Vikings smash Cowboys’ playoff hopes as JJ McCarthy leads way to victory
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Minnesota Vikings may be eliminated from the playoffs, but the Dallas Cowboys were technically not heading into their Sunday night matchup at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys’ fortunes hit rock bottom after losing 34-26 to the Vikings on Sunday night.
The Vikings are currently 6-8 on the season while the Cowboys fall to 6-7-1. Although technically not eliminated, the Cowboys’ playoff chances are now hanging by a thread.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) celebrates after a first-half touchdown 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 first pass attempt was an interception as he was tipped to the line by Donovan Wilson and Quinnen Williams looked up and pulled the ball in.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense had tremendous field position on their opening drive, and despite taking 11 plays for 35 yards, Javonte Williams was able to get into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
This wouldn’t have happened without a fake field goal as Brandon Aubrey, one of the NFL’s most reliable legs, ran in on fourth-and-4 first down from the Minnesota 29-yard line. However, Aubrey would appear in a not-so-good light later in this game.
SUPER BOWL 2026 ODDS: RAMS, SEAHAWKS TO STAY ON KURTA; RISE OF THE BRONCOS
The Vikings finally managed to get something going on their third drive after the field turned over with Aaron Jones being pushed out of bounds on an 18-yard reception and the Cowboys being called for a 15-yard horse-leash tackle. On the next play, McCarthy threw a touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor – which was the first of his two scores – to tie the game at seven points apiece.
The second quarter brought a flurry of offense on both sides; Dallas responded with a Malik Davis throw in from a yard out, while McCarthy capped off a 75-yard drive and a touchdown with a perfectly executed fake pass at the Dallas one-yard line.
On the next drive, Aubrey, who also had one of the most reliable legs in the game, missed his third field goal attempt of the year from 51 yards out. After Will Reichard scored a goal, Aubrey regained some redemption before halftime and both teams scored 17 points.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) plans to throw in 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 took a 23-17 lead on two field goals from Aubrey, but seven points was what they were hoping for. McCarthy helped make that happen with a big pass to Nailor to put the Vikings in the red zone.
After Justin Jefferson, who struggled despite the targets in this match and could not make a touchdown pass, CJ Ham scored a one-yard field goal and brought the score to 24-23 after the extra point.
Prescott tried to match up with his second-year counterpart, but the Cowboys were stuck at Minnesota’s 41-yard line. He was 59 yards away, in Aubrey’s range, but he missed again. All four missed field goals this season have been from 50 yards or beyond.
Now with the ball approaching midfield the Vikings had a chance to extend the lead even further and they got exactly what they needed. On first-and-goal from the Dallas four-yard line, McCarthy found Nailor again and celebrated as the Vikings took a 31-23 lead.
The Cowboys were turning the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive, and the Vikings saw Aaron Jones return multiple first downs to not only keep the clock running but also force Dallas to use all of its timeouts.
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at the lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
In the box score, McCarthy was 15/24 for 250 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while Jordan Addison’s 58-yard catch was also some of his great throws.
For the Cowboys, Prescott was 23-of-38 for 294 yards but never a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb led all receivers with 111 yards on six catches in this game, but George Pickens was quiet for the second straight game. He had just three catches for 33 yards.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
