The Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16.

The Dallas Cowboys have been dealing with an awkward schedule for much of the year. They opened the season in the Kickoff classic, the annual Thursday night opening game where the defending Super Bowl champion raises their banner. The Cowboys were in Philly and almost pulled off an upset of the Eagles in Week 1.

Later in the year, the club got an extra day of rest, getting a Monday Night game coming out of their Week 10 bye. The heat was turned up as they were forced to play four games within a span of just 18 days, going from Monday-to-Sunday-to-Thursday-to-Thursday. It was this gauntlet that originally gave the club and their fans hope the season could turn around, but after wins against the Raiders, Eagles and Chiefs, Dallas was blown out in their trip to face the Lions.

That Week 14 loss was the first of three defeats in a row that ended up eliminating the Cowboys from the playoff chase, leading to two games where pride and draft positioning were all that remained to be decided.

Do the Dallas Cowboys play today in Week 17?

The Cowboys have actually played their Week 17 game. That crazy schedule included four different Thursday games, with the Cowboys traveling to Washington for Christmas after hosting the Chiefs on Thanksgiving. The loss to Detroit was the nearly-annual week-after Thanksgiving TNF game Dallas is forced to play because they annually host Turkey Day.

The Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders, 30-23, and will not play again until their season finale, Week 18, when they travel to New York to take on the Giants.

Week 17 Rooting Guide

Here’s a look at the teams who, in victory, would help Dallas’ draft positioning.

Cowboys 2025 schedule

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 4: Eagles 24, Cowboys 20

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14: Cowboys 40, Giants 37 OT

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21: Bears 31, Cowboys 14

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28: Cowboys 40, Packers 40

Week 5: Sunday, October 4: Cowboys 37, Jets 22

Week 6: Sunday, October 11: Panthers 30, Cowboys 27

Week 7: Sunday, October 19: Cowboys 44, Commanders 22

Week 8: Sunday, October 26: Broncos 44, Cowboys 24

Week 9: Monday, November 3: Cardinals 27, Cowboys 17

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Monday, November 17: Cowboys 33, Raiders 16

Week 12: Sunday, November 23: Cowboys 24, Eagles 21

Week 13: Thursday, November 27: Cowboys 31, Chiefs 28

Week 14: Thursday, December 4: Lions 44, Cowboys 30

Week 15: Sunday, December 14: Vikings 34, Cowboys 26

Week 16: Sunday, December 21: Chargers 34, Cowboys 17

Week 17: Thursday, Dec. 25: Cowboys 30, Commanders 23

Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 4, at New York Giants, TBD, TBD