Eagles vs. Cowboys: Thanksgiving 2026 date, time, key storylines, and matchups

The first of the three Week 12 Thanksgiving games has been released, and it couldn't get much bigger than this.

The Dallas Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in another instalment of a bitter NFC East rivalry that never fails to deliver.

One of a handful of games announced ahead of the full schedule release later this week, this prime-time showdown offers plenty of storylines and star power to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Here's what to expect, how to watch, and when to tune in.

Eagles vs. Cowboys: Kickoff date, time and venue

• UK (GMT): Thursday, November 26, at 9.30pm
• US (ET): Thursday, November 26, at 4.30pm
• US (PT): Thursday, November 26, at 1.30pm
• Venue: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Home to the Cowboys since 2009, AT&T Stadium has a seating capacity of 80,000, a retractable roof, and one of the largest videodisplay boards in the world.

Affectionately known as "Jerry World" after Dallas' owner and GM, Jerry Jones, the $1.15 billion stadium will be one of 11 US venues to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Eagles vs. Cowboys: How to watch

In the US, the game will be broadcast on FOX, FOX One and NFL+.

International broadcast details, including availability on DAZN to NFL Game Pass subscribers, will be confirmed closer to the date.

Eagles vs. Cowboys: Key storylines

The Prescott-Pickens combo returns

Dallas' quarterback Dak Prescott led one of the most prolific aerial offenses in 2025, helping the Cowboys rack up more passing yards (4,735) than any other team.

His chances of repeating that feat came under threat with star wide receiver George Pickens rumoured to leave in free agency.

But that wasn't to be, and Pickens signed his franchise tag, returning to Dallas, where he forms arguably the league's best wide receiver duos with CeeDee Lamb.

Philadelphia own recent bragging rights

The Eagles vs. Cowboys rivalry has been played 134 times (including 4 postseason games). Dallas leads the series 75-59-0.

But Philadelphia heads to Arlington as back-to-back NFC East champions, with three division titles in the last five seasons, a Super Bowl in 2024, and a 6-1 Thanksgiving record.

Dallas, meanwhile, hasn't been to the postseason since 2023 and has posted two losing seasons in a row.

But much of that goes out the window on Thanksgiving, with the Eagles making the trip to one of the most hostile venues in football, against a Cowboys team that is 7-1 against the Eagles at AT&T Stadium.

A new-look Cowboys' defense, led by a former Eagle

Dallas finished dead last in passing yards allowed in 2025 and 31st in touchdowns through the air.

In March 2026, Jones famously said, "Had we played a lick of defense last year, we would've had ourselves, I think, a real playoff run."

An overhaul was needed, and Jones responded in a big way, starting with the hire of Christian Parker, who replaced Matt Eberflus as the new defensive coordinator.

Parker offers one of the juiciest storylines of this game, as he returns to face his former team, having served as the Eagles' passing game coordinator & defensive backs coach last season.

Five of Dallas' seven draft picks were spent on defensive players, including former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, whom Dallas picked with the 11th overall pick.

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Their second selection, also a first-rounder, was spent on Malachi Lawrence, an exciting edge rusher from UCF.

Other newcomers include edge Rashan Gary, acquired in trade with the Green Bay Packers, and safety Jalen Thompson, a $36 million signing in free agency.

The pressure will be on the new defense to perform, especially in a prime-time slot.

Will WR A.J. Brown still be an Eagle?

Brown became disgruntled last year with his role in the offence, and has been widely reported to be exiting Philadelphia in a post-June 1 move.

If that comes to fruition, Jalen Hurts should not be short-handed. The Eagles drafted former USC wideout Makai Lemon in the first round, traded for Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers, and signed a few veteran wideouts in free agency.

Eagles vs. Cowboys: Key matchups

Hurts vs. Parker's new-look defense

Parker was hired specifically to fix the leaky Cowboys defense.

Now he's facing his former team's quarterback, running a scheme built on the same principles Philadelphia used to dominate opponents.

With star wideout DeVonta Smith, first-round rookie Lemon, and the red-zone threat of tight end Dallas Goedert, Hurts appears to have the advantage in this matchup.

It's a fascinating tactical chess match, and whoever wins this battle stands a better-than-even chance of winning the game.

Dak Prescott vs. the Eagles defense

Prescott has dominated the Eagles at home in recent years.

With Lamb and Pickens stretching the field and tight end Jake Ferguson working the middle, keeping Dallas off the scoreboard for long enough will be Philadelphia's biggest challenge.

The young Eagles secondary will have their hands full.

Eagles ground game vs. the Cowboys run defense

The Eagles' ground game has fallen woefully short of the heights reached during their Super Bowl-winning campaign.

Saquon Barkley's numbers have fallen sharply across the board, Hurts isn't punishing teams quite like he used to, and the offensive line has been banged up.

Key to their success in 2026 is finding a way to become more efficient in the running game once again.

Last year, Dallas ranked 30th in the league, allowing 4.8 yards per carry, but as highlighted earlier, the 2026 defense looks a little different.

This particular battle could decide everything.