Dak Prescott Wants to Play in Week 18 - Even If the Stakes Are Low
There’s technically nothing on the line for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. No playoff seeding to fight for, no win-and-in scenario, no divisional crown hanging in the balance.
Just a date with the New York Giants and a chance to close the regular season with a win. For some, that’s a throwaway game.
For Dak Prescott, it’s personal.
“Lot of pride,” Prescott said when asked why he wants to suit up. “That’s another reason I want to play.”
And that’s not just lip service. Prescott’s never finished a season below .500 when healthy-not in high school, not in college, not in the NFL.
That matters to him. Even with a tie on the record, he sees Week 18 as a chance to keep that streak alive.
“It’s a huge difference,” he said. “It’s just pride. It’s pride, honestly.”
Now, we know how this usually goes. A star quarterback, the face of the franchise, healthy heading into the playoffs-most teams would bubble wrap that guy and keep him far away from a meaningless game.
But Prescott sees it differently. He’s not just playing for wins and losses.
He’s playing because he loves the game. And if he’s got a chance to step on the field, he’s going to take it.
“I love this game,” he said. “I love any opportunity that I get to play it.
So with that being said, yeah, if I get to go out there, I'm going to give my best. I'm going to prepare the same way.
I'm going to be the same player.”
Prescott isn’t naïve. He knows there are reasons to sit.
He knows the front office might want to have a word. But he’s not backing down without a conversation.
“I’ll have some fight back,” he said. “It depends on how it comes, what’s the purpose, what’s the reason. Obviously I understand being approached about it, but the conversations we've already had about it are for me to play.”
That last part is key-*the conversations we've already had are for me to play. * That tells you this isn’t just Prescott going rogue.
There’s been dialogue. And while nothing’s official yet, it sounds like the quarterback has made a strong case to be under center in Week 18.
Of course, the final decision may not be his to make. Prescott is the franchise.
And with the postseason on deck, the Cowboys might decide it’s not worth the risk. That’s the business side of football-protecting your most valuable asset when there’s nothing tangible to gain.
But if it’s up to Prescott, he’ll be out there. One more game.
One more chance to compete. One more time to do what he loves.
We’ll know soon enough what the Cowboys decide. But we already know where their quarterback stands.