The Dallas Cowboys dropped their fifth game of the season in Week 9, falling 27-17 to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. But it wasn’t just the loss that had the fans angry.
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A late unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on George Pickens put the spotlight on the NFL’s controversial taunting rules and on the wide receiver himself. The incident happened in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 27-17 with just under seven minutes left in the game, Dak Prescott found Pickens for a clutch first-down catch near midfield. But the momentum didn’t last long. After the catch, Pickens briefly held the ball out toward Cardinals’ cornerback, Denzel Burke. An official standing just a few feet away immediately threw a flag for taunting.
The 15-yard penalty wiped away the progress from Pickens’ key reception, stalling what could’ve been a late comeback drive for Dallas. Fans quickly took to X to vent their frustration, both at the penalty itself and at Pickens’ apparent inability to stay out of trouble with the league officials.
“This is ridiculous. My 8-year-old taunted me at dinner worse than that,” one fan joked.
“NO FUN LEAGUE,” the NFL’s less preferred moniker was also once again thrown around,” wrote another.
This is ridiculous. My 8-ye old taunted me at dinner worse than that.
— David Bearman (@DavidBearman) November 4, 2025
However, plenty of fans were also mad at Pickens for knowing better and still putting his team’s fortunes on the line.
“Taunting the 2-5 Cardinals while down by 10? Yeah, you deserve that flag, buddy,” commented a fan.
“Should that be a penalty? Probably not. Did Pickens know exactly what he was doing and should know better? Yes,” another stated.
Taunting the 2-5 cardinals while down by 10, yea you deserve that flag buddy
— Bean (@beanslingerr) November 4, 2025
“Soft? Probably. But ffs man, you’re a 4-point favorite at home vs a 2–5 Cardinals team. And you’re down two possessions in the 4th. Not to mention you’re a player who knows better. Get flagged, idiot lol,” commented another fan.
The punchline came from someone who connected Pickens’ behaviour to the other certainties in life. “Death, Taxes & a George Pickens Unsportsmanlike Penalty,” they wrote.
Death, taxes, and a George Pickens unsportsmanlike penalty 😂
— Bodog (@BodogCA) November 4, 2025
The NFL made it a point to enforce taunting penalties before the 2025 season. And Pickens has become a repeat offender.
A first taunting violation carries an $11,593 fine; a second rises to $17,389. Pickens was fined $11,593 earlier this season for taunting during the Cowboys’ Week 7 win over Washington. His Week 9 infraction will likely bring another fine, his fourth of the season.
In Week 2, after the Cowboys’ overtime win over the New York Giants, the NFL issued two separate fines to Pickens for “removal of the helmet” and a “violent gesture,” each costing $14,491.
Pickens finished Monday’s loss with six catches for 79 yards, while CeeDee Lamb led the Cowboys with seven receptions for 85 yards. The defeat dropped Dallas to 3–5–1 on the year, adding to an already frustrating season marked by inconsistency, injuries, and mistakes.
After their Week 10 bye, the Cowboys will return to action with another Monday night matchup, this time against the Las Vegas Raiders.
