Field Level Media
15 Dec 2025, 10:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
J.J. McCarthy passed for two touchdowns and ran for one to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 34-26 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at Arlington, Texas.
Jalen Nailor caught both scoring passes and C.J. Ham rushed for a touchdown as the Vikings (6-8) won their second straight game.
Dak Prescott completed 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards for the Cowboys (6-7-1), who lost their second straight game. Playoff hopes are slim as Dallas would need to win its final three regular-season contests and have the NFC East-rival Philadelphia Eagles lose all three of their games to land a postseason berth.
Javonte Williams (91 yards on 15 carries) and Malik Davis rushed for touchdowns for Dallas. CeeDee Lamb caught six passes on 10 targets for 111 yards for the Cowboys.
McCarthy completed 15 of 24 passes for 250 yards for the Vikings, who were eliminated from playoff consideration earlier Sunday.
Brandon Aubrey kicked field goals of 26 and 41 yards in the third quarter to give the Cowboys a 23-17 lead with 4:50 remaining.
Ham scored from the 1 with 1:12 left in the period to give the Vikings a 24-23 edge.
Aubrey was wide right from 59 yards with 12:20 left in the game and Minnesota responded by driving 51 yards on five plays. McCarthy hit Nailor on a 4-yard scoring pass to make it 31-23 with 9:12 remaining.
Will Reichard kicked a 53-yard field goal with 1:08 left to make it an 11-point margin.
Aubrey kicked a 41-yard field goal with 19 seconds left before Minnesota's Josh Oliver recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal it.
Williams scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter to give Dallas the early lead. The Vikings tied it when McCarthy tossed a 20-yard scoring pass to Nailor with 2:35 left in the first quarter.
The Cowboys took a 14-7 lead when Davis scored from the 1 on the second play of the second quarter. Minnesota knotted the score on McCarthy's 1-yard bootleg with 9:28 left in the half.
Reichard kicked a 29-yard field goal to put the Vikings ahead with 1:48 remaining before Aubrey booted a 37-yarder to tie it at 17 with 3 seconds left in the half.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Austin Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: For millions of Americans struggling with depression, treatment will soon extend beyond clinics and pharmacies. U.S....
ROME: Italy's famed food culture earned new global recognition as UNESCO added the rituals surrounding Italian cooking and eating to...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: Intel's aggressive push to rebuild its position in artificial intelligence has repeatedly intersected with...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: With inflation still above target and the job market losing momentum, the Federal Reserve lowered interest...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's SK On said it will unwind its battery partnership with Ford Motor, bringing an early end to a high-profile...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Consumers reaching for healthier snacks will soon find a new option on U.S. shelves – sugar-free Oreos. Mondelez...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Twelve former FBI agents who lost their jobs after kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington, D.C.,...
(Photo credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images) J.J. McCarthy passed for two touchdowns and ran for one to lead the Minnesota Vikings to...
(Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images) Justin Herbert threw for 210 yards and one touchdown while counterpart Patrick Mahomes...
(Photo credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images) Rylan Griffen posted 19 points to lead a balanced scoring effort and Texas A&M overwhelmed...
(Photo credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK) FaZe Vegas, the Miami Heretics and the Riyadh Falcons picked up...
(Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons departed Sunday's road game against the Denver...
