The Vikings have the Cowboys’ playoff hopes as JJ McCarthy leads the way to victory

The Vikings of Minnesota can be eliminated from the playoffs, but the cowboys of the Dallas Techboys technology did not look at their test on Sunday night at AT & T Stadium.

The Cowboys’ chances are now on the rocks after falling to the Wings, 34-26, on Sunday night.

The Vikings are now 6-8 while the Cowboys fall to 6-7-1. And while it’s not technically over, the cowboys’ chances over the cowboys hang by a thread now.

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It was a lovely start for the Vikings in the contest, as the first attempt at a pass was picked up at the line by Donovan Wilson and Quinnen Williams looked up.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense had great field position on their opening drive, and though it took 11 plays to go 35 yards to take a 7-0 lead.

And it wouldn’t have happened without a fake field goal, since Brandon Aubrey, one of the most trusted legs in the NFL, ran Ortem First from the Minnesota 29-Yard Line. However, Aubrey would come out in such a good way in this game.

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The Vikings were finally able to find something after the field was pulled on their third drive when Aaron Jones was thrown out of bounds on an 18-yard reception, and the Cowboys were called to tackle the horse by the collar, scoring 15 yards. On the next play, McCarthy fired a touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor – his first of two scores – to tie the game at seven.

The second quarter brought a wave of offense from both sides, as Dallas responded with Malik Davis throwing one from a yard out, and McCarthy led a well-rounded drive in Dallas’ yard for a touchdown.

On the next drive, Aubrey, again with the most reliable legs in the game, just missed his third attempt of the year, this one from 51 yards. After Reichard nailed one, Aubrey had redemption before the incident, as both teams scored 17 points.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Darcott (4) looks to throw during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025. (Kevin jairaj / imaging images)

In the second half, the Cowboys ended up with a 23-17 lead thanks to two Aubrey field goals, but seven points was what they were counting on. McCarthy helped make it happen with a big pass to the nailer to set up the Vikings in the red zone.

After Justin Jefferson, who struggled this time despite the target, not pulling in a touchdown pass, CJ Ham buried a one-yard touchdown to make it one point.

Prescott tried to match his second partner, but the Cowboys went up to Minnesota’s 41-Yard Line. 59 yards out, well within Aubrey’s range, but he missed again. All four of his field goals this season have come from 50 yards and beyond.

Now, with the ball near midfield, the Vikings have a chance to extend their lead and get what they need. On 1st-and-Goal from the Dallas four-yard line, McCarthy again found the guard and celebrated as the Vikings went up 31-23.

The Cowboys will turn the ball over on the next drive, and the Vikings saw Aaron Jones take the first down not only did the clock only run, but it forced Dallas to use all their space.

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In the scoreboard, McCarthy was 150-of-24 with 25 meters of contact and one appearance, as Jordan’s one catch, as Jordan’s Addison’s Catch was among his greatest throws.

For the Cowboys, Prescott was 23-of-38 for 294 yards, though he never threw for a touchdown. Ceedee Iwundlu led all receivers in the game with 111 yards on six catches, but the George curtains were quiet for the second straight game. He had only three sides of 33 meters.

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