FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys embark on a grueling 2026 season opener Sunday night at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants, kicking off a punishing seven-week stretch that features four nationally televised night games, a transcontinental trip to Brazil, and a travel itinerary totaling approximately 18,000 air miles.
Brutal Early Schedule Tests Cowboys Depth and Durability
The Cowboys’ first seven weeks include road games at the Giants (Sunday, Sept. 13, 7:20 p.m. ET), at Green Bay (Sunday, Oct. 18, 7:20 p.m. ET), and at Philadelphia (Monday, Oct. 26, 7:15 p.m. ET), plus a Thursday night home game against Tampa Bay (Oct. 8, 7:15 p.m. ET) on short rest. The NFL designates Dallas as the “home team” for a Sept. 27 game against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro — a designation head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted with sarcasm.
“I think the way the schedule is this year for the first couple of games we’re not going to have much of a routine, and that’s why again the live in the moment of the day I think matters,” Schottenheimer says, knowing the importance of starting the season with two NFC East Division games against the Giants and the Commanders. “We have to plan ahead, knowing Rio is right down the street.”
Speaking of that, Schotty says he has to pay attention to sports science factoring in the amount of travel facing this team.
“We’ve got a unique situation when you look at these next five weeks really when you factor in getting home at 5 a.m., the trip to Rio which is kind of a short week for us, then the league did us a favor (tongue in cheek) by getting us going to Houston and come home on Thursday (to play the Tampa Bay game), that was cool, so we’re just trying to do what we can to avoid the heat.”
Travel Logistics: 18,000 Miles in Seven Weeks
The travel breakdown underscores the physical toll:
- Sept. 13 at Giants: Return to DFW ~4:30 a.m. Monday
- Sept. 27 vs. Ravens in Rio: 10-hour flight Thursday night, 10-hour return, projected DFW arrival 7:45 a.m. Monday
- Oct. 4 at Houston: Short flight, noon kickoff
- Oct. 8 vs. Tampa Bay: Thursday night, four-day turnaround
- Oct. 18 at Green Bay: Return ~3 a.m. Monday
- Oct. 26 at Philadelphia: Monday night, return ~4 a.m. Tuesday
Total air miles during this stretch: right at 18,000 — the equivalent of three oil changes for a car. The only tangible benefit of the “home team” designation in Rio: the Cowboys’ charter flight departs Galeão International first, ahead of the Ravens.
Extreme Heat Forces Practice Indoors
Schottenheimer moved the first regular-season practice indoors Wednesday after temperature readings hit 102°F with a 114°F heat index. The Cowboys’ heat-monitoring device registered “extreme,” the highest danger level. The team uses hybrid urinals to measure player hydration levels and requires weigh-ins during outdoor practices to track fluid loss.
Offensive Line Depth Bolstered by Veteran Signing
With All-Pro guard Tyler Smith on IR-Return and T.J. Bass elevated to starter, the Cowboys signed 34-year-old veteran Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad. A 2011 first-round pick, Tomlinson has started 162 of 173 career games over 12 NFL seasons, providing experienced depth at guard and center behind Nick Leverett, who was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
9/11 Tributes at MetLife Stadium
Sunday’s game falls on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Players, coaches, and staff from both teams will wear commemorative NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD hats on the sideline, along with special “Never Forget” T-shirts during pregame warmups. The phrase “Never Forget” will be stenciled onto the field. The NFL plans similar remembrances at all season-opening games.
Cowboys Welcome Giants with ‘Empire State of Mind’
At Wednesday’s first practice of the week, players stretched to “Empire State of Mind” — complete with the elongated “Newww Yoooork, Newww Yoooork” chorus — a pointed reminder of the venue awaiting them Sunday.
Locker Room Notes: Number Swaps and Milestones
Fullback Hunter Luepke gave up No. 40 to newly acquired edge rusher Von Miller, receiving a stake in Miller’s Greener Pastures Chicken company in return. Asked about the trade, Luepke said, “I’m a big chicken guy.”
Miller, 37, owns 138½ career sacks (ninth all-time) and needs one full sack to tie for seventh. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and wide receiver George Pickens played on the same peewee team in Alabama. The Cowboys opened the 2011 season at MetLife against the Jets (a 27-24 loss), 10 years after 9/11. Quarterback Dak Prescott made his first career start against the Giants in the 2016 opener (a 20-19 loss) and is now 14-3 vs. the NFC East rival.
Schottenheimer Names Captains, Praises Quinnen Williams
Schottenheimer announced four 2026 captains: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Dak Prescott, and Brandon Aubrey. Of Williams, acquired via trade for the 10th game last season, Schottenheimer offered high praise:
“From the minute he’s gotten here he’s been about one thing and it’s winning,” Brian begins. “You know, he’s never won in the NFL, and the leadership is real, the talent is incredible, but every decision that guy makes is what’s best for us winning and I love that about him and it’s infectious, it rubs off.”
“And I love hearing him talk to the young linemen, the young defenders – he was very, very involved in some of the things to help the defense to grow and learn and all that stuff. So terrific young man, great dad – he and Maranda are great parents. Just thrilled to have him here, man.”