The Dallas Cowboys had a shot. It was a long shot, but it was a shot. With four games remaining in their season, the path to make the playoffs was murky, but obvious. The team had to win their final four games, running the table to move from 6-6-1 to 10-6-1, then get help from any one of several teams. Their Week 15 game was one of three remaining contests against teams under .500, and it was at home.
Yet despite the opportunity ahead of them, the Cowboys offense allowed the Minnesota Vikings defense to dictate to them, and the Dallas defense made yet another subpar quarterback have his best game of the season. Second-year QB JJ McCarthy had his best performance as a pro, and Brian Flores turned Brian Schottenheimer’s offense timid, as the Vikings won, 34-26.
Dallas had received a little help earlier on Sunday, with the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers all falling, but it makes little difference now. The Cowboys have been eliminated from the wild-card pursuit, and they would have to win their remaining three contests while the Philadelphia Eagles lose their remaining three contests.
The Cowboys allowed an opponent to score 30 points for the seventh time in 2025, tied for most in the NFL. The game started out well, with the defense intercepting McCarthy on his first pass of the game, as Donovan Wilson deflected a pass into the air with Quinnen Williams corralling it.
Dallas capitalized, using a fake field goal to extend the drive before Javonte Williams punched it in. But from that point, the Cowboys’ defense didn’t have any answers for the beleaguered young QB, who completed several deep balls despite not being on the same page with All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys seemed to move the ball at will, but had no solutions for third downs (2 of 12) or once they got into scoring range. Questionable playcalls were everywhere, and matters were made worse as kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two field goals.
Back under .500, the Cowboys can be eliminated before they next take the field, with the Eagles playing on Saturday against Washington. Dallas will host the 10-4 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys drop must-win game to Vikings, 34-26, let air out 2025 season
