Schottenheimer's, Cowboys' approach to Week 18 made zero sense

1 week ago 2

The Dallas Cowboys played their final regular season game in 2025 against the New York Giants with not much to gain. Aside from a minor winning streak, beating the Giants wouldn't do anything for the Cowboys except worsen their draft position. Thankfully, the Cowboys got blown out in the regular season finale, 34-17.

However, there was plenty to lose. Brian Schottenheimer choosing to play many of his starters and risking a serious injury that could alter the 2026 didn't make much sense, yet that decision was made so the Cowboys could finish the season on a high note. It was a head-scratching strategy going into the game, and much of what the team did in the loss to the Giants made little sense.

Kicking a field goal on their second possession

The Cowboys played quarterback Dak Prescott in the first half, and on the second series, the offense moved deep into Giants territory. Facing a 4th-and-goal from the four-yard line, Schottenheimer opted to kick a field goal to tie the game rather than go for it.

If you've decided to play the starters, why not go for the touchdown? There's nothing on the line; a loss doesn't hurt you, and there's not much to be gained by tying the game. If Schottenheimer wanted to play to win the game, go for the touchdown.

This decision came just one week after Schottenheimer went 6-of-6 on fourth downs in the win Christmas. Knowing when to be aggressive has been a big issue for Schottenheimer all year, and he made the wrong call, again.

Playing Prescott

It's very difficult to understand why Prescott played in this contest at all. Prescott felt the need to play in all 17 games after missing half of last season and the team acquiesced to their QB, but it never made sense to put the franchise QB in harm's way.

How the Cowboys played in the first half when Prescott did play, made their decision even crazier. The play calling was conservative, and there weren't many intermediate or downfield throws. Prescott threw 11 short passes for 70 yards and no touchdowns in a waste of time.

If the team wanted Prescott to play, why not let him throw the ball more? Why not allow him to pad his stats in one of the veteran QBs best seasons? If the team wanted Prescott to have a chance at leading the NFL in passing yards, a first time for the organization, why not let him air it out?

Playing Prescott only to hand the ball off 14 times in the first half made the decision to play him pointlessly irresponsible.

Jaydon Blue's coming out party

It was a frustrating year for the rookie running back, who reportedly needed to take a more professional approach. While that might have been the case, Blue showed that he has the juice to play and could've helped the Cowboys win games this season.

In Blue's first extended playing time, the fifth-round pick ran for 64 yards and a score, showing patience and the burst that made him an intriguing prospect. Much of that damage was done in the first half, and four of Blue's second half carries all went for negative yards. The other went for zero.

Blue was impressive in action, which should bring up questions about why he hasn't played more? Not giving the rookie runner more opportunities late in the year, when there was nothing left to play for, made little sense. That point was clear in the Week 18 loss.

KaVontae Turpin hitting the turbo button

For most of the season, Turpin had been taking a slow, methodical approach to his returns, often never running at full speed. The results haven't been good, and Turpin has looked nothing like the All-Pro he's been in his career.

Against the GIants, Turpin finally ran full force on his second kickoff opportunity, and it resulted in his best return of the year. The 84-yard sprint setup the Cowboys with a red zone possession, and the offense punched it in two plays later to take a 10-6 lead.

Turpin's return strategy made no sense all year, which made it even more curious why he finally decided to go full speed in the last game of the season.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Schottenheimer's, Cowboys' approach to Week 18 made zero sense

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