Vikings Upset Cowboys 34-26, Dashing Playoff Hopes

The Minnesota Vikings delivered a significant blow to the Dallas Cowboys' playoff aspirations with a 34-26 victory at AT&T Stadium. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy showcased his talents by throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another, leading the Vikings to a 6-8 record, while the Cowboys fell to 6-7-1, severely damaging their playoff hopes.

The game began poorly for McCarthy, whose first pass was intercepted, allowing the Cowboys to take an early 7-0 lead with a Javonte Williams touchdown. However, the Vikings quickly tied the game with a touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor.

In a back-and-forth affair, Dallas briefly led in the third quarter, but McCarthy's touchdown runs and passes ultimately gave the Vikings the upper hand. Despite gaining more total yards, the Cowboys struggled on third downs, converting only 2 of 12 attempts, and saw kicker Brandon Aubrey miss two critical field goals.

With the loss, Dallas's chances of making the playoffs dropped to a mere one percent, needing to win their final three games while hoping for the Eagles to lose theirs. This game marks the Vikings' second consecutive win, while the Cowboys face a precarious path to the postseason, putting immense pressure on their remaining schedule.

Injuries also plagued the Cowboys, with key players like Quinnen Williams and Javonte Williams facing health concerns, further complicating their situation as they head into the final stretch of the season.