DALLAS COWBOYS (7-9-1)
It has been 13 years since the Cowboys missed the playoffs at least three consecutive seasons and more than 20 years since they had three losing records in a row. The expectation is that Dallas has done enough to end its recent slide by improving one of the NFL's worst defenses enough to complement Dak Prescott's potent offense. Brian Schottenheimer enters his second season as coach and offensive play caller with the same tools he had a year ago. Prescott had one of his best seasons with star receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, a productive running back in Javonte Williams and a tight end the Cowboys believe is still waiting on a breakout season in Jake Ferguson. Dallas brought in 34-year-old Christian Parker to replace Matt Eberflus, who lasted just one ugly season as defensive coordinator. The personnel at Parker's disposal is significantly better, and he doesn't have to worry about the Cowboys trading one of the league's best defensive players. They did that a week before the season last year when they shipped disgruntled edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay, essentially setting up the epic failure that the defense became.
Edge Von Miller, S Caleb Downs, edge Malachi Lawrence, edge Rashan Gary, LB Jaishawn Barham, QB Sam Howell, S P.J. Locke, CB Cobie Durant, S Jalen Thompson, LB Dee Winters.
CB Trevon Diggs, DT Osa Odighizuwa, S Donovan Wilson, special teamer C.J. Goodwin, LB Kenneth Murray, edge Jadeveon Clowney, edge Dante Fowler, CB Kaiir Elam.
Prescott was a top-five quarterback by just about any measure last season, which helped Pickens have a breakout year coming off a trade triggered by a tumultuous start to his career in Pittsburgh. Pickens and Lamb are among the best duos in the game, which makes life easier for the third, fourth and fifth guys in the room. There could be an undrafted rookie among them in Camden Brown, who had a standout preseason. Williams' arrival helped the Cowboys go from last in the NFL in rushing TDs in 2024 to the middle of the pack. Williams had 11 touchdowns, matching the total from his first four seasons combined in Denver. The interior of the defensive line, led by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, could help Dallas be much better against the run. The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run for years, and they point to that as a reason they haven't even reached an NFC championship game in 31 years.
Until it proves otherwise, Dallas' defense is known for having trouble getting off the field on third down or creating turnovers. The Cowboys were last in the NFL in third-down defense a year ago. Dallas gave up the most points (511) with the fewest interceptions (six) in franchise history. Logic says many of those numbers will improve with two first-round draft picks in Downs and Lawrence and the additions through trades or free agency of safeties Locke and Thompson and edge rushers Gary and Miller, a two-time Super Bowl champ who is joining his hometown team at 37. Durant was the NFL postseason leader with three interceptions last season for the Rams. The offensive line could end up being leaky if right tackle Terence Steele can't find the form of his first few seasons or left tackle Tyler Guyton doesn't progress as expected in his third season.
Barham, a third-round pick, was among a handful of preseason standouts and could force his way into the lineup as a rookie even after Dallas traded for Winters believing a veteran was the anchor needed for a young group of linebackers. Barham, who went to Michigan, has shown great instincts at a position that has been a weakness for the Cowboys in recent years.
Pickens is coming off career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). At his playmaking best, Pickens is unmatched on the Dallas roster, and now he's playing for a big second contract. The former Georgia standout decided to accept the $27.3 million franchise tag without making a fuss, and the Cowboys won't have a choice but to give him a long-term contract if he equals or surpasses his 2025 production.
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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Von Miller acknowledges fans during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs talks with defensive coordinator Christian Parker, right, as he stretches before an NFL football practice Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stands on the field during warmups before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
STUART, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge and his driver's license was suspended for five years Wednesday following a March rollover crash in Florida, where he initially was accused of driving under the influence.
Woods, still one of golf's most influential figures and as recognizable as any athlete in the world, has had a remarkable fall since winning the 2019 Masters for his 15th major. The first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, his career has been derailed by multiple back and knee surgeries, car crashes and dependence on pain medication.
He was arrested in March after his SUV clipped a truck and rolled over on its side on a beachside residential road near his home on Jupiter Island. A sheriff’s report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket and he showed signs of impairment. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to take a urine test.
He pleaded not guilty to the original DUI charge.
Before the hearing in Florida’s Marin County on Wednesday, Woods, 50, sat at the defense table looking back at the mostly empty courtroom gallery. He said little as he agreed to the reduced charge and left the courthouse without addressing reporters.
He had arrived with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law. She sat behind him during the proceedings.
“Tiger is not absolved of accountability and he surrendered his license for the next five years,” Mark Steinberg, his longtime manager at Excel Sports told the AP. “He is continuing his treatment and prioritizing all aspects of his health.”
The prosecutor in the case said two toxicologists found there was insufficient proof of his impairment and determined Woods had built up a “pharmacological” tolerance after years of using pain pills.
Thomas Bakkedahl, a state attorney, defended his decision to accept the plea, saying, “I did what I think is right.”
Prosecutors obtained the golfer's pharmacy records that showed he had a lawful prescription, Bakkedahl said.
The deputy who arrested Woods after the crash found two white pills in his pocket that had markings identifying them as hydrocodone, according to the arrest report. Hydrocodone is an opioid that is prescribed for pain, but it can be addictive.
Woods told the deputy he takes a few prescription medications, according to the report, including “Vicodin” — a brand name painkiller that contains hydrocodone.
He has had numerous surgeries on his legs and back over the last two decades — some to treat cartilage and ligament damage, a ruptured tendon, arthritis, and damaged discs in his back.
At Wednesday's hearing, Woods also pleaded no contest to refusing to submit to testing after the crash and was fined $1,500, according to court documents. A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but means the accused will offer no defense. The plea is treated as a conviction in the criminal justice system.
Woods' attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Judge Darren Steele warned Woods that his driver’s license suspension didn’t include exceptions. “If you were to drive for any reason at all, you would immediately go back to jail,” the judge told Woods.
The prosecutor said he was confident that Woods would be spotted if he doesn’t heed the message. “Of all the people in the world who should not get behind the wheel of a car, it’s one of the most recognizable people on the planet,” Bakkedahl said.
But there’s one vehicle Woods still can drive, at least in Florida — a golf cart.
That because Florida law says as long you are at least 18, you can operate a golf cart without a license. And that applies to anyone, Bakkedahl said in an email, whether you’re on a golf course or public property.
Body camera footage shows Woods taking out his phone after the crash and telling a deputy, “I was just talking to the president.”
Woods can be heard saying, “Thank you so much,” as he hangs up and the deputy approaches. It is not clear if Woods was referring to President Donald Trump.
The footage also shows the handcuffed Woods hiccupping, yawning and repeatedly appearing to nod off during the 15-minute ride.
Neither Woods nor the person in the other vehicle were injured in the crash, according to officials. Woods told a deputy that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station when he hit the truck.
Woods has been involved in four crashes over the years. He took a leave from the golf tour after the 2009 crash and again after the latest crash and has yet to return to tournament play.
He left the United States to seek treatment at an inpatient treatment facility, according to court records.
Woods made his first public appearance since returning from treatment on June 23 when he introduced the PGA Tour’s plans to revamp its schedule for 2028. Woods remained as chair of the tour’s Future Competition Committee after his arrest.
Associated Press Golf reporters Doug Ferguson in Jacksonville, Florida, and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.
Golfer Tiger Woods arrives for a plea conference hearing in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida in March, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Stuart, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Tiger Woods appears in County Judge Darren Steele's courtroom for a plea hearing from an arrest in March, at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (Crystal Vander Weit/Treasure Coast Newspapers via AP, Pool)
Golfer Tiger Woods, right, leaves with Vanessa Trump, left, after Woods' plea conference hearing in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida in March, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Stuart, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Golfer Tiger Woods, right, leaves with Vanessa Trump, left, after Woods' plea conference hearing in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida in March, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Stuart, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Golfer Tiger Woods, right, leaves with Vanessa Trump, left, after Woods' plea conference hearing in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida in March, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Stuart, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Tiger Woods appears in County Judge Darren Steele's courtroom for a plea hearing from an arrest in March, at the Martin County Courthouse in Stuart, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (Crystal Vander Weit/Treasure Coast Newspapers via AP, Pool)
Golfer Tiger Woods, right, arrives with Vanessa Trump, left, for Woods' plea conference hearing in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida in March, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Stuart, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
