To end their bittersweet 2025 regular season, the 7-9-1 Dallas Cowboys were looking forward to their final game against the New York Giants. However, their defense, once again, shot themselves in the foot. And this time, the NFL’s disciplinary hammer will soon fall on defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

In the Giants’ first offensive drive with 12:35 on the clock in the third quarter from their own 38-yard line, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambled for five yards on first down. But seeing three Cowboys running towards him, he opted to slide on the turf. Just then, Quinnen Williams landed a brutal tackle to his head.

While it clearly happened because of Williams’ momentum and Dart not seeing him approach this quickly, the immediate verdict, as it always does, fell on the defense. The referee handed the 28-year-old a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.

To make matters worse for Dallas’ No. 92, he repeated the same mistake. On the final pass of the same drive, which eventually became a 13-yard touchdown pass, Williams got flagged for unnecessary roughness once again. However, it was declined. Additionally, defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku got disqualified as well. But for Williams, a fine from the league seems all but confirmed for that first down hit on Jaxson Dart.

The fine for unnecessary roughness can range anywhere from $11,500 to $23,000. And for Williams, it won’t be the first time. In Week 3, when Williams was still playing for the New York Jets, he got fined twice in Week 3. The first came for a facemask grab on Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back, Bucky Irving, costing him $11,593. He followed it with a hip-drop tackle on Irvin again, this time carrying a fine of $17,389.

Since then, Williams has avoided trouble with the league all the way through Week 17. This season, he managed a career-low four penalties for 40 yards, except for his rookie season, where he only had one 15-yard penalty for face mask. Other than the incident against the Giants and the face mask grab against the Bucs, he only has neutral zone infraction flags for five yards each this season. Now, it looks like he’ll finish the season with another big cut from his next check.

However, this won’t be the only way that the Cowboys will be hurting this week. When the Dallas defense tried its best to stop the Giants, it came up short in the biggest way possible. Add an offensive meltdown to this, and the Cowboys are ending their 2025 campaign with a sour taste in their mouth.

Cowboys left grasping at straws against Jaxson Dart & Co.

First off, the Cowboys decided to play it safe on the offense. After posting 70 yards on 7 throws, franchise quarterback Dak Prescott left the game in the third quarter without a single touchdown. Backup quarterback Joe Milton III took up the reins and tried to lead the team. The run game with Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah brought in two rushing scores to close the gap to 17-24. But the offense can only do so much. Against Jaxson Dart, nothing worked.

Dart had a field day, going 22-of-32 for 231 yards and two touchdowns against zero picks. Devin Singletary brought in another rushing score, and the field goals did the rest. Final score: 34-17.

The Giants controlled the clock for 33:07 minutes to Dallas’ 26:03, and completely owned the final game of the season. New York can now go back to the drawing board on a positive note after a forgetful season. Their draft positioning can bring them premium talent in the 2026 offseason, but they also need a new head coach before that.

Top Stories

Cowboys Fire Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus: Contract, Salary, NFL Earnings & More

10 Biggest NFL Draft Busts of the Last Decade, Including Trey Lance and Justin Fields

Andy Reid Sets Record Straight on Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Future As Retirement Question Continue to Mount

Russell Wilson Announces Retirement Stance as Giants QB Shares Hidden Injury News

John Harbaugh’s Feelings Clear on Ravens’ Future as Firing Calls Mount Against HC

As for the Cowboys, they can finally start their defensive rebuild. The ownership has already hinted at a large-scale renovation for the entire franchise. But before we get to any of that, Quinnen Williams awaits the league’s final verdict on his flag.