Is Dak Prescott playing today? Update on Cowboys QB for Week 18 finale vs Commanders

Dallas Cowboys franchise quarterback Dak Prescott is having one of the best seasons of his career. The veteran shot-caller earned a Pro Bowl nod on the back of solid performances during the 2023 season. Prescott has led the Cowboys to another postseason berth, and he's a win away from securing the No. 2 seed.

Dallas faces the Washington Commanders in its season finale, and Prescott will play. The Cowboys cannot secure the top seed in the NFC, but they can win their division so there's no incentive to rest players in Week 18. Hence, Prescott will look to add to his 4,237 passing yards for the season.

Cowboys' playoff picture: Who will Dallas face in the NFL Playoffs?

The Dallas Cowboys have secured their place in the postseason. However, their opponents in the Wild Card round have not yet been established.

Dallas will secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC Conference if it beats the Washington Commanders in its season finale. If the Cowboys achieve this, they could face off against one of the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, or the Minnesota Vikings.

The Packers are Dallas' likeliest opponents, but if they lose, the scenario changes. If the Packers are defeated, then the Seahawks, Buccaneers, Saints, and Vikings could all end up being the No. 7 seed and play Dallas in the Wild Card round.

Furthermore, if Dallas drops to the No. 3 seed, it could face the Los Angeles Rams or Green Bay Packers.

If Dallas drops even lower to the fifth seed, its potential opponents are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, or Atlanta Falcons. That's because the No. 5 seed in the NFC will play the NFC South champs.

NFC Conference Playoff Standings

The NFC Conference has Super Bowl contenders, dark horses, and potential bogey teams. Here's a look at the playoff standings ahead of Week 18.

1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Clinched the NFC No. 1 seed.

2. Dallas Cowboys (11-5): Clinched a playoff berth.

3. Detroit Lions (11-5): Clinched the NFC North.

4. Tampa Buccaneers (8-8): Currently lead the NFC South.

Wild Card

5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): Clinched a playoff berth.

6. Los Angeles Rams (9-7): Clinched a playoff berth.

7. Green Bay Packers (8-8): Will be a Wild Card if they beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

In the hunt

8. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

9. New Orleans Saints (8-8)

10. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)