The Cowboys won't reach the playoffs, but their quarterback can still make history
- - The Cowboys won't reach the playoffs, but their quarterback can still make history
Andrew GreifJanuary 4, 2026 at 6:15 PM
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Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 25. (G Fiume / Getty Images)
Roger Staubach never did it. Neither did Troy Aikman. Ditto for Tony Romo.
But Dak Prescott? He could accomplish something Sunday his Cowboys quarterback predecessors never did.
A Dallas quarterback has never led the NFL in passing. Entering Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale, Prescott's 4,482 yards are the most in the league, edging Matthew Stafford of the Rams by a narrow 34 yards.
Should Prescott earn the league’s passing title, it won’t assuage the sting of the Cowboys missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after making it three straight from 2021-23, but the record "would be cool, but I’m just playing the game," Prescott told reporters this week.
Having an elite passer remains a prerequisite to have a chance at success in the NFL. Of the 14 passers who entered this week with the most touchdown passes, 10 had helped their teams already secure playoff berths, and two more could join them in the postseason. Quarterbacks are throwing touchdowns at the highest percentage since 2018, and interceptions at a rate that tie for a record-low, according to Football Reference.
Yet statistically, 2025 saw a downturn in raw passing numbers. Entering Week 18, the league average for passing yards per game stood at 211.5 yards, the lowest average since 2008, a dip that some have attributed to kickoff rules that have shortened the average drive.
This season, Prescott leads the league not only in yards but his 397 completions and 589 attempts also are NFL-highs. He earned Pro Bowl honors, has four fourth-quarter comebacks — more than all but one of his previous nine seasons — all with an interception percentage that is lower than his career average. His percentage of on-target and bad throws, as rated by Football Reference, all are better than his career averages.
Dallas entered Week 18 with 49 offensive touchdowns, eighth-most in the NFL, and the league's fourth-highest scoring average. It wasn't enough to offset what has statistically been the NFL's worst defense, in points allowed.
"I’m not going to try to chase" the record, Prescott said. "I’m not going out there and throw it every time. It may actually be opposite of that, just trying to play a smart game, clean game, most importantly get a win. The records will come if they come."
Whether the passing title belongs to Prescott or someone else could come down to snap count. Though he will start against the Giants, Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer has indicated he expects to play backup Joe Milton at some point.
"I’m not gonna try to do too much early and make some big plays so I can get out of the game," Prescott said. "If he says two touchdowns or three touchdowns or 'this score, you’re coming out,' that may put a little bit pressure. But me not knowing when it is, and if it is, just go in and play my game and be smart."
Though Los Angeles already has a playoff berth wrapped up, Stafford will play Sunday against the Cardinals. Coming off a three-interception game last week, the 37-year-old Stafford might be trying to make a statement in finishing off one of the best statistical seasons of his 17-year career, and perhaps win over Most Valuable Player voters in the process.
What else we're watching in Week 18
Saints (6-10) at Falcons (7-9): A Falcons win assures the Panthers the NFC South division title. These teams are quietly putting together strong closing statements, with the Falcons winning their last three games and the Saints their last four. Bijan Robinson needs 145 scrimmage yards to join Marshall Faulk (1999) and Chris Johnson (2009) as the only players with 2,400-plus scrimmage yards in a season.
Cowboys (7-8-1) at Giants (3-13): The Cowboys have won 14 consecutive games over the Giants when Prescott starts. That's the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback over an opponent since Miami's Bob Griese over Buffalo (17 straight), per NBC Sports research.
Browns (4-12) at Bengals (6-10): Myles Garrett's pursuit of the NFL's single-season sack record has one final opportunity. Garrett is a half-sack from tying the record, and one sack from owning it outright.
Packers (9-6-1) at Vikings (8-8): Green Bay is guaranteed the NFC's No. 3 seed even though it has lost three consecutive games. Minnesota has won four straight.
Titans (3-13) at Jaguars (12-4): Jacksonville will win the AFC South with a victory. Its seven-game winning streak is the second-longest in team history.
Colts (8-8) at Texans (11-5): The longest active win streak belongs to the Texans, who have won eight straight behind a defense leading the NFL in yards and points allowed.
Chiefs (6-10) at Raiders (2-14): Las Vegas, losers of 10 straight, is guaranteed the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with a loss. Amid questions about his future, Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce (1,077) is two catches from passing Terrell Owens for eighth all-time in career receptions.
Dolphins (7-9) at Patriots (13-3): The Patriots rank fifth in both average points scored and allowed. The Dolphins have won five of their last seven games.
Jets (3-13) at Bills (11-5): The final game in Highmark Stadium, which opened in 1973, will see the Bills play a Jets team that has lost four straight games by 23 or more points, tied for the longest such streak in NFL history.
Chargers (11-5) at Broncos (13-3): Denver coach Sean Payton has the opportunity to join Andy Reid and Tom Coughlin as the only coaches to earn the No. 1 playoff seed in both the AFC and NFC. Also, with a Broncos victory, Bo Nix can tie Russell Wilson for the most wins in a quarterback's first two seasons.
Lions (8-8) at Bears (11-5): Record watch is on: Caleb Williams is just 270 yards away from becoming the first Bears quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season.
Commanders (4-12) at Eagles (11-5): Philadelphia can finish as either the NFC's second or third seed. A second seed would require the Eagles to win and the Bears to lose.
Cardinals (3-13) at Rams (11-5): In a fascinating subplot, Rams receiver Puka Nacua and Cardinals tight end Trey McBride enter this game tied for the league lead with 119 catches.
Ravens (8-8) at Steelers (9-7): Pittsburgh has won nine of the last 12 in the series. Whoever wins will earn the last AFC playoff spot. A Ravens loss would give coach John Harbaugh only his third losing season in 18 years.
Source: “AOL Sports”
