Brian Schottenheimer Has a Reason to Push Back on Dak Prescott After Cowboys’ Christmas Day Win
DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys walked off the field on Christmas Day with a 30–23 win over the Washington Commanders, a result that brought relief, celebration, and renewed confidence. But as the locker room buzz faded, a quiet and far more complicated conversation began to take shape behind the scenes — one involving Dak Prescott’s desire to play in Week 18 and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s growing hesitation.
Prescott, a competitor through and through, made it clear after the win that he wants to stay on the field. For him, rhythm matters. Momentum matters. And after a season filled with ups and downs, the Cowboys’ quarterback believes playing in Week 18 could be essential preparation for a playoff run.
Schottenheimer, however, has reasons to pause — and they’re rooted directly in what Dallas just experienced.
A Win That Came With a Warning
The Christmas victory wasn’t flawless. While the Cowboys controlled key moments, the game exposed physical wear, offensive inconsistency, and the reality of how thin the margin is this late in the season. Prescott took hits. The offensive line showed signs of fatigue. And the Commanders’ defense found ways to disrupt Dallas’ timing, especially in high-leverage situations.
From Schottenheimer’s perspective, that’s exactly the problem.
With playoff positioning largely taking shape, every snap Prescott takes in Week 18 carries risk. One awkward hit, one rolled ankle, one unnecessary scramble could derail months of preparation. The Christmas win proved the Cowboys can survive adversity — but it also reminded the coaching staff how vulnerable even a victory can be.
Dak Prescott’s Competitive Nature
Prescott’s stance is easy to understand. Quarterbacks thrive on continuity. Sitting out can disrupt timing with receivers, dull decision-making, and break rhythm — especially for an offense that has relied heavily on precision and chemistry.
“Football is about staying sharp,” Prescott has said repeatedly throughout his career. For him, playing in Week 18 isn’t about personal stats — it’s about leadership and readiness. He believes being on the field sends a message to the locker room: the work isn’t finished.
Many veterans in the league share that mindset, preferring live reps over rest, especially when momentum feels fragile.
Schottenheimer’s Calculated View
Schottenheimer sees the same situation through a different lens. As an offensive coordinator tasked with long-term success, he must consider the broader picture. The Cowboys’ offense has already battled injuries, and Prescott has absorbed consistent punishment behind an inconsistent line.
The Christmas game highlighted how quickly things can shift. One missed block. One late hit. One coverage breakdown.
From Schottenheimer’s perspective, the goal isn’t to prove toughness in Week 18 — it’s to be fully operational when the postseason begins.
Resting Prescott, even partially, could preserve health, allow recovery, and give backups meaningful reps without jeopardizing the franchise quarterback.
A Franchise-Level Decision
This isn’t just a coaching call — it’s a franchise decision.
Prescott is the face of the Cowboys. His health, confidence, and availability define Dallas’ ceiling in the playoffs. Schottenheimer knows that protecting Prescott could be the difference between a deep postseason run and an early exit.
At the same time, benching a leader against his wishes can create tension. Players notice. They listen. And how the organization handles this decision will ripple through the locker room.
Head coach Mike McCarthy now sits between two valid perspectives: Prescott’s hunger to compete and Schottenheimer’s responsibility to manage risk.
What History Tells Us
The NFL is filled with examples of teams that pushed too hard late in the season — and paid for it. Star quarterbacks injured in “meaningless” games. Momentum lost not from rest, but from unnecessary exposure.
Conversely, there are also stories of teams that rested starters and returned rusty.
The Cowboys must decide which lesson applies to them.
The Christmas win suggests Dallas doesn’t need perfection to win — but it also showed how quickly things can unravel without elite execution.
What Comes Next
As Week 18 approaches, all eyes will be on practice participation, injury reports, and subtle comments from the coaching staff. Prescott may lobby to play. Schottenheimer may counter with caution. And the final call will reflect what the Cowboys value most at this stage of the season.
The Christmas win didn’t settle the debate — it intensified it.
Dallas proved it can win. Now it must prove it can make the right decision.
📣 Should Dak Prescott play in Week 18, or should the Cowboys protect their quarterback for the playoffs? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.
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