Minnesota Vikings Stun Dallas Cowboys 34-26 on Sunday Night Football: J.J. McCarthy’s Heroics End Dallas’ Postseason Hopes
In a shocking upset that has left Dallas Cowboys fans reeling, the Minnesota Vikings delivered a devastating blow to the Cowboys’ playoff aspirations with a commanding 34-26 victory on Sunday Night Football at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025. The eliminated Vikings, playing spoiler with nothing to lose, dismantled Dallas in prime time, dropping the Cowboys to a dismal 6-7-1 record and reducing their playoff chances to less than 1%.
J.J. McCarthy Shines as Vikings Spoil Cowboys’ Season
Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy was the undeniable star of the night, exploding for three total touchdowns – two through the air and one on the ground. McCarthy connected with wide receiver Jalen Nailor for both passing scores, including a crucial 4-yard touchdown that extended Minnesota’s lead. He also scampered for a 1-yard rushing TD on a clever naked bootleg, showcasing poise and mobility that tormented the Cowboys’ porous defense.
Fullback C.J. Ham added the go-ahead touchdown on his first carry of the season, plunging in from 1 yard out to swing momentum decisively. Kicker Will Reichard sealed the deal with a 53-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
For the Vikings (now 6-8), this win marked back-to-back victories after their playoff elimination earlier in the day. Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s game plan exploited Dallas’ defensive weaknesses, allowing Minnesota to average explosive plays and control the clock when it mattered most.
Dak Prescott and Cowboys Offense Stifled Despite Strong Stats
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott put up respectable numbers, completing 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards, but was held without a touchdown pass – only the third time this season. Running backs Javonte Williams and Malik Davis each scored 1-yard rushing TDs, while star wideout CeeDee Lamb hauled in 6 catches for 111 yards after clearing concussion protocol.
However, the offense stalled in critical moments, settling for field goals and failing to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. Kicker Brandon Aubrey, typically one of the NFL’s most reliable, uncharacteristically missed two field goals – a rare off-night that proved costly.
Dallas’ defense, ranked among the league’s worst, couldn’t contain McCarthy or slow the Vikings’ attack, allowing over 30 points for the seventh time this season.
Playoff Implications: Cowboys on Life Support
Entering the game, the Cowboys desperately needed a win to stay alive in the NFC East race, trailing the Philadelphia Eagles. With this loss – their second straight – Dallas now faces a near-impossible path: they must win their final three games and hope the Eagles lose out to have any shot at the division.
Per playoff simulators, Dallas’ postseason probability has plummeted below 1%. The once-hopeful rally sparked by a mid-season win streak has evaporated, leaving fans questioning the team’s direction under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Key Stats from Vikings vs Cowboys
- Final Score: Vikings 34, Cowboys 26
- J.J. McCarthy: ~250 passing yards, 2 TD passes, 1 rushing TD
- Dak Prescott: 294 passing yards, 0 TD, no INTs mentioned
- CeeDee Lamb: 111 receiving yards
- Turnovers: Vikings overcame an early interception; Cowboys turned it over on downs
This prime-time heartbreak in Jerry’s World has Cowboys Nation in despair. Will Dallas rally for a miracle, or is the 2025 season officially over? Share your thoughts below – are the Cowboys’ playoff dreams truly crushed?
