Dak Prescott's Drive: Why a Week 18 Win Matters for the Cowboys' Pride

In professional sports, the final games of a season for teams eliminated from playoff contention are often labeled as 'meaningless.' For Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, however, no game wearing the star is without significance. As the 2025 NFL season concludes, Prescott has made his intentions clear: he wants to play and win in Week 18 against the New York Giants, driven by a powerful sense of personal and organizational pride.

The Stakes of a .500 Record

Following a Week 17 victory over the Washington Commanders that improved their record to 7-8-1, the Cowboys face a final game with substantial symbolic weight. A win would push the team to an 8-8-1 finish, while a loss would mean a 7-9-1 record. Prescott was unequivocal about the difference, stating, "Big difference. A lot of pride. To the point, I want to play. Any season of me being out there, I've never had, in all [of] my career, a season under .500. So that tie is going to come into play really well." This commitment underscores a professional ethos where personal standards and team legacy transcend the immediate playoff picture.

Historical Context and Organizational Pride

Prescott's drive connects to a broader organizational history. The Cowboys have not endured consecutive losing seasons in over two decades, with the last instance being a three-year stretch from 2000 to 2002. Avoiding a sub-.500 finish is about more than just the 2025 ledger; it's about upholding a standard for one of the NFL's most iconic franchises. This context adds weight to the Week 18 matchup, transforming it from a procedural end to a season into a battle for seasonal dignity.

The Coach's Dilemma: Competitiveness vs. Risk Management

The decision to play starters in a finale with no postseason implications presents a complex challenge for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The primary concern is injury risk, a point magnified by Prescott enduring a season-high six sacks in the Week 17 win. Schottenheimer acknowledged the tension, saying, "Of course, I don’t want to get him hit six times... I don’t want Dak to get hit like that." The coaching staff must weigh the value of competitive integrity, player morale, and the pursuit of a winning record against the potential cost of a significant injury to the franchise quarterback.

Prescott's Mindset and Love for the Game

At the core of this discussion is Prescott's own mentality. His desire to play stems from a genuine passion for competition. "I love this game. I love any opportunity that I get to play it," he remarked. While he understands the strategic arguments for resting, his competitive fire leans toward suiting up. This attitude often defines team leaders and sets a cultural tone, demonstrating to teammates that effort and pride are non-negotiable, regardless of the standings.

Conclusion: The Meaning in the 'Meaningless'

The Dallas Cowboys' Week 18 game against the New York Giants may lack playoff implications, but it is far from meaningless. For Dak Prescott, it represents a chance to uphold a personal record of never finishing a season with a losing record and to steer the franchise clear of a negative mark in the standings. It challenges the coaching staff to make prudent decisions for the future while respecting the competitive spirit of the present. Ultimately, this finale is a test of professional pride—a quality that, for players like Prescott, makes every game count. The outcome will write the final chapter of a challenging season and set a tone of resilience heading into the next.