<\/p>\n
As the Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> close out the 2025 NFL season, attention turns to Week 18<\/strong>, when the team faces the New York Giants<\/strong> in East Rutherford. For the 7-8-1 Cowboys, the matchup carries no playoff implications, as Dallas has already been eliminated from postseason contention. Yet, the team is motivated to finish the year on a high note, building momentum and pride heading into the offseason.<\/p>\n The Cowboys enter Week 18 on a positive note after defeating the Washington Commanders 30-23<\/strong> in Week 17, snapping a three-game losing streak. The win marked Dallas\u2019 first victory in four contests, and the team will be aiming for consecutive wins<\/strong> to close the season.<\/p>\n Quarterback Dak Prescott<\/strong>, a four-time Pro Bowler, has led the team through a season of highs and lows, and the matchup against the Giants provides an opportunity to reinforce leadership and team standards. While the game may be technically \u201cnon-bearing\u201d in terms of playoff stakes, Prescott and the Cowboys view it as a chance to end the season with discipline, effort, and professionalism<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Week 17 was not without drama. Prescott was involved in a contentious incident after taking a hard hit from Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu<\/strong>. The sequence occurred at the 5:58 mark of the third quarter: Prescott was sacked by Von Miller<\/strong>, and shortly afterward, several Washington players moved in to tackle the quarterback again.<\/p>\n Luvu delivered a late hit<\/strong> on Prescott as he was spiking the ball in frustration. Replay review indicated that Luvu likely did not realize Prescott had already been sacked. Nonetheless, the tackle was ruled excessive<\/strong>, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty<\/strong> against Luvu, which negated Miller\u2019s sack and imposed a 15-yard penalty on the Commanders.<\/p>\n Social media captured the moment and reactions highlighted that the incident appeared to be a heat-of-the-moment mistake<\/strong> rather than intentional malice:<\/p>\n \u201cClearly a mistake as Luvu didn\u2019t realize Dak was down in the heat of the moment.\u201d \u2014 Mark Tyler, Hogs Haven<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The NFL Officiating Department<\/strong> routinely reviews all unnecessary roughness penalties for potential fines or additional discipline. In Week 17 alone, the league issued fines for 21 unnecessary roughness incidents<\/strong>, with notable fines against Azeez Al-Shaair<\/strong> of the Houston Texans and Alontae Taylor<\/strong> of the New Orleans Saints, each receiving $23,186 for helmet-related infractions.<\/p>\n Fortunately for Luvu, he was not included in the NFL\u2019s Week 17 fines list<\/strong>, as announced via the league\u2019s gameday accountability report. The Commanders linebacker has now avoided another substantial fine, though his history indicates a pattern of aggressive play.<\/p>\n Frankie Luvu has previously been fined eight times in his career<\/strong>, totaling $245,242. In 2025 alone, he has been penalized for three hip-drop tackles, with his third violation resulting in a $100,000 fine<\/strong> instead of a suspension after appeal. Luvu\u2019s disciplinary record highlights the league\u2019s ongoing focus on player safety<\/strong> and proper tackling techniques, especially regarding quarterbacks.<\/p>\n As Dallas travels to East Rutherford for their season finale, the focus will be on finishing strong<\/strong>. While the game carries no playoff stakes, the Cowboys aim to:<\/p>\n Build momentum heading into the offseason<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reward fans with a competitive performance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reinforce team culture and standards under Prescott\u2019s leadership<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Prescott, who has endured a season of highs and lows, will be the focal point of the offense and a mentor for younger players, emphasizing professionalism regardless of the standings.<\/p>\n The Commanders, who were involved in the Week 17 incident with Prescott, will also be on the road in Week 18, facing the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong>, at Lincoln Financial Field. This provides context for the competitive environment both teams will face, as each squad looks to end their season positively<\/strong> despite missing the playoffs.<\/p>\n One of the defining narratives of the Cowboys\u2019 2025 season has been Dak Prescott\u2019s leadership<\/strong>. The late-hit incident against Luvu, while unfortunate, underscores the physical and emotional challenges NFL quarterbacks face weekly<\/strong>. Prescott\u2019s ability to maintain composure, avoid injury, and continue leading the team reflects his professionalism and dedication.<\/p>\n By approaching Week 18 as an opportunity to end the season with effort and pride<\/strong>, Prescott sets an example for younger players and reinforces the importance of team culture over individual statistics<\/strong>. The Cowboys\u2019 performance in their final game will be a reflection of that mindset.<\/p>\n While the final game may not affect playoff seeding, there are several key storylines for Cowboys fans to follow in Week 18:<\/p>\n Dak Prescott\u2019s leadership<\/strong> \u2013 Watching how Prescott manages the game and supports his teammates despite a lost season.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Team resilience<\/strong> \u2013 Assessing how the Cowboys close out the season after a turbulent campaign.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Player safety and discipline<\/strong> \u2013 Monitoring how the NFL handles late hits and unnecessary roughness incidents moving forward.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Momentum for 2026<\/strong> \u2013 Identifying performances that may influence roster decisions and development heading into the offseason.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n For the Dallas Cowboys, Week 18 against the New York Giants is more than a formality. It is a chance to finish the season on a positive note<\/strong>, uphold team culture, and demonstrate resilience and professionalism<\/strong> under Dak Prescott\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n While the outcome will not alter the playoffs, it will leave fans, players, and coaches with a sense of pride and closure. Prescott\u2019s ability to lead through adversity, stay focused after incidents like the Luvu late hit, and guide the team through a challenging season underscores his value as both a quarterback and a locker-room leader<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In the end, Dallas Cowboys fans will be watching not just for the score<\/strong>, but for the standards, effort, and commitment Prescott and his teammates display on the field\u2014a fitting way to close the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys Prepare for Season Finale Against Giants As the Dallas Cowboys close out the 2025 NFL season, attention turns to Week 18,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":134076,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nRiding Momentum: Back-to-Back Wins in Sight<\/h2>\n
Prescott\u2019s Late-Hit Incident Against Washington<\/h2>\n
![\"NFL](\"https:\/\/assets.newsweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2716005-dak-prescott-dallas-cowboys.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1\")
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NFL Review and Fines<\/h2>\n
Luvu\u2019s Fine History<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead: Cowboys vs. Giants<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
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Washington\u2019s Season Finale<\/h2>\n
Prescott\u2019s Leadership Amid Adversity<\/h2>\n
Key Takeaways for Fans<\/h2>\n
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Conclusion: A Season Finale With Purpose<\/h2>\n