As the Dallas Cowboys enter the final week of the season, their goal remains the same. The plan is to prepare for the New York Giants like they did for the Washington Commanders. Despite their playoff hopes having ended, the Cowboys are determined to finish the season with a win, an overall 8-8-1 record and 5-1 against the NFC East.

“A win is glorious,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “A win is special. I’ve noticed debate about whether to play certain players in the game (Thursday at Washington) or this game (at the Giants). But it’s so important to understand when you’re involved what it means to put a win there that will always be with you.

“It’s great to win. It’s important. And they’re singularly worth noting.”

While plans could change as the week goes along, it appears that healthy starters will be on the field at MetLife Stadium, including franchise quarterback Dak Prescott.

Jones was asked Friday about playing Prescott in the season finale and how they weigh finishing with potentially another win versus risking injury. Prescott was sacked six times against the Commanders and took several other hits after throwing the ball or as a runner.

“You weigh that against how valuable it was to win the game (at Washington),” Jones said. “I don’t mean to sound like a motivational talk here, but the win was big to us (last week). To go up against the Giants and to finish with hopefully the kind of taste we got in our mouth (after beating Washington), to go do that, there’s a tremendous carryover. And I’m not just talking about the players. I’m talking about everybody, coaches, fans, all the way through.”

Here’s what to watch in Dallas’ final game of the season (Sunday at 1 p.m. ET).

1. Quarterback situation

How much will Prescott play, if at all? He says he wants to play. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer sounds like he wants the same. Perhaps Prescott starts but only plays a few series or the first half. The Giants are arguably the league’s worst team. They played a close game with the Cowboys in Week 2 (a 40-37 Dallas win in overtime), but a lot has changed since then. If the Cowboys get off to a similar start to what they did Thursday, scoring touchdowns on each of their first three possessions, Prescott might not be needed for long. Either way, it would make sense to get backup QB Joe Milton some work. He has played in three games this season but only attempted 11 passes.

2. Trevon Diggs’ last game in Dallas?

Signs point to this being the case. Jones has recently said that a decision to move on from Diggs has not been made. He has three more years remaining on his deal, but the Cowboys could move on as all of his guaranteed money has been paid. Diggs has said on multiple occasions over the last few weeks that he wants to remain in Dallas. It hasn’t been a good year for the veteran corner who made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022. Injuries and the scheme implemented under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus have led to Diggs posting the worst Pro Football Focus grade of his career. He ranks 78th among 112 cornerbacks graded by PFF.

3. Linebacker reps?

It was a bit of a head-scratcher for Logan Wilson not to get a snap at Washington. Dallas added him at the trade deadline in hopes of improving its middle linebacker position. It has not been a good year for starting middle linebacker Kenneth Murray, who ranks 82nd out of 86 linebackers graded by PFF. Judging by Jones’ response Friday when asked about Wilson not playing, look for him to see the field at New York.

“I don’t have an explanation for you for why Wilson wasn’t in there,” Jones said. “We planned to have him in there. He needs to be in there. He has good instincts. The reason we got him was because he reads the play quick and can basically be in his lane of responsibility and react quick. It’s critical that a linebacker have quick reacting (ability). He’s able to do that. That’s why we got him.”

4. Who carries the ball?

Javonte Williams is dealing with a shoulder issue that forced him to leave the Thursday game early. Dallas’ lead back is having a career year. His 1,201 rushing yards are nearly 300 more than he’s had in any other season of his five-year career. He’s about to be a free agent. He’d probably like to add to that total, if possible. But why not play rookie Jaydon Blue? He was expected to have a role this season, but that hasn’t happened for several reasons. It’ll be interesting to see what Schottenheimer decides at the position.

“If he earns the right to do it, absolutely,” Schottenheimer said a couple of weeks ago when asked about Blue potentially playing in the final three games. “He’s no different than the other guys. I see flashes from Jaydon all the time. I see that the talent is real. The standard is not always met, just being quite honest and frank with you guys. I’m not saying anything I haven’t said to Jaydon. But if he keeps working and continues to do a great job in his preparation and all that, then of course he can earn the right to play.”

5. No. 1 tight end

Dallas’ No. 1 TE Jake Ferguson exited Thursday’s game with a calf injury. If it prevents him from playing at New York, Brevyn Spann-Ford appears ready to take on a larger responsibility. The 2024 undrafted free agent continues to improve as a pass catcher. He’s already regarded as an excellent blocker and special teams contributor. He had a 31-yard reception against the Commanders on Thursday. It would be good to see him get more targets in the season finale. He has caught seven of his 10 targets this season for 60 yards and a touchdown. He caught nine of 14 targets for 88 yards as a rookie.