3 Things the NFL Nailed with Dallas Cowboys 2026 Schedule: Micah Parsons letdown avoided, huge Christmas Day decision
The NFL cooked with the Dallas Cowboys’ schedule for the 2026 regular season. Though it’s one of the toughest schedules, there is a lot to like from the league’s decision-making here.
The Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule is out now and after my immediate takeaways, I thought it was a good idea to take a closer look into it. Below are three things I believe the NFL nailed with its Cowboys schedule. And yes, I’ve got three things it got wrong in the backburner.
For now, let’s focus on the positive.
1. Micah Parsons letdown avoided
The first Micah Parsons game versus the Cowboys ended in an epic 40-40 tie. So the second go around was always going to be one of the top games to watch in 2026. But with expectations being that Parsons will miss the first four games of the season as he comes back from a torn ACL, scheduling this one for Week 6 is a win.
Chances are Parsons will be ready by then. Though nothing is for certain when it comes to rehab, at least the league didn’t set up this game in the first four weeks of the season, when Parsons will likely be on PUP.
2. End of season eases Cowboys schedule reality
The Cowboys entered Thursday knowing they have the fourth-toughest schedule of the year. That made them bound for a tough stretch or two of games no matter what. But I believe the NFL did a good job of spreading out the top opponents.
Two clear examples come late in the year: The Cowboys get the Seahawks in Week 13 and the Rams in 15, with both matches being split up by a bye week. Additionally, before facing the Seahawks, Dallas gets a long week following Thanksgiving vs the Eagles.
And the final three-game stretch? It’s no walk in the park but it’s possibly one of the easiest stretches of the year, as the Cowboys will host the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants before closing things out with a trip to face the Washington Commanders in Week 18.
3. No Christmas Day game
This is a major win by the NFL.
After scheduling the Cowboys for Dec. 25 last year, it was only fair to ask if the league would make Dallas an every year Christmas team. But Jerry Jones’ team already has a yearly Thanksgiving showdown. You can’t overdo the holiday thing. Especially when it means there are more short weeks for a team.