“America’s Team” will be well-represented in primetime once again in 2026.
Last year, the Dallas Cowboys‘ six primetime games were second in the NFL – one behind the Kansas City Chiefs‘ seven such matchups. This year, the Cowboys are again among teams with the most primetime contests.
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Even before the NFL announced the full 18-week schedule for the 2026 season, Dallas knew it would get an evening game early in the season. On May 11, the league, in tandem with NBC, announced that the New York Giants would host the Cowboys in the first “Sunday Night Football” game of the season.
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In addition to the benefits of extra eyes that come with being “America’s Team,” Dallas is expected to be an exciting squad during the 2026 season. The 2025 team was second in the NFL in total offensive yards and seventh in the league in points per game. Simultaneously, their defense last year was the worst in the NFL at preventing opponents from scoring.
After an offseason spent investing heavily in improving the defense, the Cowboys will get to test their mettle in primetime early and often. Here’s a look at their 2026 primetime schedule:
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1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
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See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
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New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
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Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
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Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
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New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
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Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
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Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
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New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
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Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
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Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
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Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
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Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
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Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
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Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
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Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
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Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
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Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
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Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
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Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
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Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
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Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
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Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
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Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
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Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
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Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
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Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
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New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
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Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
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Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
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Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
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Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
How many primetime games do the Cowboys have?
Dallas has six more primetime matchups in 2026, one year after having the same number of games in an evening slot.
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Cowboys primetime schedule 2026
Of the Cowboys’ six primetime games, three of them are back-to-back-to-back in a three-week stretch. Here’s a closer look at Dallas’ primetime slate in 2026:
Week 5 – Oct. 8: Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video (“Thursday Night Football”)
Week 6 – Oct. 18: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m., NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
Week 7 – Oct. 26: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m., ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
Week 13 – Dec. 7: Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
Week 16 – Dec. 27: Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
Dallas also plays an additional standalone game in the late afternoon on Thanksgiving. Its matchup with the Ravens in Rio de Janeiro in Week 3 will not be a standalone game – that contest will be broadcast alongside three others in the late afternoon slate on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Cowboys 2026 schedule
Here’s a full look at the Cowboys’ schedule in 2026:
Week 1 – Sept. 13: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
Week 3 – Sept. 27: Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS (Rio de Janeiro game)
Week 5 – Oct. 8: Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video (“Thursday Night Football”)
Week 6 – Oct. 18: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m., NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
Week 7 – Oct. 26: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m., ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
Week 12 – Nov. 26: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox (Thanksgiving)
Week 13 – Dec. 7: Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN (“Monday Night Football”)
Week 16 – Dec. 27: Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC (“Sunday Night Football”)
Week 17 – Jan. 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
Week 18 – Jan. 10: Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys, TBD, TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL schedule release: Cowboys get 6 primetime games