The Minnesota Vikings were already out of the playoff picture, but they still found plenty of motivation Sunday night — and in the process, they pushed the Dallas Cowboys to the brink of elimination.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, C.J. Ham scored the go-ahead touchdown on his first carry of the season, and the Vikings held off Dallas 34-26 in a Sunday Night Football showdown that dealt a major blow to the Cowboys’ postseason hopes.
Minnesota (6-8), a 14-win playoff qualifier just a year ago, won its second straight game despite having been eliminated earlier in the day. Dallas (6-7-1) suffered a second consecutive loss after a brief midseason surge and now faces long odds to stay alive in the NFC East.
The Cowboys must win their final three games and hope defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia loses out to have any chance of overtaking the Eagles.
McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick and former Michigan national champion, delivered one of his most complete performances of the season. He finished 15 of 24 for 250 yards with two touchdown passes — both to Jalen Nailor — and added a rushing score of his own. His night started shakily with an interception on his first throw, a tipped pass that landed in the arms of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but he quickly settled in and controlled the game.
McCarthy capped one drive with a playful nod to star receiver Justin Jefferson, dancing Jefferson’s signature “Griddy” after a bootleg left him wide open on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line.
The turning point came late in the third quarter when Ham powered in on a 1-yard plunge to give Minnesota a 24-23 lead. Nailor struck again early in the fourth, hauling in a 4-yard touchdown to stretch the advantage to eight as the Vikings embraced their role as spoilers.
Dallas had chances, but miscues piled up. Kicker Brandon Aubrey, usually automatic at AT&T Stadium, missed multiple long field goals at home for the first time in his three NFL seasons. He pushed attempts wide right from 51 and 59 yards, with the latter miss setting up a short field that Minnesota converted into Nailor’s second touchdown for a 31-23 lead.
Aubrey did score 14 points overall, kicking four field goals and even running six yards for a first down on a fake that helped extend Dallas’ first touchdown drive. Still, the rare misses loomed large.
The Vikings also caught a break when a fourth-and-7 catch by Malik Davis was initially ruled a first down before replay assist quickly overturned the call, resulting in a turnover on downs. Minnesota capitalized again late, converting two key fourth-down situations. Aaron Jones powered ahead for four yards on fourth-and-1, and after Dallas unsuccessfully challenged a 16-yard Jones run, Will Reichard drilled a clinching 53-yard field goal with 1:08 remaining.
Aubrey’s fourth field goal pulled Dallas within eight points with 19 seconds left, but Josh Oliver recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the outcome.
Dak Prescott, the NFL’s leading passer entering the game, threw for 294 yards on 23-of-38 passing but was held without a touchdown pass for just the third time this season. Javonte Williams and Malik Davis each scored on 1-yard runs for the Cowboys, who couldn’t finish enough drives against a determined Minnesota defense.
For McCarthy, whose rookie season has been marked by inconsistency, the win improved his record as Minnesota’s starter to 4-4 — a small but meaningful step forward in a season that otherwise slipped away early.
The Vikings will close out their road schedule next Sunday at the New York Giants. The Cowboys return home for their regular-season finale at AT&T Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers, clinging to faint playoff hopes after a night that belonged to Minnesota.
