Trap Games for the Dallas Cowboys Entering 2026
Any Given Sunday shows that even when one team is much better than the other, victory is not always guaranteed. In 2025, I made a list of potential trap games where the Cowboys, on paper, were better, but an upset could end up happening. Dallas lost two of the three games on the list against the Panthers and the Cardinals, which contributed to a disappointing season. Now entering 2026 with high aspirations for the postseason, the Cowboys have one of the hardest schedules on paper, so making sure they can win against teams that they should be better than is vital. With that being said, what are some potential trap games for the Cowboys in 2026?
Week One at Giants
The Cowboys open up the 2026 season like they usually do, playing against the Giants in MetLife Stadium on Sunday Night Football. There is no denying Dak Prescott's strong record against the Giants, as he holds a career record of 14-3 in games played against them. Dallas enters this game as a slight favorite, but with history, one of the league's best offenses, the belief is that Dallas should start the season with a win. The Giants have had a solid offseason, hiring new coach John Harbaugh and making their defense stronger in the draft, and with young quarterback Jaxson Dart, the Giants could be primed for the upset.
Week Eight vs. Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have been a team that frequently upsets the Cowboys. Dallas' last win versus Arizona came in 2017, and since the year 2008, Dallas has had eight losses compared to the one win. What makes this stat worse is that for the better part of these games, the Cowboys have had better teams. These two teams head into 2026 with varying expectations, so the Cowboys will look to meet their goals and avoid falling short against a team that will likely not have a lot to play for.
Week 11 vs. Titans
In Week 11, the Cowboys will host Cam Ward, the former first overall pick, in what should be an "easy" game for Dallas. However, it is likely to be anything but straightforward. The last time Dallas played the Titans was in 2022, when they were by far the better team, but it got a bit rough in the end, and the Cowboys would end up scrapping by in a game that was not defined by the scoreline. If the Cowboys' defense genuinely believes it has improved, this game should serve as an opportunity to showcase that improvement against a team like the Titans.
