Chidobe Awuzie picks off Eli Manning in end zone (Week 17)

Don't tell the Dallas Cowboys' defense the game is irrelevant.

The team clinched the NFC East in their Week 16 defeat of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and have decided to sit some star players in the regular season finale against the New York Giants. They didn't sit any on defense though, and second-year cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is just fine with that -- especially after reeling in his first interception of the season to prevent quarterback Eli Manning from punctuating a promising first drive with a potential touchdown.

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Adam Collins ✭@AdamCollinsCN What a read by Chido on the Interception! #DALvsNYG 8582:11 PM - Dec 30, 2018

The goal for Dallas is a simple one, and it's two-fold: They need to re-establish momentum that was halted in their Week 15 embarrassment at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, but they must do it while protecting their best players from being injured only one week ahead of Wild Card Weekend. To that end, they've already made the call to sideline All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, resting his injured knee ahead of the playoffs. One or more were expected to join him on Sunday, and although owner Jerry Jones didn't provide names at the time -- he stated they'd be "obvious" outs.

As such, both Tyron Smith and Ezekiel Elliott join Martin on the sideline, but quarterback Dak Prescott is on the field. The hope is he'll find an improved chemistry with the offense before the playoffs, but he also must escape the regular season finale in one piece.

That goes for every other key Cowboys' player as well.