Vikings 34-26 Cowboys, summary: score, stats, highlights | NFL Week 15

Cowboys’ playoff hopes fade after costly loss to Vikings

What began as a promising night for the Cowboys unraveled into a crushing 34–26 loss to the Vikings, a result that all but extinguishes Dallas' postseason hopes. Minnesota entered Sunday Night Football already eliminated from playoff contention, but played with efficiency, while the Cowboys, who needed every win down the stretch, were left chasing points and answers late.

Dallas struck first after Quinnen Williams intercepted J.J. McCarthy on the Vikings’ opening drive, setting up a short-field touchdown capped by a 1-yard Javonte Williams run. The game quickly settled into a back-and-forth rhythm, with neither team able to pull away through the first half. J.J. McCarthy responded with a pair of touchdown passes, including a 20-yarder to Jalen Nailor, while Dak Prescott spread the ball around to keep Dallas level. The teams entered halftime tied 17–17, with Brandon Aubrey already showing uncharacteristic cracks after missing a rare 51-yard attempt.

The third quarter appeared to tilt in Dallas’ favor. Prescott connected with CeeDee Lamb for a 30-yard gain, Javonte Williams consistently gashed Minnesota’s front, and Aubrey knocked through two field goals as the Cowboys held a 23–17 lead late in the period. But from there, the game, and the season, slipped away.

Minnesota seized momentum with a grinding touchdown drive finished by fullback C.J. Ham, followed by a decisive fourth-quarter march that ended with McCarthy finding Nailor again to push the Vikings ahead 31–23. The Cowboys had chances to respond, but Aubrey missed a stunning 59-yard attempt, his second miss of the night after missing just two all season prior Will Reichard drilled a clutch 53-yard field goal with just over a minute left, stretching the lead to two scores and forcing desperation mode.

Prescott finished with 294 passing yards on 23-of-38 throwing, but the Cowboys failed to find the end zone through the air despite Lamb’s 111-yard night. Dallas rushed for 138 yards, led by Javonte Williams’ efficient 91 yards and a touchdown, yet red-zone execution and special teams proved costly. McCarthy, meanwhile, was efficient and poised, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns while adding a score on the ground, guiding an offense that struck when it mattered most.

A late Dallas field goal and failed onside kick served as the final punctuation. The Vikings walked out of AT&T Stadium with a statement win despite being eliminated, while the Cowboys walked off knowing their slim playoff path has effectively disappeared, undone by missed kicks, missed opportunities, and a fourth-quarter swing they couldn’t stop. They're eliminated from Wild Card contention already and their only path to the postseason is to win the NFC East, but that would require the near-impossible.

END GAME

Aubrey kicks onside 10 yards and it's recovered by Vikings' Oliver at the 45 for no gain and that'll do it.

Cowboys lose to the Viking and effectively kiss goodbye to the playoffs.

Cowboys went for the field goal at 2nd down and Aubrey made it for 41 yards. Now they'll go for the onside kick with 19 seconds left.

COWBOYS FIELD GOAL!

Prescott pass to Ferguson in the end zone incomplete - 2nd and 10

Prescott pass to Lamb for 17 yards - 1st down

Vikings' Rodgers was injured on the previous play

Prescott escapes pressure, makes the pass to Mingo for 25 yards - 1st down at the Vikings 40

Prescott's pass to Flournoy was nearly picked by Smith - incomplete, 2nd and 10

Reichard kicks to end zone - touchback to Cowboys 35

Reichard went for the 53-yard field goal and it was good to put the lead out of reach for Dallas with 1:08 left in the game.

That's pretty much going to end the game and the Cowboys' postseason hopes now. It's an odd game when Brandon Aubrey misses two field goals and his opponent makes the tough ones.

VIKINGS FIELD GOAL!

Reichard will attempt a field goal for 53 yards..

Vikings take second timeout

Bell tackles Jones for a 4-yard loss - 4th and 15

Mason tackled by Liafau for no gain - 3rd and 11

Jones tackled for a loss of a yard by Williams and Odighizuwa - 2nd and 11

Ruling on the field stands

Dallas loses their third and final timeout

Dallas is challenging the ruling and it's under review

Jones pushed through for 16yards, looked like he may have fumbled, but he was ruled down by contact - 1st down

Cowboys take second timeout

Jones gains 2 - 2nd and 8

Cowboys take first timeout

Jones powers through for 4 yards - 1st down

McCarthy pass complete to Hockenson for 6 yards - 4th and 1

Cowboys' Quinnen Williams was injured on the play

Mason stopped by Ezeiruaku for no gain - 3rd and 7

Mason gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Viking' Greenard was injured on the previous play

Prescott pass complete under pressure and it's caught by Davis for just 6 yards, short of the 1st. Vikings will take over at their own 39.

Prescott pass incomplete to Davis - 4th and 7, Cowboys are going for it...

Prescott pass complete to Lamb for 13 yards - 3rd and 7

Prescott pass incomplete to Lamb - 2nd and 20

Prescott tossed it to Davis and he took off for 14yards, but a Holding call on Cowboys' Adeniji took it away - 10 yards, 1st and 20

Prescott pass to Flournoy complete for 8 yards - 1st down

Williams gains 2 - 2nd and 8

Williams takes it up 15 yards - 1st down

Prescott pass to Pickens for 17yards - 1st down

Reichard kicked to the 0 and Turpin ran it all the way to the 45, but there was a Holding call on Cowboys' Goodwin to put them back at the 10

Nailor TD extends Minnesota lead

The Vikings moved fast on this drive, getting into the end zone in just five plays. It was McCarthy's pass to Nailor in the end zone for 4 yards that gave them the score, and Reichard's PAT was good. The Vikings now lead the Cowboys by 8 with 9:12 left in the game.

McCarthy pass to Hockenson is hauled in at the 4 for another 18 yards - 1st and goal

McCarthy pass to Oliver for 18yards - 1st down at the Cowboys 22

McCarthy escapes a sack, scrambles for 8 yards - 1st down

Mason gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Vikings take over at their own 49

Aubrey missed AGAIN! This time from 59! He's only missed two field goals all season before this. Now, he's missed two just in this game.

Prescott SACKED by VanGinkel and Greenard for a loss of 4 - 4th and 8

Prescott pass complete to Pickens for 6 yards - 3rd and 4

Prescott pass incomplete under pressure from Smith - 2nd and 10

Williams gains 2 - 1st down

Williams stopped by Redmond for no gain - 3rd and 1

END THIRD QUARTER

That takes us to the end of the 3rd quarter. The Vikings lead by a point and the Cowboys have the ball on the Vikings 46 at 2nd and 1.

Williams picks up another 9 - 2nd and 1

Williams gains 10 - 1st down

Reichard kicks to the end zone - touchback to Cowboys 35

Ham TD!

After a few explosive plays, the Vikings got into the end zone with fullback C.J. Ham taking it 1 yard in for the touchdown. Reichard's PAT was good to give the Vikings the 1-point lead with a minute, 12 to go in the 3rd quarter.

McCarthy pass incomplete to Jefferson - 2nd and goal

McCarthy's pass was incomplete, but Cowboys' Murray was called for IllegalContact - half the distance to the goal - 1st and goal at the 2

McCarthy pass complete to Jefferson for 10 yards - 1st and goal at the 4

Vikings go for it on 4th and 3, and McCarthy's pass deep to Nailor is CAUGHT for 23yards - 1st down at the Cowboys 14

Nailor took the ball but Wilson stopped him for a loss of 2 yards - 4th and 3

Mason pushes forward for 9 yards - 3rd and 1

McCarthy pass incomplete to Jefferson - 2nd and 10

McCarthy delivers a bullet to Hockenson for a huge gain of 29 yards - 1st down

Aubrey kicks to the 0 and Price takes it to the 27

Cowboys had a few explosive plays to make it into Vikings territory, but couldn't get into the end zone. Instead, Aubrey helped them out with a 41-yard field goal to extend the lead by six with 4:50 to play in the 3rd quarter.

COWBOYS FIELD GOAL!

Delay of Game on Cowboys - 5 yards, 4th and 8

Prescott to Davis for 10 yards - 4th and 3

False Start on Cowboys' Thomas, 5 yards - 3rd and 13

Turpin gains 2 - 3rd and 8

Prescott pass incomplete to Lamb - 2nd and 10

Davis gains 2 -1st down

Prescott pass to Turpin caught for 9 yards - 2nd and 1

Williams runs through the middle for a huge gain of 21 yards - 1st down at the Vikings 36

Prescott tosses to Flournoy and it's caught for 3 - 2nd and 7

Prescott pass complete to Lamb for a huge gain of 30yards - 1st down

Wright punted to the Cowboys 10, out of bounds

McCarthy makes two back-to-back incomplete passes to Nailor - 4th and 9

Jones gains a yard - 2nd and 9

Aubrey kicks to the 9 and Price returns it 33 yards to the 42

Schoonmaker's 29-yard gain

The Cowboys got the ball to start the second half and although they didn't make it into the end zone, Aubrey made the 26-yard field goal to put Dallas back in the lead with 11:14 to go in the 3rd quarter.

COWBOYS FIELD GOAL!

Prescott pass caught by Turpin for a yard - 4th and 7

Davis picks up 2 yards - 3rd and 8

Prescott pass to Lamb in the end zone incomplete - 2nd and 10

Prescott escaped pressure but was nearly taken down, got the ball away to Schoonmaker, and he picked up 29 yards! 1st down at the Vikings 11

Williams gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Williams is back in the game and he immediately makes an impact, takes off for 15 yards - 1st down

And we're back!

Reichard kicked to the Cowboys 2 and Turpin returned it 40 yards to the 42

END FIRST HALF

Aubrey kicks to the Vikings -9 and Price takes it 32 yards to the 23 and that will end the half.

Vikings and Cowboys are tied 17-17 at halftime.

Aubrey made the 37-yard field goal to even the score just before halftime.

COWBOYS FIELD GOAL!

Prescott pass incomplete - 4th and 7

Vikings take second timeout

Prescott pass incomplete - 3rd and 7

Luepke gains 3 yards and the clock is ticking as he's in bounds - 2nd and 7

Prescott pass to Pickens caught for 10 yards and he gets out of bounds - 1st down

Luepke gets it on a run of 3 yards and then a catch for 11 - 1st down

Cowboys' Tyler Smith was injured on the previous play

Luepke picks up 6 - 1st down

Prescott pass complete to Ferguson for 9 yards - 3rd and 1

Prescott under pressure by VanGinkel, pass incomplete - 2nd and 10

Reichard kicks to the Cowboys 8, out of bounds - called for the penalty

Ball placed at the 40-yard line

The Vikings didn't make it into the end zone, but tReichard made the 29-yard field goal to give the Vikings the lead with 1:48 to go in the first half. 

VIKINGS FIELD GOAL!

McCarthy pass incomplete to Hockenson - 4th and 10 at the 11

McCarthy pass to Jefferson incomplete, and it's Bland on him again  3rd and 10

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

There's 2 minutes left in the first half. The game is tied 14-14, but the Vikings are looking to score with the ball inside the red zone.

Jones stopped by Williams and Clowney for no gain - 2nd and 10 at the 11

Jones picked up 7 yards, but there were flags...

Illegal Shift on Vikings' Nailor, superseded

Personal Foul on Cowboys' Carson - 10 yards

1st down at the 11

McCarthy pass to Jefferson CAUGHT for 12 yards - 1st down at the 21

McCarthy pass to Jones for 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Jones gets it again, this time for 13 yards - 1st down

McCarthy pass to Jones for 8 yards - 2nd and 2

Aubrey's field goal attempt from 51 yards was NO GOOD! It's extremely rare for Aubrey to miss a field goal, but he's only human. Vikings will take over at their own 33.

Prescott SACKED by Greenard and Hargrave for a loss of 5 yards - 4th and 10

Cowboys take second timeout

Prescott pass incomplete.- 3rd and 5

Davis gains 5 - 2nd and 5

Cowboys go for it on 4th and 3 and Prescott connects with Lamb for 17 yards - 1st down

Prescott pass complete to Ferguson for 7 yards - 4th and 3

Prescott pass incomplete to Lamb, covered by Murphy - 3rd and 10

Davis gets nowhere, stopped by Redmond - 2nd and 10

Reichard kicked to the Cowboys 4 and Turpin returned it 39 yards to the 43

"That's a little nasty right there"

After a penalty forced them to 4th down, McCarthy took the ball into the end zone himself with a walk-in touchdown no Dallas defender saw coming. Reichard's PAT was good and the Vikings even the score again with 9:28 to go in the first half.

McCarthy takes off with the ball and he's stopped JUST short of the end zone by Hooker - 4th and inches at the goal line 

McCarthy pass to Jefferson in the end zone incomplete - 3rd and goal

Cowboys take first timeout

McCarthy passed to Jefferson in the end zone for what would've been a touchdown, but it was NULLIFIED due to Vikings' Illegal Formation 

Instead, it's 2nd and goal from the 8

Mason stopped by Murray after a yard - 2nd and goal at the 3

Addison with the HUGE catch for 58!

Vikings take first timeout

McCarthy passes DEEP to Addison and it is CAUGHT for a gain of 58 yards! He's finally tackled by Carson at the 4-yard line!

Mason gains 2, stopped by Overshown - 3rd and 7

McCarthy pass incomplete to Jefferson with Bland all over him - 2nd and 10

Mason takes it again, gets the 1st down after 2 yards

Mason gains 2 more - 3rd and inches

Mason pushes through for 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Aubrey kicked to the Vikings 7 and Price returned it 18 yards to the 25

Davis' time to shine!

With Williams questionable to return, Malik Davis has had his time to shine. He pushed through to get near the goal line and then made the 1-yard touchdown run. Aubrey's PAT was good, and the Cowboys take back the lead to start the 2nd quarter.

Prescott throws the ball away - 2nd and goal

END FIRST QUARTER

That takes us to the end of the first quarter. The Vikings and Cowboys are tied 7-7 but the Cowboys are a yard away from another score at 1st and goal to start the 2nd.

Davis takes the ball and shoves through for 4 yards - 1st and goal at the 1-yard line

Davis takes the ball, gains 5 - 2nd and 5

Prescott pass to Lamb is caught but he's forced backwards for a loss of 5 yards 

But Vikings' Rodriguez is called for FaceMask penalty - 15 yards

1st down at the 12

Prescott pass caught by Lamb for a huge gain of 30 yards  - 1st down at the 24

Prescott pass complete to Flournoy and he takes off for a gain of 19 yards

Reichard kicks to the Cowboys 1 and Turpin returns it 26 yards to the 27

Nailor for the TD to even the score

He walked off the field after this, so hopefully he's going to be okay after that hard fall.

The Vikings evened the score after a big play by Aaron Jones. McCarthy made the 20-yard pass to Nailor in the end zone for the touchdown and Reichard's PAT was good. The Vikings and Cowboys are tied up with 2:35 remaining in the 1st quarter.

McCarthy made the pass into the end zone and Nailor leapt to make the catch for the score, but landed on his back and was on the ground grabbing his neck. He's now being looked at on the sideline.

McCarthy pass to Jones and he takes off for 18 yards

Cowboys' Steward is called for a Horse Collar Tackle to give Minnesota another 15 - 1st down at the 20

Anger punts to the Vikings 47 and Price calls for the fair catch

Luepke takes it up 8 yards - 4th and 2

Prescott pass incomplete to Pickens and the Cowboys are at 3rd and 10 on their own 3

Davis takes the ball but Rodgers takes him down immediately, no gain - 2nd and 10

Wright punts to the Cowboys 3, downed by Felton

Jones stopped by Revel for a loss of a yard - 4th and 2

McCarthy pass complete to Addison for 8 yards - 3rd and 1

Jones stopped by Clowney after just a yard - 2nd and 9

McCarthy passed to Hockenson and he took off for 13yards and the 1st down

Jones took the ball but Clark was immediately on him for a loss of 3 yards - 2nd and 13

Aubrey kicks to the Vikings 3 and Price takes it 11 yards to the 14

Williams gives 'Boys the lead

Aubrey FAKED the field goal for the Cowboys 1st down!

McCarthy pass intercepted by Williams

After an interception of J.J. McCarthy's pass on the second play of the game, the Cowboys maximized on the turnover. They got downfield far enough for a field goal on 4th and 4, but Brandon Aubrey faked the kick and instead ran the ball 6 yards for the first down, which allowed them to eventually get into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run by Javonte Williams. Cowboys lead with 8:23 still to go in the first quarter.

William shoves through and he's stopped before the end zone, but he makes the 1st down at the 1-yard line

Prescott keeps it and he gets 2 yards, marked about a half-yard short of the 1st down - 4th and 1...

Williams takes it again, gains a yard - 3rd and 4

Williams shoves through for a gain of 6 - 2nd and 4 at the 7

Prescott pass complete to Flournoy for 10 yards - 1st down at the 11

Williams takes it up the middle for 2 yards - 2nd and 8 at the 21

Aubrey came in for the field goal, OR SO WE THOUGHT! He instead took off running with the ball on the fake and gained 6 yards for the 1st down!

Prescott pass complete to Lamb but it's short - 4th and 4

Prescott pass to Spann-Ford incomplete - 3rd and 8

Cowboys take the field! 

Javontae Williams takes it to start, gains 2 - 2nd and 8

McCarthy pass deflected by Wilson and INTERCEPTED by Williams at the 34

Side note: In three games versus the Cowboys, Aaron Jones has rushed for 100+ yards in each and scored six total touchdowns, plus three more in a single game in 2023. 

Aaron Jones takes the ball up 6, 2nd and 4

Aubrey kicks to the Vikings 7 and Price returns it 25 yards to the 32

And WE ARE OFF!!!

Cowboys won the toss and elected to defer, so we'll see the Vikings on offense to start. Here we go!!!

Cowboys’ home-field scoring advantage

The Cowboys have been electric at AT&T Stadium this season, averaging 32+ points per home game, about a touchdown more than on the road. The Vikings shut out Washington last week, but the Cowboys' offensive firepower at home could be the deciding factor under the primetime lights.

Vikings end losing streak in historic fashion

Minnesota snapped a three-game skid with a 31-0 blowout of Washington last week, becoming the first team in 33 years to follow a shutout loss with a shutout win. Josh Oliver and J.J. McCarthy connected for two TDs, while the defense forced three turnovers and held the Commanders to just 206 total yards. Momentum could be a key factor tonight against Dallas.

Javonte Williams poised for big workload vs Vikings

Cowboys

Will CeeDee Lamb play for the Cowboys against the Vikings in Week 15? Dallas WR’s injury report

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Cowboys-Vikings INJURY REPORT

Cowboys Injury Report

Dallas enters tonight relatively healthy overall, but the offensive line remains a concern. Tackle Tyler Guyton was ruled out earlier this week and won't be available, forcing the Cowboys to continue shuffling protection in front of Dak Prescott. The Cowboys avoided any major late-week setbacks, and several starters who had been limited earlier in the week are expected to play, including star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Cowboys INACTIVES

RB Jaydon Blue

OT Tyler Guyton

DT Jay Toia

WR Jalen Tolbert

DT Perrion Winfrey

Vikings Injury Report

Minnesota's injury situation is far more impactful, particularly up front. Christian Darrisaw remains sidelined as he continues navigating a frustrating return from his 2024 ACL injury. With the Vikings already eliminated from playoff contention, the team appears to be exercising caution with key long-term pieces. The offensive line will once again be patched together, and Minnesota will lean on depth players against a Cowboys defense that has shown it can exploit protection issues.

Vikings INACTIVES

LB Chaz Chambliss

OT Christian Darrisaw

OT Walter Rouse

DL Elijah Williams

QB John Wolford (emergency QB)

Cowboys

Can the Cowboys still make the playoffs? The exact probability behind Dallas’ postseason chances ahead of Vikings test

Dallas' playoff odds remain bleak even after the Eagles’ MNF loss, but a narrow albeit unforgiving path to January football still exists.

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Vikings

Vikings officially eliminated from playoffs ahead of Cowboys SNF game

The Minnesota Vikings enter Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys with their 2025 season already decided, They have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. A dominant win by the Chicago Bears earlier in the day mathematically closed Minnesota’s postseason path, ending hopes of a return to the postseason.

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Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Sunday Night Football as the Dallas Cowboys host the Minnesota Vikings!

While the Vikings were officially eliminated from the postseason earlier today, the Cowboys still have something to play for as a win today would keep them clinging to very thin playoff hopes. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and we'll be here starting from before kickoff and up to the final whistle bringing you all the scores, highlights, commentary, and updates from the game.