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The Dallas Cowboys took on the Arizona Cardinals in "Monday Night Football" in Week 9, with Dallas falling 27-17. Tensions typically flare during NFL games, especially for teams such as the Cowboys and Cardinals who are trying to turn their seasons around, which can result in unsportsmanlike behavior on the field, of which one particular Cowboys player engaged in. Every Saturday, the NFL announces fines from the previous week. The league notes on their website that these actions are "to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity, the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures." On Saturday, the NFL announced a stern punishment for Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens for his actions during that Cardinals game. He's being fined $17,389 for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting) in the fourth quarter. Pickens held the ball toward Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke to mock him after a catch, and he was also flagged on that call. Read more: Micah Parsons Reacts to Tragic Death of 24-Year-Old Ex-Cowboys Teammate No other Dallas Cowboys players were fined by the NFL this week. But Josiah Deguara of the Cardinals got slapped with a punishment fine from the NFL for $6,500 for "unnecessary roughness" for a "low block" in the second quarter of the game. Read more: Cowboys Announce Former Second-Round Pick Dead at 24 According to the NFL, the funds raised from those fines will go to a good cause in the Professional Athletes Foundation to "support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game." Pickens has been a saving grace for the Cowboys this season. When CeeDee Lamb was out with an injury, he became quarterback Dak Prescott's main target. The Cowboys play the Las Vegas Raiders on the road on Monday. Dallas is 3-5 this season, while the Raiders are 2-7 after last Thursday's loss to the Denver Broncos.
