The Dallas Cowboys had their best performance of the season on Monday night, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 to improve to 4-5-1 and remain in second place in the NFC East.
Leading the way was star quarterback Dak Prescott, who completed 25 of 33 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns, with WR George Pickens serving as his primary target all night.
Pickens finished with nine receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown, a performance that will unfortunately lead to a potential fine from the NFL after he was penalized for his touchdown celebration.
Similar to Lions WR Jameson Williams on Sunday night, Pickens jumped onto and hugged the goal post after scoring. The NFL has made it clear that any celebrations involving the goal post are prohibited. Williams, like Pickens, received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which could result in discipline - just as former Steelers WR Antonio Brown was fined over $11,000 for the same action several years ago.
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It's certainly not new for George Pickens to have the league dip into his pockets from time to time for his on-field actions. However, this year the NFL has really tightened the rules on what warrants a postgame fine.
Taunting, unsportsmanlike conduct, and actions that jeopardize player safety-like helmet-to-helmet hits, hip-drop tackles, or unnecessary roughness-are all subject to discipline.
Fines are typically announced on Saturdays at 4 p.m. ET, unless the infraction is serious enough to warrant a suspension, which is usually announced during the week. A recent example of this came on Monday, when Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase was suspended for one game after spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey.
Nonetheless, Pickens seems to have found his home in Dallas, currently enjoying a career year with 58 receptions for 908 yards and seven touchdowns, and is well-positioned to earn a major long-term extension with the Cowboys this offseason - or elsewhere if Dallas doesn't make an offer he's willing to accept.
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