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Cowboys stunned by J.J. McCarthy, Vikings as playoff hopes are just about over after Week 15

McCarthy didn't have much trouble with Dallas' defense after the opening drive

By Garrett Podell

Dec 14, 2025 at 11:38 pm ET • 1 min read

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' defense served as a slump buster of sorts for Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a 34-26 upset victory that all but eliminated Dallas from postseason contention. Skol chants ringing throughout AT&T Stadium served to mark the death of the Cowboys' 2025 playoff hopes.

The second-year quarterback entered Week 15 ranking last in the NFL in completion percentage (56%), TD-to-INT ratio (9-10) and passer rating (67.4) this season among 34 qualified quarterbacks. McCarthy didn't have much of a problem with Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' zone coverage scheme, throwing for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception on 15 of 24 passing while also adding a one-yard rushing touchdown.

It initially appeared as though McCarthy would be in for a long night after his first pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and then intercepted by Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams for the seventh-year All-Pro's second career pick. Dallas marched right down the field for 35 yards, with help from a successful fake field goal run by kicker Brandon Aubrey for 6 yards, to take an early 7-0 lead. Cowboys running back Javonte Williams plunged into the end zone from a yard out for the game's first touchdown.

McCarthy then completed 14 of his final 24 throws, appearing to be unfazed by the Cowboys pass rush. His first passing touchdown came on a picturesque play-action rollout to the left before he hit wide receiver Jalen Nailor right in the chest over Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland to tie the game at seven. Following Dallas' six-play, 73-yard drive to answer with a one-yard rushing touchdown from backup running back Malik Davis, McCarthy griddied his way into the end zone. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the one, he faked handing the football off up the middle before dancing his way into the end zone untouched on a naked bootleg jog to the left pylon. In the second half, he hit Nailor again in the right flat to beat Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson for a four-yard touchdown.

It was obvious Sunday was an off night for Dallas with Aubrey with a rare two misses at AT&T Stadium. He pushed a 51-yard attempt just wide of the right up right for only his third miss (18-21) from 50-59 yards at AT&T Stadium in his three-year career before missing a 59-yarder well to the right to fall to 18-22 from that range.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott finished with 294 yards passing while completing 23 of his 38 throws. Dallas' offensive line struggled in pass protection, which had Prescott scrambling and throwing on the run more than usual to begin the game. The Cowboys failed to find the end zone after their third drive of the game in the second quarter. Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb produced 111 yards receiving on 6 catches after returning from a concussion, but wide receiver George Pickens had a quiet 33-yard night on 3 catches a week after having his effort questioned in a 44-34 defeat at the Detroit Lions.

Dallas would need to win out and hope the Eagles lose their last three games to reach the playoffs or it will have a long offseason to ponder how to fix a defense that helped waste a top-five scoring offense in the prime of Prescott's career in 2025.

Updates

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Dec 14, 2025 at 11:13 pm ET

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DT Quinnen Williams is being evaluated for a concussion

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Dec 14, 2025 at 11:09 pm ET

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Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams helped off the field by trainers

Dallas' most important defensive player is injured

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Dec 14, 2025 at 11:05 pm ET

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Vikings hold Cowboys a yard short on fourth down to force turnover on downs

Dallas is staring down a gut wrenching home loss against a Minnesota Vikings squad with nothing left to play for

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Dec 14, 2025 at 11:04 pm ET

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Cowboys LT Nate Thomas (shoulder) questionable to return

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:55 pm ET

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J.J. McCarthy throws second pass TD to Jalen Nailor

Nailor beat Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson to the right pylon in the flat, and McCarthy found him for a four-yard touchdown pass. The Vikings lead 31-23 with 9:12 left to play.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:51 pm ET

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Brandon Aubrey misses 59-yard field goal very wide and to the right

Aubrey is going through some rare struggles this evening with his second miss of the night. Aubrey is now 18 of 22 from 50-59 yards in his career at AT&T Stadium.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:50 pm ET

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George Pickens now has the most receiving yards in a player's first season with the Cowboys

George Pickens has now broken Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens' record for the most receiving yards by a player in their first season with the #DallasCowboys. Owens previously held the record with 1,180 yards in 2006, but Pickens is now up to 1,195 on the season.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:45 pm ET

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Vikings rule out DT Javon Hargrave (groin)

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:41 pm ET

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Vikings retake the lead on one-yard rush TD by C.J. Ham

Dallas' pass rush is struggling to get home, which allowed Minnesota QB J.J. McCarthy to complete passes of 29 and 23 yards. Minnesota leads 24-23 with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:29 pm ET

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Cowboys forced to settle for 41-yard field goal, extend lead to six

A false start penalty on fill-in left tackle Nate Thomas derailed the drive, but Dallas is now up six points, 23-17, with 4:50 left in the third quarter.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:15 pm ET

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Cowboys retake the lead on Brandon Aubrey's 26-yard field goal

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:08 pm ET

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Cowboys rule out FB Hunter Luepke (concussion)

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Dec 14, 2025 at 10:08 pm ET

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Javonte Williams returns to action, runs for 15 yards in first carry back

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Dec 14, 2025 at 9:51 pm ET

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Brandon Aubrey drills the 37-yard field goal, game tied at 17

The Cowboys will start the second half with the ball in a tie game

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Dec 14, 2025 at 9:47 pm ET

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Tyler Smith walks off the field surrounded by Cowboys training staff

Left guard Tyler Smith walks off the field unassisted for the Dallas Cowboys, and he is rubbing his eye.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 9:29 pm ET

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Brandon Aubrey has rare missed field goal at AT&T Stadium

How rare was Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey's 51-yard missed field goal at AT&T Stadium? It was just third miss between 50 and 59 yards at home. He is now 18 for 21 from 50-59 yards out at AT&T Stadium.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 9:17 pm ET

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J.J. McCarthy's bootleg keeper allows him to stroll into the end zone untouched

McCarthy swag-walked his way into the end zone with ease on fourth-and-goal from the one with ease to tie the game at 14 with 9:28 left to play.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 9:13 pm ET

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J.J. McCarthy, Jordan Addison capitalize on Cowboys' blown coverage

A Cowboys' coverage bust on third-and-8 leaves Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison wide open for a 58-yard gain down the four. Players are still struggling to mesh well with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' zone defense.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 9:05 pm ET

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Malik Davis plunges into end zone for one-yard rush TD, Dallas retakes the lead

The Dallas Cowboys retake the lead on RB Malik Davis' one-yard TD plunge. Strong response with a six-play, 73-yard touchdown drive in response to the Minnesota Vikings' quick sore. Dallas leads 14-7 eight seconds into the second quarter.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:52 pm ET

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J.J. McCarthy connects with Jalen Nailor for 20-yard pass TD

McCarthy rolled left on the play-action pass, and he hit Nailor, who made a strong contested test over Cowboys CB DaRon Bland to tie the game at seven with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:46 pm ET

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Cowboys' Javonte Williams (shoulder) is questionable to return

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:42 pm ET

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Vikings' Ryan Wright drills 65-yard punt down to Dallas' 3

The Cowboys will begin their next drive backed up against their own goal line up 7-0 with 4:31 to go in the first quarter.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:35 pm ET

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Javonte Williams rumbles into end zone for one-yard TD

Williams punches the Cowboys into the end zone from a yard out to put them up 7-0 after each team's first drive.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:29 pm ET

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Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey pulls off a successful fake field goal

Dallas All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey caught the pitch back from holder Bryan Anger, and Aubrey took off for a gain of six to convert for a first down. He slid down just past the sticks in order to avoid taking a hit on the play. The Cowboys are pulling out all the stops early in primetime.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:27 pm ET

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Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams picks off J.J. McCarthy's deflected pass for second career interception

DT Quinnen Williams records the second interception of his seven-year career thanks to Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's pass being deflected at the line of scrimmage. The #DallasCowboys begin their first drive at the Minnesota 35.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:22 pm ET

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The Cowboys win the coin toss and elect to defer to the second half

The Minnesota Vikings and QB J.J. McCarthy will start with the football.

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:15 pm ET

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Cowboys QB Dak Prescott vs. Brian Flores' blitz is a matchup that could decide the game

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores presents a strength-on-strength matchup with his relentless blitz packages. Minnesota sends five or more pass rushers on a league-high 49.2% of opponent dropbacks, per TruMedia. The next-closest team, Atlanta, is at 40.4%.

When blitzing, the Vikings allow a 58% completion rate (ninth-lowest in the NFL) and just 6.2 yards per attempt (fifth-lowest). Prescott has been one of the league's best quarterbacks against pressure, ranking third in completion percentage (68.5%) and passing yards (1,137) versus the blitz this season.

Dak Prescott vs. the blitz (2025 season)		NFL Ranks
Completion percentage	68.5%	3rd
Pass Yards	1,137	3rd
Pass TD	9	T-8th
Passer Rating	106.4	11th
Expected points added (EPA) per dropback	0.21	8th

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Dec 14, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET

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CB Trevon Diggs felt ready to play in Week 15, but the Cowboys felt otherwise

The Dallas Cowboys announced CB Trevon Diggs will not be activated and is ruled out for Week 15 vs. the Minnesota Vikings on "Sunday Night Football." This comes despite Diggs saying he felt ready to play and expected to play when talking to him after practice yesterday.

Cowboys do not activate Trevon Diggs for 'Sunday Night Football' despite CB feeling ready to make return

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Dec 14, 2025 at 7:45 pm ET

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CB Trevon Diggs' disconnect with the Dallas Cowboys

Dallas disconnect: Cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) feels ready to return from IR, but the Dallas Cowboys are asking for a little more from Diggs. QB Dak Prescott is serving as a middle man between the two sides. Here's what's going on with Diggs and what's next.

What's going on with Trevon Diggs? Inside the Cowboys' hesitation to bring back their star CB

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Dec 14, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET

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Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb clears concussion protocol, not dwelling on re-injury risk for 'Sunday Night Football'

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has cleared concussion protocol, and he will return for "Sunday Night Football" 10 days after being concussed. Here's why he's not worried, how the protocol went for him and more.

"I don't dwell on it," Lamb said.

Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb clears concussion protocol, not dwelling on re-injury risk for 'Sunday Night Football'

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