Although the entire 2026 NFL schedule has not been released, the Dallas Cowboys already have their first prime-time game of the season set. Dallas will have a division rivalry match in Week 1 that will be broadcast to viewers coast to coast. 

The game will air on NBC and Peacock at 8:20 PM ET, making it the first marquee matchup of the 2026 NFL season for a national audience. NFL insider Adam Schefter was first to report the matchup on May 11, posting on X: 

"First Sunday night game of the season, Sept. 13, will be the Cowboys at the Giants," Schefter wrote.

The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 last season but added star safety Caleb Downs in this year's draft. They also have Dak Prescott back healthy after a hamstring injury. He threw for 4,552 yards and led the league with 404 completions in 2025.

On the other hand, the New York Giants are developing their team defensively through their two first-round picks. Linebacker Arvell Reese was drafted 5th overall, as he received Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors last year.

Their 10th overall selection, guard Franics Mauigoa, received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy last year, which is awarded to the best collegiate blocker in the nation.

After the confirmation of the Cowboys-Giants matchup, the Seattle Seahawks' are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs, a sign of the stacked and exhilarating schedule for the upcoming season.

Stacked Schedule For the 2026 Season

Some of the matchups have been officially established. The Seahawks, Patriots, Rams, Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills are set to have the most intense race for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the upcoming season.

The Rams at Seattle tops the list after three classics last season, including the NFL's Game of the Year and an overtime comeback at Lumen Field.

The Chiefs at the Bills match will feature former MVP Josh Allen and star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, who is coming off his ACL injury.

The Bears at Packers game marks the 105th anniversary of their rivalry. However, LeFleur's Packers face a new challenge against Ben Johnson's dominant Chicago offense.

The upcoming Steelers game against the Ravens will mark their first matchup with new head coaches since their last meeting, which occurred two decades ago.

The Patriots' home game against the Bills will serve as a test to see if Buffalo can win back control of the AFC East from Drake Maye's New England.

The 49ers and Rams will face each other in Melbourne on September 11 for the NFL's inaugural Australian matchup.

Meanwhile, the Patriots and Broncos game will allow Bo Nix to take revenge after his AFC divisional game injury. The Patriots then travel to Seattle for a Super Bowl rematch that the whole league will be watching.

Finally, the Chiefs at Seahawks brings Kenneth Walker III back to face his former team.

You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Rishab Nandi