New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns was among several players fined after the Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
The NFL announced Saturday that Burns received an \$11,593 fine for taunting during the third quarter of Sunday’s game, with 4:15 left on the clock. The Cowboys went on to win 40-37 in overtime on Brandon Aubrey’s walk-off field goal.
Meanwhile, Giants offensive tackle James Hudson was also disciplined by the league. Hudson picked up four penalties on a single drive, and one of those incidents — a strike to the helmet of Cowboys defensive end James Houston — resulted in a \$12,172 fine for unnecessary roughness.
Head coach Brian Daboll pulled Hudson from the game but stood by his player afterward, saying, “It’s not like he wants to go out there and commit these penalties.”
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens Pick Up $25K in Fines
Three Cowboys players were fined following Sunday’s game, including CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who were both fined twice.
Both players were fined $14,491 for what the league deemed violent gestures late in the fourth quarter, after Pickens scored the go-ahead touchdown. Lamb and Pickens made gun signals with their hands.
Pickens earned a second $14,491 fine for removing his helmet at that time. Lamb also earned a $11,593 punishment for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting on another play in the second quarter. Both players will have to pay fines totaling more than $25,000.
In addition, Cowboys defensive end Brevyn Spann-Ford was fined $5,370 for unnecessary roughness on a leg whip in the fourth quarter, with 6:14 remaining.
Cowboys-Giants Was a High Scoring Thriller
What many thought would be a one-sided game turned into a nail-biter, as the Giants and Cowboys went back and forth in a matchup that stretched into overtime. Without the 26 total penalties, it might have gone down as an instant classic.
Dallas trailed 13-10 at the half but grabbed the lead in the third quarter when Javonte Williams broke free for a 30-yard touchdown. The Giants answered with Graham Gano’s third field goal to tie it at 16. Miles Sanders then capped an 85-yard Dallas drive with a short score, but New York punched back with touchdowns from Cam Skattebo and Wan’Dale Robinson.
The final minute was pure chaos. Dak Prescott found George Pickens for a 6-yard go-ahead touchdown with 52 seconds left, only for Russell Wilson to answer three plays later, launching a 48-yard strike to Malik Nabers that gave the Giants a 37-34 lead. Prescott, unfazed, moved Dallas into position for Brandon Aubrey’s game-tying field goal as time expired.
Overtime swung on a single play—Wilson’s deep shot was picked off by Donovan Wilson, setting up Prescott to finish the job. Aubrey knocked through a short walk-off kick to secure a 40-37 win, boosting Prescott’s career record against New York to 14-2.
Both quarterbacks put on a show. Prescott completed 38 of 52 passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Wilson countered with 450 yards, three scores, and a pick on 30-of-41 passing. Rookie Jaxson Dart also made his first appearance, handing off to Skattebo.
Looking ahead to Week 3, the Giants welcome the Kansas City Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football,” while the Cowboys travel to Chicago for a 4:25 p.m. kickoff against the Bears.