The Cowboys will be starting Dak Prescott in Week 18, but for how long is anyone's guess.
We have heard Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer repeatedly state over the last two weeks that it is important to win the final two games of the season.
With no playoffs, the Cowboys rolled into Northwest Stadium and beat the Washington Commanders 30-23. Now, attention turns to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Many want Dak Prescott to be rested and let Joe Milton have a full game, but Schottenheimer has stated he wants to win and finish the year 5-1 in the division and with an 8-8-1 record.
He hasn't wavered from that.
Well, until now that is.
“Dak (Prescott) will start the game," Schottenheimer said. "Dak will certainly play. … We’re gonna play the game and see how the game goes.”
Hmm. "See how the game goes."
Reading between the lines here, I get the sense that Mr. Prescott won't be playing the full game in Week 18.
In fact, there could be a real chance Dak only plays the first half, or quarter, before being told to sit, and it becomes The Joe Milton Show. ... as a source is suggesting to our Mike Fisher.
"I'm hearing from inside The Star that Dak wants to be able to take pride in rehabbing from nasty injuries to play at 17 games in the season,'' Fish reports. "So I'm told the idea might get to get him his start - or a full quarter, or half, or whatever - and then pull him out of harm's way while giving 'Bazooka Joe'' a needed look.''
The back-and-forth over Dallas resting starters has dominated the media landscape for weeks, and with good reason.
You don't want to put your star players at unnecessary risk for a game against the lowly Giants when there is nothing to be gained but the aesthetic look of your season record.
We know there is little difference between 7-9-1 and 8-8-1, but here we are with the Cowboys, to an extent, gambling with their future.
Prescott will start on Sunday, but my guess is he won't be in long enough to even work up too much of a sweat.