We’re formally beneath 100 days till the Dallas Cowboys journey to New York to begin their 2026 common season. Whereas there’s lots that may occur between now and that matchup, it’s by no means too early to look forward on the entirety of Dallas’ common season schedule.
With that thought in thoughts, in the present day we check out three video games that may probably decide the eventual end result of Dallas’ 2026 season. Tell us should you agree with our choices within the feedback part.
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1) Week 5 VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It might appear loopy to place a lot emphasis on an early-season matchup, however this Week 5 contest towards the Buccaneers will carry a lot weight in figuring out the end result of Dallas’ common season. Whereas the Bucs themselves don’t determine to be one of many Cowboys’ most tough opponents, the matchup between the 2 groups is available in a troublesome stretch of their schedule.
From Week 3 to Week 7, the Cowboys will face the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Inexperienced Bay Packers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Of these 5 video games, just one, Week 5 towards Tampa, shall be a house recreation at AT&T Stadium.
There’s a chance that Dallas may very well be the underdog in all of these matchups besides the house recreation towards Tampa relying on how they begin the season. If the Cowboys can win two of these 4, that will come as an enormous win. Regardless, they completely must win towards the Buccaneers if they need any shot at competing for the postseason.
It might not have the hype of another video games on the schedule, however the Dallas vs Tampa matchup shall be crucial for the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.
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2) Week 12 VS Philadelphia Eagles
You needed to know we wouldn’t make it by means of this listing and not using a Cowboys/Eagles matchup. This 12 months, for simply the third time in NFL historical past, Dallas and Philadelphia will meet on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys are 0-2 in these matchups, and breaking that pattern shall be pivotal in the event that they wish to take again the NFC East this season.
One factor going within the Cowboys’ favor is that they get a little bit of a smooth touchdown into this Thanksgiving matchup. Three of their 4 video games earlier than the vacation come towards probably non-playoff groups (Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans). Whereas three wins right here would give them some room for error within the second half of the 12 months, dropping this matchup at house towards the Eagles might sink their division probabilities if they’re making an attempt to climb out of an early-season gap.
Successful this recreation would give the Cowboys some much-needed wiggle room as they enter a brutal three-game stretch after the vacation. Whoever walks away victorious on Thanksgiving Day could very effectively find yourself strolling away with the NFC East title at season’s finish.
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3) Week 16 VS Jacksonville Jaguars
Our remaining season-defining recreation comes all the way in which in Week 16 because the Cowboys host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Whereas a late-season matchup towards a non-conference opponent could not appear that necessary on the floor, if the Cowboys are a playoff-contending staff come December, this recreation may have lots driving on it.
As we talked about above, after dealing with the Eagles on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys must journey to Seattle and Los Angeles, dealing with arguably the 2 greatest groups in soccer, the Seahawks and the Rams. Each of these matchups shall be extraordinarily tough for the Cowboys, and there’s a respectable shot they go 0-2. If that does occur, avoiding a possible three-game late-season dropping streak could be very important.
The Jaguars determine to be one of many AFC’s higher groups, and their late-season matchup in Dallas may very well be must-see TV.
