The Dallas Cowboys won’t be in the playoffs for the 2025-26 season, but they still have a reason to give it their all against the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day. At this point, the Cowboys are playing for pride, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The Cowboys hold a 6-8-1 record heading into the game, while the Commanders sit at 4-11, meaning Washington is also out of postseason contention. Even though there are no playoff stakes in this matchup, Christmas Day sporting events are always fun and festive, making it an interesting game to watch.
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### NFL Announces Fines for Two Cowboys Players
Before the game, the NFL announced disciplinary actions against two Cowboys players for incidents during their Week 15 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 14. These players will face fines for their conduct.
Every week during the season, the NFL issues punishments to players for actions taken in the previous week’s games. According to the NFL’s official website, these measures are designed “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” Prior to the season, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on specific rules violations that warrant these accountability actions.
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### Dallas Cowboys Players in Trouble With the NFL
On Saturday, December 20, the NFL announced that Dallas Cowboys cornerback Caelen Carson was fined $5,686 for “unnecessary roughness” and “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing” during an incident at the 3:07 mark of the second quarter against the Vikings.
Additionally, cornerback Reddy Steward was fined $4,667 for “unnecessary roughness” and a “horse-collar tackle” at the 3:08 mark in the first quarter of the same game.
It wasn’t a great day for Cowboys cornerbacks, with both players facing league sanctions. However, the NFL states that the funds collected from these fines will be directed to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need” and the NFL Foundation, which furthers efforts to promote health, safety, and wellness for athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.
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### Jerry Jones Reflects on Cowboys’ Season
The Dallas Cowboys dropped their third straight game on Sunday, December 21, falling to the Los Angeles Chargers. Shortly afterward, the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention following the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday evening.
With just two regular-season games remaining, the Cowboys are now in a period of reflection. After the Chargers game, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones took responsibility for the team’s struggles, particularly regarding the roster.
Jones approached the situation with humility but remained optimistic about the future of the Cowboys, signaling a positive outlook as the organization looks ahead to the next season.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/nfl-punishes-multiple-players-christmas-game/
