With a high-octane offense ready to fire, Dallas’ postseason hopes hinge on a defensive overhaul. But it all starts with the new NFL schedule for 2026.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have not participated in playoff football for two seasons, as "America's Team'' has been on the couch while other teams try to win the Super Bowl.
But after a positive offseason that has seen the defense, which was the NFL's worst last season, be improved thanks to the hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, along with some shrewd free agency signings and draft selections, the tide is turning.
Maybe.
The offense has remained intact, so all eyes will be on Parker's defense to at least be competent in 2026.
But before we get there?
All eyes are on the just-released NFL schedule.
- Week 1: at New York Giants, Sunday Night Football (Sunday, Sept. 13, 7:20 p.m.)
- Week 2: vs Washington Commanders (Sunday, Sept. 20, 3:25 p.m.)
- Week 3: vs Baltimore Ravens, Rio de Janeiro Game (Sunday, Sept. 27, 3:25 p.m.)
- Week 4: at Houston Texas (Sunday, Oct. 4, noon)
- Week 5: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday Night Football (Thursday, Oct. 8, 7:15 p.m.)
- Week 6: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday Night Football (Sunday, Oct. 18, 7:20 p.m.)
- Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles, Monday Night Football (Monday, Oct. 25, 7:15 p.m.)
- Week 8: vs Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Nov. 1, noon)
- Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, Nov. 8, noon)
- Week 10: vs San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, Nov. 15, 3:25 p.m.)
- Week 11: vs Tennessee Titans (Sunday, Nov. 22, noon)
- Week 12: vs Philadelphia Eagles, Thanksgiving Day (Thursday Nov. 25, 3:30 p.m.)
- Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks, Monday Night Football (Monday, Nov. 30, 7:15 p.m.)
- Week 14: BYE WEEK
- Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Dec. 13, 3:25 p.m.)
- Week 16: vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday Night Football (Sunday, Dec. 20, 7:20 p.m.)
- Week 17: vs New York Giants (Sunday, Dec. 27, noon)
- Week 18: at Washington Commanders (TBD)
Looking forward ...
We stated numerous times last season that if the defense was average, Dallas would likely be playoff-bound. The hope is that it will be in 2026.
Of course, saying that in May is one thing, but once the regular season gets underway, we will get a true indication of where Dallas sits in the pecking order.
One outlet has the Cowboys as a team that can - to use its phrase "gate-crash'' - the postseason in 2026.
The concept is based in large part on Dallas having not having played in an NFC title game in over 30 years and missing the playoffs altogether the past two years.
Thus ... "The Drought.''
How does "The Drought'' end?
We're not sure yet.
Where do the Cowboys begin on a path to end it?
With a schedule deemed by many to be one of the NFL's toughest. But the bottom line: You're either a playoff team or you're not. "Strength of schedule'' is immaterial.
We have heard for years that "This is the Cowboys' year,'' that this is the season in which they can finally break the drought.
As of today, now that we have the schedule?
Arguments for or against that notion actually have some evidence to support the "break The Drought'' argument.