With only four games left in the NFL regular season, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious position following their Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions in a nationally televised matchup.

Dallas now holds a 6–6–1 record and trails the Philadelphia Eagles, who sit at 8–5, in the NFC East standings. While the gap isn’t insurmountable, the margin for error has all but disappeared. The Cowboys will return to prime time Sunday night when they welcome the Minnesota Vikings in a game that carries significant postseason implications.

The upcoming contest offers a chance for wide receiver George Pickens to rebound after a disappointing showing against Detroit, a performance that drew criticism for both production and effort. However, any momentum heading into Week 15 was slowed when the NFL released its weekly disciplinary report.

On Saturday, the league announced 17 fines from the previous week’s games, with Pickens included on the list. He was fined $11,593 for a facemask infraction classified as unnecessary roughness that occurred late in the second quarter.

Discipline has been the most consistent concern surrounding Pickens throughout the season. The latest fine represents his sixth league-issued punishment this year, most of which have been related to unsportsmanlike behavior or excessive physicality. In total, Pickens has now been fined $95,588 during the season.

Despite those issues, Pickens is enjoying the most productive campaign of his NFL career. Acquired by Dallas in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has emerged as a focal point of the Cowboys’ offense and is positioning himself for a lucrative contract when free agency arrives in the coming months. Whether that results in a long-term deal, a franchise tag, or a move to another team remains to be seen.

Through Week 15, Pickens has recorded 78 catches for 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns. His outing against the Lions, however, was far quieter, as he managed just five receptions for 37 yards and also lost a fumble.