Dallas Cowboys schedule: 3 must-win video games on the 2026 regular-season schedule

Just below two weeks stand between the Dallas Cowboys and the beginning of the 2026 common season. After two disappointing seasons by which they missed the playoffs each years, offseason upgrades have given Dallas excessive hopes for this upcoming season.

If the Cowboys are going to return to the postseason, they’ll must handle enterprise in a number of swing video games on their troublesome regular-season schedule. Here are three must-win video games for the Cowboys this upcoming season.

1) Week 2 vs Washington Commanders

It could seem a bit loopy to record a Week 2 matchup as a must-win, however this recreation completely falls into that class for the Cowboys. Dallas opens up the season with two divisional matchups in a row, touring to New York to tackle the Giants in Week 1 earlier than returning dwelling to host the Commanders.

While Dallas has dominated the rivalry with the Giants in latest reminiscence, this matchup can be far more troublesome than years previous. New York undoubtedly obtained higher this offseason, and feelings can be operating excessive as John Harbaugh makes his debut because the workforce’s new head coach. Dallas is favored and really properly may win the sport, however there’s a actual chance they stroll out of New York 0-1.

If that occurs, the Week 2 matchup towards the Commanders turns into a transparent must-win. Dropping to 0-2 with each losses coming to division opponents may almost sink your season two weeks in. Even if the Cowboys beat the Giants to kick off the season, this matchup nonetheless carries loads of weight. In that state of affairs, with the ability to go to 2-0 with two divisional wins would give Dallas an enormous leg up within the division race early on.

2) Week 9 at Indianapolis Colts

While a non-conference matchup in Week 9 could not determine to hold a lot weight, the positioning of this recreation in Dallas’ schedule makes it essential. After touring to Green Bay and Philadelphia in back-to-back weeks, Dallas will face the Cardinals, Colts, 49ers, and Titans in weeks eight via eleven.

If the Cowboys need any shot at making the playoffs, the video games towards the Cardinals and Titans needs to be straightforward wins. The 49ers can be, no doubt, the hardest opponent of the 4, and with their latest historical past towards San Francisco, it’s straightforward to see Dallas dropping this one. That leaves the swing recreation at Indy in Week 9.

With such a troublesome schedule to start out the yr, the Cowboys could must make up some floor of their 5 November video games. This matchup towards the Colts will probably be the distinction between Dallas going 3-1 or 2-2 through the best a part of their schedule.

Indianapolis’ speeding assault will make this a troublesome recreation, but when Dallas comes out with a win, it could possibly be enormous for his or her playoff hopes.

3) Week 17 vs New York Giants

All issues thought of, it’s laborious to see a world the place the Cowboys make the playoffs with out profitable this Week 17 matchup towards the Giants. It’s unclear simply the place the Giants can be of their re-build at this level within the season. Winning this recreation could possibly be the deciding issue if Dallas wins the NFC East or makes the postseason in some capability.

If the Cowboys are within the playoff hunt in any respect, this dwelling matchup towards a divisional opponent within the second-to-last week of the common season will carry tons of weight. Dallas must stroll away with a win on this matchup it doesn’t matter what.