Recap of the Vikings vs Cowboys Week 15 showdown. Get the final score, key stats, and the impact of this pivotal Vikings vs Cowboys game on the NFC playoff race.
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Minnesota Vikings played spoiler on Sunday Night Football, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 34-26 in a game that severely damaged Dallas’s postseason aspirations. The Vikings vs Cowboys matchup saw Minnesota’s young offense flourish against a struggling Dallas defense, despite the Vikings having been eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day.
McCarthy Leads Vikings to Season-Best Offensive Performance
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy delivered the finest performance of his young career, completing 15 of 24 passes for a career-high 250 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing score, leading a Minnesota offense that has scored 31 and 34 points in its last two games after a mid-season slump.
McCarthy overcame an early interception to connect on several big plays, including touchdown passes to Jalen Nailor. The Vikings’ offensive line provided ample protection, allowing zero sacks and enabling the passing game to exploit a porous Cowboys secondary. This offensive efficiency proved decisive in the Vikings vs Cowboys result.
Cowboys’ Defensive Struggles Prove Costly Again
The loss highlighted the persistent weaknesses of the Dallas defense, which entered the game ranked near the bottom of the league. For the seventh time this season, the unit allowed at least 30 points. While the Cowboys’ offense moved the ball, accumulating over 420 total yards, it repeatedly settled for field goals in the red zone.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey, typically automatic, had an uncharacteristically off night, missing two long field goal attempts. This, combined with the defense’s inability to get key stops, allowed the Vikings to maintain control. The Vikings vs Cowboys outcome underscored a season-long trend where Dallas’s high-powered offense has been undermined by its defense.
Playoff Implications and Historical Context
The victory improved the Vikings’ record to 6-8, while the Cowboys fell to 6-7-1. The loss critically wounds Dallas’s chances of securing an NFC Wild Card spot, leaving them with a narrow path to the postseason with just three games remaining.
The Vikings vs Cowboys history saw Minnesota continue its recent success in Dallas during the regular season, improving its record in its last ten visits. For the Cowboys, the defeat marks a second consecutive prime-time loss and places immense pressure on the team to win its final three games while needing significant help from other results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys by a final score of 34-26.
McCarthy had a career game, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground, leading the Vikings’ offense to a season-high point total.
The loss severely damages the Cowboys’ playoff hopes, dropping them below .500 and leaving them with a very difficult path to secure a Wild Card spot with three games left.
In recent Vikings vs Cowboys history, Minnesota has performed well in Dallas during the regular season. The Vikings have now won several of the last meetings played at the Cowboys’ home stadium.
The Cowboys lost due to settling for field goals instead of touchdowns in the red zone, two missed field goals by their usually reliable kicker, and a defense that could not prevent the Vikings from scoring touchdowns on their drives.
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