Brian Schottenheimer just got a reason to disagree with Dak Prescott following Christmas Day win
The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback wants to play in Week 18. But the win over the Washington Commanders carried a warning.
On Christmas Day, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys did what they said they would: play to win.
Prescott led the Cowboys offense to a 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders, and even though it wasn’t pretty, it was the result they were aiming for. Despite being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, Dak played the whole game.
Now the question is, what about Week 18? Prescott shared his stance postgame, and if we’re being real, the Cowboys may have a reason to disagree with him after Thursday’s showdown. Let’s break it all down.
Dak Prescott insists on his desire to play
Unsurprisingly, Prescott is planning to play for the regular season finale against the New York Giants.
“For sure,” Prescott told reporters when asked if he still wanted to play in Week 18. “I love this game, I love any opportunity that I get to play it. I understand the reasons why maybe [I don’t get to play].”
Though Prescott is aware he might not get one last shot, he made it clear that conversations with the team have him expecting to play.
“In my mind, any conversations that I’ve had with (Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer) or anybody about it would be I’m playing,” Prescott added.
But the Cowboys just got a reason to disagree with him
In his press conference, Schottenheimer said the Cowboys are still “playing to win.” However, it might be tougher to decide after witnessing what happened on Thursday. He added he’d be watching the film (and drinking eggnog!) before making a decision.
Prescott was sacked six times and hit another 11 times, per official league stats. And some of the hits he took were dangerous, with multiple arriving below his knee. Tyler Smith looked vulnerable at left tackle, while the Cowboys lost matchups just about everywhere across the OL.
Not to mention, once the Cowboys lost RB Javonte Williams (shoulder) and TE Jake Ferguson (calf), their absence was felt in pass protection. Both skill-position players often carry out relief assignments in pass pro.
Schottenheimer will have to review the film and make a decision. Should he risk Dak for the sake of getting to 8-8-1? Or should he initiate the Joe Milton experience? The decision to keep playing Prescott just got much harder following the hits he took in Washington.
Prescott’s passing yard crown is on the line
Though Prescott would be the first to tell you he doesn’t care about individual stats but rather team wins, there’s no denying there’s at least a tiny bit of legacy at risk here. Dak is having a great year, leading the NFL in passing yards and passing yards per game. He also leads the NFL in completions ahead of this weekend’s games.
Not playing in Week 18 would likely mean missing an opportunity to be this year’s passing leader. However, there’s a big chance fans care more about any of it than Dak himself.
Key Dak Prescott’s stats through Week 17
- 4,482 passing yards (first in the NFL)
- 280 passing yards per game (first)
- 30 passing touchdowns (third)
- 397 completions (first)
- Selected to the Pro Bowl Games
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