The Dallas Cowboys aren't playing for much other than pride in Week 18, which has been the case for each of their past two games. However, it's been business as usual for them, and more specifically, Pro Bowl quarterback Dak Prescott.
Speculation about whether the Cowboys will shut down Prescott and/or other starters to avoid injury and improve their draft position has lingered, which is understandable. Is there any benefit to putting additional wear and tear on his body in meaningless contests? That remains an ongoing debate between football purists and realists.
Nevertheless, Prescott has continued slinging the rock at a high level despite the Cowboys being eliminated from playoff contention. His efforts have him on the verge of franchise history, which has seemingly been a factor in playing time. It wouldn't be shocking to see this remain the case in an otherwise insignificant regular-season finale against the New York Giants.
Dak Prescott's pursuit of franchise history may affect Cowboys' game plan vs. Giants
Prescott has a chance to become the first Cowboys signal-caller ever to lead the NFL in passing yards. He has a slight upper hand in what appears to be a two-horse race between him and the Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford. With that in mind, Dallas may increase the intensity versus the Giants rather than take its foot off the gas like some anticipate.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones reportedly hinted at his star gunslinger's day being cut short. Meanwhile, Dallas first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has gone on the record to say they "plan on finishing strong and having [Prescott] play." Do with that information what you will.
We're going to call Jones' bluff. He's a prideful man, perhaps even to a fault (way more than Cowboys Nation would like). You mean to tell us his mind isn't on Prescott potentially accomplishing something no one has since the club was founded in 1960?
Pushing for Prescott's record is just about the only on-field motivation the Cowboys have on the line in their NFC East clash with the Giants. Of course, personal accolades aren't the priority; winning is. Yet, teams and players don't take these opportunities lightly, and neither will Jones, so consider this their Super Bowl!
Entering their respective last games of the 2025 campaign, Prescott (4,482) has a 34-yard advantage over Stafford (4,448) atop the leaderboard. Jared Goff (4,233) of the Detroit Lions is a distant third behind them. Don't be surprised if the historical ramifications of this race are too much to ignore for the Cowboys.