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The Minnesota Vikings may be eliminated from the playoffs, but the Dallas Cowboys weren’t technically heading into their Sunday night game at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys’ chances are now at an all-time low after falling to the Vikings, 34-26, on Sunday night.
The Vikings are now 6-8 on the season, while the Cowboys have fallen to 6-7-1. And even if they’re not technically eliminated, the Cowboys’ playoff chances are hanging by a thread.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
It was an inauspicious start for the Vikings in this contest, as JJ McCarthy’s very first pass attempt was an interception, as it was knocked down at the line by a blitzing Donovan Wilson and Quinnen Williams looked up and brought it back.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense had excellent field position for their first drive, and although it took 11 plays to go 35 yards, Javonte Williams was able to nail it in the end zone to take a 7-0 lead.
It also wouldn’t have happened without a fake field goal, as Brandon Aubrey, one of the NFL’s most reliable players, ran for a first down on fourth-and-4 from the Minnesota 29-yard line. However, Aubrey wouldn’t show up very well later in this match.
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The Vikings finally got something going after the field was turned upside down on their third drive when Aaron Jones was pushed out of bounds on an 18-yard reception, and the Cowboys were called for a horse collar tackle, tacking for 15 yards. On the next play, McCarthy threw a touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor – his first of two scores in this one – to tie the game at seven apiece.
The second quarter brought a flurry of offense from both ends, as Dallas responded with Malik Davis rushing from a yard out, while McCarthy capped a 75-yard drive with a perfectly executed fake handoff at the Dallas one-yard line for a walk-off touchdown.
On the ensuing drive, Aubrey, once again possessing one of the most reliable legs in the game, missed only his third field goal attempt of the year, this one from 51 yards. After Will Reichard scored one, Aubrey had some redemption before halftime, as both teams had 17 points.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to throw during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
In the second half, the Cowboys found themselves up 23-17 thanks to two more Aubrey field goals, but seven points was what they were hoping for. McCarthy helped make it happen with a big pass to Nailor to put the Vikings in the red zone.
After Justin Jefferson, who struggled in this one despite the targets, failed to throw a touchdown pass, CJ Ham buried a 1-yard touchdown to make it 24-23 after the extra point.
Prescott tried to match his second-year counterpart, but the Cowboys stalled at the Minnesota 41-yard line. At 59 yards, he’s well within Aubrey’s range, but he misses again. His four field goal misses this season have been from 50 yards and beyond.
Now, with the ball near midfield, the Vikings had a chance to extend their lead and they got exactly what they needed. On first-and-goal from the Dallas four-yard line, McCarthy found Nailor and he celebrated as the Vikings led 31-23.
The Cowboys turned the ball over on downs on the next drive, and the Vikings saw Aaron Jones win several first downs to not only keep the clock running, but also force Dallas to use up all of their timeouts.
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In box scoring, McCarthy was 15 of 24 for 250 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, as Jordan Addison’s 58-yard catch was among some of his great throws.
For the Cowboys, Prescott was 23 of 38 for 294 yards, although he never threw a touchdown pass. CeeDee Lamb led all receivers in this game with 111 yards on six catches, but George Pickens was quiet for the second straight game. He had just three catches for 33 yards.
