Brett's Cowboys Corner

The Cowboys will wrap up their 2025 season at MetLife Stadium and look back at their first year under Brian Schottenheimer, thinking about the ups and downs this season brought. Dallas will finish this year as the highest-rated passing offense. But the lowest-rated passing defense they also carried caused them to lose many games.

Dak Prescott will be looking to capture the passing title, but with many starters out, and some indication that we will play Joe Milton. I am not sure how many snaps Dak will get in this final game.

A loss on Sunday could slot the Cowboys around pick 11-14, the tie is going to push Dallas behind any team with the same amount of wins. If the Cowboys beat the Giants they could fall all the way back to pick 18.

The Cowboys have made it clear they are playing to win, Dallas has 9 wins in a row against the Giants. Considering they are starting Dak, he will look to protect his 14 consecutive win streak of NY. Though the rookie Jaxson Dart is standing on the other side looking to start a new era in the Cowboys vs. Giants rivalry.

DALLAS	NEW YORK
Jaydon Blue: The rookie will get a bulk of the carries this week. With two contracts at RB expiring, Blue can show something and fight for a job next season.	Jaxson Dart: Looking to make his first start against Dallas, and to add a new spark to this matchup.
Alijah Clark: Played great special teams, but will have some reps at safety and can earn a shot at winning a starting job over the summer.	Abdul Carter: 66 pressures, leads all rookies. Cowboys gave up 6 sacks last week, and Carter can submit his rookie campaign.
Hakeem Adeniji: Replacing the injured TJ Bass, he will have a chance to play well and stick around on the roster.	Deonte Banks: Struggled back in week 2, and will look at a rematch against George Pickens.

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The Keys to Victory-

1 – A Chance to See Young Guys.

The Cowboys have confirmed that five players will be out for Sunday’s game. DeMarvion Overshown, Shavon Revel, TJ Bass, and both running backs Javonte Williams and Malik Davis.

This will be a big opportunity for Jaydon Blue, the late draft pick out of Texas. Blue has struggled to understand some of the mental parts of playing the position, but he should likely get a bulk of the workload. We will see some Hunter Luepke, specifically for pass blocking and hopefully the Cowboys will be able to activate Phil Mafah, another late round draft pick who has spent the year on IR.

On the other side, we will see more Shemar James and hopefully some other depth chart safeties and cornerbacks in the game.

Also, if Dak gets out of the game, we can see some backup linemen and some other wide receivers.

2 – Make Everyone Stat Happy.

As the Cowboys had a successful season offensively. If the record were better, you would argue that Dak Prescott should be an MVP candidate.

Dak currently leads the NFL in passing yards, with the vision of the passing title on the horizon. Matt Stafford is in second, less than 100 yards behind Dak. I know the start is the most important thing for Dak, saying he started all 17 games healthy, something that he has struggled with recently.

There is a chance LA will still be playing for something come their 3:25 kickoff. So the Cowboys will have to decide how they play Prescott.

George Pickens currently sits at 1420 receiving yards, and has the most successful “first year” season as a receiver in Dallas. If he gets another 103 yards, Pickens will have the 3rd highest receiving yard season as a Cowboy.

3 – Get Out Healthy.

As always…in these final games with an eliminated team, stay healthy. Let’s get ready for a healthy and prosperous 2026.

Games like these are perfect to treat like a preseason game, this is the most real-life experience you can get for some players.

I know Dak and others want to play. But it is more important to think about next January when you are hopefully preparing for the postseason.

Though for draft seeding, I would prefer a loss. I know avoiding a ‘losing’ season is important for this first-year coaching staff. And per Schottenheimer, it is important for the players as well. Although Jaxson Dart may want to show out, the Cowboys are better here.