make any noise in 2026.
Cowboys opponents 2026
Home
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- Baltimore Ravens(NFL Brazil game, Week 3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- San Francisco 49ers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
Away
- New York Giants (Week 1, Sunday Night Football)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys schedule: Date, time, matchup for Dallas in Week 1
Q&A
Who are the Dallas Cowboys playing in Week 1 of 2026?
The Dallas Cowboys will face a familiar opponent in Week 1 of 2026.
What date and time is the Cowboys' Week 1 game scheduled for?
The Cowboys' Week 1 game is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13.
Why are the Cowboys excited about Week 1 in 2026?
The Cowboys are excited about Week 1 because every team has a chance and is in first place at the start of the season.
What challenges did the Cowboys face in the previous season?
The Cowboys faced challenges due to a defense that surrendered the most points in the league, leading to missing the playoffs for two consecutive years.