The Dallas Cowboys suffered their fifth loss of the season in Week 9, falling 27-17 to the Arizona Cardinals in their “Monday Night Football” matchup.
Trailing by 10 points with just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense attempted to cut into the Cardinals’ lead. Dallas wide receiver George Pickens made a contested first-down catch to move the chains as the offense worked its way down the field at AT&T Stadium.
After the catch, Pickens held out the ball toward Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke. An official, who was standing right in front of the incident, immediately threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The taunting penalty moved the Cowboys back 15 yards at a crucial juncture of the game.
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The incident could also prove costly for Pickens’ wallet. Enforcement of taunting penalties was a point of emphasis for the NFL before the 2025 season.
The first offense of a taunting penalty yields an $11,593 fine. Upon second offense, the fine jumps to $17,389.
Pickens was fined $11,593 for his first taunting penalty of the season during the Cowboys’ Week 7 win over the Washington Commanders, and there’s a good chance he’s hit with another fine this weekend.
Pickens’ Week 9 offense will likely yield his fourth fine of the 2025 season. After the Cowboys’ 40-37 overtime win over the division-rival New York Giants in Week 2, the NFL issued two separate fines to the fourth-year wide receiver for “removal of the helmet” ($14,491) and a “violent gesture” ($14,491).
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Pickens finished Monday night’s loss with six catches for 79 yards. Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb led the way for the Cowboys receiving unit, reeling in seven passes for 85 yards.
The Cowboys are now 3-5-1 through the first nine games of their 2025 NFL campaign. After their bye in Week 10, the team will return to the field for another “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11.