The Dallas Cowboys are coming up on a prime time game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 14, and even though both teams have a low shot of making it to the postseason, it’s still shaping up to be an exciting game. Now, however, the NFL has announced punishments for multiple Dallas Cowboys players, including wide receiver George Pickens, ahead of their Vikings showdown.
Every week during the season, the NFL announces penalizes for players for actions taken during the previous week’s games. The NFL notes on their official website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity” and that “the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures.”
So, when players misbehave, in theory, they’re held accountable. Of course, there’s always controversy about who should and shouldn’t be punished and the final decision, but this is the NFL, and what would it be without controversy?
NFL Announces Punishment Decision for George Pickens and Multiple Cowboys Players
On Saturday, December 13, the NFL announced punishments for George Pickens, Hunter Luepke and James Houston of the Dallas Cowboys for actions taken during their game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, December 4.
For Pickens, they’re slapping him with a $11,593 facemask fine for “unnecessary roughness” for actions taken at the 1:25 mark in the second quarter of the game. They’re also giving Hunter Luepke a $8,537 fine for “use of the helmet” and “unnecessary roughness” at the 15:00 mark in the very first quarter and James Houston $5,722 for a “blow to the head/neck” at the 8:26 mark in the fourth quarter of the game.
Houston’s fine is especially concerning because it was against Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff . But, $5,722 is on the low end of fines, so he got off easily.
According to a statement from the NFL, the funds raised from those fines will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Dallas Cowboys Still Have a Chance at the Postseason
After the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Detroit Lions, their shot at making the postseason dwindled. Going into the team’s game against the Vikings, the Cowboys have a 11% chance of making the playoffs. If they win, that goes up to 15%, and if they lose, it goes down to 2%.
The Vikings are in a worse situation, though. They already have a less than 1% chance of making the postseason. So, they’re playing for pride at this point.
On Thursday, December 11, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was asked about the pressure that he’s facing knowing that the Cowboys’ next game is a must-win to have any chance at the playoffs.
“It’s not heavy,” Prescott said . “Even if I feel like I think about it a lot. I say that to say, like I want that. That’s unfortunately the position that we’ve put ourselves in.”
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