With the NFL officially confirming the 2026 schedule release for Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 PM ET, fans of the Dallas Cowboys are bracing for the road ahead. While specific dates and kickoff times are pending, the Dallas Cowboys strength of schedule (SOS) is already shaping the early storylines for the season.
Based on the latest Sharp Football Analysis using Vegas projected win totals, the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 season with the #29 hardest schedule in the NFL. That places them in the The Gauntlet difficulty tier, a slate stacked with playoff contenders and a notable cross-conference test.
Why the Dallas Cowboys Schedule is Ranked #29
Unlike traditional SOS rankings that rely on last year’s win-loss records, our 2026 analysis uses Vegas win totals to account for roster changes, draft hauls, and coaching shifts under head coach Brian Schottenheimer. For a closer look at the wider picture, see our 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule master rankings.
For the Dallas Cowboys, the #29 ranking is driven by:
- The Division Factor: Facing the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders twice each remains one of the more demanding division slates in football.
- The Positional Draw: The Dallas Cowboys draw the entire NFC West (Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers at home; Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks on the road) and the entire AFC South, two of the deeper divisions in their rotation.
- The 17th Game: A home date with the Baltimore Ravens adds significant weight to the strength of the schedule, sending Dallas Cowboys into a tough home test matchup.
Dallas Cowboys 2026 Home and Away Opponents
You can find the Dallas Cowboys printable 2026-27 schedule in PDF here: Dallas Cowboys 2026 Schedule.
| Home (AT&T Stadium) | Away (Road Trip) |
| New York Giants | New York Giants |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Washington Commanders | Washington Commanders |
| Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams |
| San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Houston Texans |
| Tennessee Titans | Indianapolis Colts |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Green Bay Packers |
| Baltimore Ravens (17th game) | – |
Key Matchups to Watch in 2026
- The Rivalry Game: A division date with the Philadelphia Eagles will be an important test for NFC East seeding and a measuring stick for Dallas Cowboys’s 2026 plans.
- The Cross-Conference Test: The Baltimore Ravens matchup is one of the more difficult tests on the 2026 slate, with national attention guaranteed.
Dallas Cowboys Strength of Schedule FAQ
How hard is the Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule? The Dallas Cowboys have the #29 hardest schedule in the NFL. That falls in the The Gauntlet tier compared to the rest of the league, with the difficulty driven primarily by the NFC West and AFC South draws.
When is the Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule released? The full week-by-week schedule will be released by the NFL on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET. We will update this page with dates, times, and TV broadcasts as soon as the league publishes them.
Who is the Dallas Cowboys 17th game in 2026? The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to face the Baltimore Ravens at home as their rotating 17th game opponent for the 2026 season.
DOWNLOAD 2026 DALLAS COWBOYS SCHEDULE TRACKER (PDF)
Be ready for the May 14 release. Download our low-ink printable PDF for the Dallas Cowboys to track every date, kickoff time, and TV broadcast as they are announced. For full team news and the official future opponents page, see the Dallas Cowboys official schedule.
NFL Resources
For more 2026 NFL schedule and strength of schedule context, see these companion guides on Sports Brackets:
- 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule: Complete 1-32 Rankings – the master ranking that places the Dallas Cowboys at #29.
- Future NFL Schedules hub – rolling future-season opponent lists for every team.
- 2026 NFL Schedule Printable and TV Lineups – the master 2026 NFL schedule article with team-by-team printable downloads.
- 2026 NFL Schedule Grid Printable – one-page printable grid of the 2026 NFL season at a glance.
