ARLINGTON, Texas — In a primetime upset on Sunday Night Football, the already playoff-eliminated Minnesota Vikings stormed into AT&T Stadium and delivered a crushing 34-26 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, burying Dallas’ faint postseason hopes for the 2025 season.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, in just his eighth career start, played like a league veteran, throwing for two touchdowns (both to wide receiver Jalen Nailor) while adding a rushing score. Fullback C.J. Ham punched in the go-ahead touchdown on his first carry of the season late in the third quarter, and kicker Will Reichard sealed the deal with a 53-yard field goal in the final minutes. The Vikings (now 6-8) played with nothing to lose after being mathematically eliminated earlier in the day, but exposed the Cowboys on both sides of the ball.

For Dallas (6-7-1), the loss was a devastating blow to a season that had lined up for a late-season surge. Coming off a three-game winning streak that included impressive home victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys had climbed back over .500 and reignited playoff chatter among fans. But back-to-back defeats—first to the Detroit Lions, now to a spoiler-minded Vikings squad—have dropped their postseason probability to less than 1%, according to multiple analytics models including The Athletic’s playoff simulator and NFL Next Gen Stats.

Dak Prescott, the league leader in passing yards entering the game, completed 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards but was held without a touchdown pass for only the third time this season. The Cowboys’ offense managed two short-yardage rushing scores from Javonte Williams and Malik Davis, while kicker Brandon Aubrey (usually automatic) connected on multiple field goals but missed 2 others in a rare off night. He added the highlight of the night for Dallas, a fake field goal run for a first down on their initial drive. Dallas outgained Minnesota 423-327 and controlled time of possession, yet converted just 2-of-12 third downs and settled for field goals too often in the red zone once again.

Defensively, the Cowboys struggled to pressure McCarthy, recording no sacks and allowing the young QB to pick apart their secondary with poise. Despite a midseason trade for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams that bolstered the run defense during the win streak, the pass rush and coverage lapsed in critical moments, echoing issues from earlier in the year.

The only remaining path to the playoffs for Dallas is an improbable one: win their final three games while the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles (currently 9-5 or better after their win earlier Sunday) lose all three of theirs. That would allow the Cowboys to claim the NFC East title—their sole realistic shot, as wild-card contention is now mathematically out of reach amid a crowded NFC field led by teams like the Rams, Bears, and others with better records.

With upcoming matchups including a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers and road divisional match-ups with the Commanders and Giants , the Cowboys had a reasonable chance to win-out. But Sunday’s performance against an opponent with nothing to play for all but ended hope as well as raises serious questions about this team’s future roster and coaching positions under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

As Vikings “Skol”’chants echoed through Jerry World in the closing minutes, the harsh reality set in for Cowboys Nation: a second straight year without postseason football. An important offseason awaits in Dallas with decisions on personnel and coaching in order to even reclaim contender status in a loaded NFC. For now, Jerry Jones’ dream of January football has turned into a nightmare with this late-season downfall.

“The Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. Co-editor at the “We Like Sportz Show”. Follow “Cowboy Regg” on X @ Irish_Cowboy88