The Dallas Cowboys' complete 2026 schedule is set. They'll kick off against the New York Giants on Sept. 13 and finish the season on the road against the Washington Commanders.

Full Regular-Season Slate

• Week 1: Sept. 13 at New York Giants
• Week 2: Sept. 20 vs. Washington Commanders
• Week 3: Sept. 27 vs. Baltimore Ravens (in Rio)
• Week 4: Oct. 4 at Houston Texans
• Week 5: Oct. 8 (Thursday) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 6: Oct. 18 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 7: Oct. 26 (Monday) at Philadelphia Eagles
• Week 8: Nov. 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals
• Week 9: Nov. 8 at Indianapolis Colts
• Week 10: Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers
• Week 11: Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee Titans
• Week 12: Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Thanksgiving)
• Week 13: Dec. 7 (Monday) at Seattle Seahawks
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: Dec. 20 at Los Angeles Rams
• Week 16: Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
• Week 17: Jan. 3 vs. New York Giants
• Week 18: TBD at Washington Commanders

Grim Forecast: 6-11 Prediction

Don't expect Dallas to contend this year. Analyst Ben Arthur projects the Cowboys will finish 6-11 in 2026, citing a punishing non-division schedule despite personnel improvements.

An elite offense got the Dallas Cowboys seven wins last season. So, with the same offense and an improved defense entering 2026, getting above .500 should be more than doable. It helps that the NFC East isn't as threatening as it was a year ago at this time. But their non-division schedule is brutal. Expectations are high in Dallas, but it wouldn't be surprising to see it take a step back.

Betting Odds Don't Inspire Confidence

FanDuel Sportsbook currently sets Dallas' win total at 9.5 wins. The Cowboys carry +2200 odds to win the Super Bowl and +100 odds to make the playoffs.

Aggressive Offseason Overhaul

Dallas made significant moves to shore up a historically weak defense:

Free Agent Signings:

• Safety Jalen Thompson (Arizona Cardinals)
• Cornerback Cobie Durant (Los Angeles Rams)
• Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Running back Javonte Williams (re-signed)
• Wide receiver George Pickens (franchise tagged)

Trades:

• Acquired edge rusher Rashan Gary from Green Bay Packers
• Acquired linebacker Dee Winters from San Francisco 49ers
• Traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco 49ers

Draft Picks:

• Safety Caleb Downs, Ohio State (11th overall)
• Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, UCF (23rd overall)
• Linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (Round 3)
• Offensive tackle Drew Shelton, Penn State (Round 3)
• Cornerback Devin Moore, Florida (Round 4)
• Defensive tackle LT Overton, Alabama (Round 4)

High Marks for Draft Class

Analyst Ralph Vacchiano ranked the Cowboys at No. 21 in his offseason power rankings, praising their defensive focus.

They have been laser-focused on the defense all offseason long, as they should be. Getting safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 was a steal, since some thought he was the best player in the draft.

Draft analyst Rob Rang awarded Dallas an A-minus grade for their 2026 haul.

The Cowboys needed to take advantage of their two first-round selections and did so. The duo will immediately upgrade what was one of the NFL's most porous defenses of a year ago.