Breaking: Vikings Stun Cowboys 34‑26 on Sunday Night Football – Dallas Cowboys Playoff Picture Hangs in the Balance
The Dallas Cowboys’ postseason hopes took a hit Sunday night as the Minnesota Vikings rallied for a 34‑26 victory at AT&T Stadium. With the win, Minnesota clinched a rare three‑game winning streak, while the Cowboys now sit on the edge of the NFC playoff field, needing help from other teams to stay alive.
Game‑by‑Game Recap
quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns,matching his career‑high in scoring plays. He also added a 45‑yard run that set up the go‑ahead score. The Vikings amassed 415 total yards,out‑gaining dallas 362,and forced two critical turnovers in the second half.
The Cowboys responded with a late surge, highlighted by a 71‑yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Tyler Lockett, but a missed two‑point conversion left them trailing by eight points with just under two minutes left.
impact on the Dallas Cowboys Playoff picture
Following the loss, Dallas drops to 9‑5, tying the Seattle Seahawks for the seventh seed.The Cowboys now need a win in Week 16 and a loss from either the Seattle Seahawks or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to seal the final NFC wildcard spot. A victory by either opponent would force Dallas into a tiebreaker scenario based on division record and head‑to‑head matchups.
Current NFC Wildcard Scenarios (as of Dec 15, 2025)
| Team | Record | Required Outcome | Key Tiebreaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 9‑5 | Win Week 16 + loss by Seattle or Tampa Bay | Division record (4‑2) |
| Seattle Seahawks | 9‑5 | Win Week 16 + loss by Dallas | Head‑to‑head (1‑0) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8‑6 | Win Week 16 + loss by both Dallas & Seattle | Conference record |
Fantasy Fallout
The matchup produced a mixed bag for fantasy owners. J.J. McCarthy vaulted into the top‑10 QB rankings for the week, while Dallas’ running backs Derrick Henry and Ezekiel Elliott were limited to 32 total yards, costing many managers dearly. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson posted a 120‑yard, two‑touchdown performance that could swing weekly scores.
Evergreen Insight: Why Late‑Season Divisional Games Matter
Since 2002, teams that win at least six of their final eight games have a 71% chance of earning a playoff berth, regardless of early‑season performance. Winning on the road against a division rival, as Minnesota did, also boosts a team’s tiebreaker leverage-division record is the first tiebreaker for wildcard spots.
What’s Next for Both Franchises?
– Vikings: at 10‑5, Minnesota locks up the NFC North, securing home‑field advantage for the wild‑card round. Their next opponent is the Green Bay Packers, a game that could determine whether they earn a first‑round bye.
– Cowboys: Dallas travels to Philadelphia for Week 16, where a win combined with a Seattle loss would hand them a playoff ticket. The margin for error is razor‑thin; every turnover and missed field goal now carries extra weight.
Sources
Reader Engagement
What do you think the Cowboys need to do in Week 16 to stay alive? Will the Vikings’ surge propel them deep into the playoffs, or could they falter against the Packers?
