The game at AT&T Stadium finished Minnesota Vikings -34, Dallas Cowboys- 26, with both teams now 6–8 on the season. Dallas actually outgained Minnesota in total yards 423–327 and led in time of possession, but still came up short on the scoreboard.
Dak Prescott threw for 294 yards on 23-of-38 passing, while rookie J.J. McCarthy delivered 250 passing yards with two touchdown throws and one interception plus a rushing score for Minnesota. Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey kept the hosts in the game with four field goals, but the Vikings’ late surge in the fourth quarter proved decisive.
Man of the match
The standout performer and clear man of the match was Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He accounted for three total touchdowns, efficiently guiding the offense and repeatedly punishing the Cowboys’ defense on crucial downs.
While Prescott piled up more yards, McCarthy’s combination of timely passing and a key rushing score directly swung momentum in Minnesota’s favor, especially in the second half. His composure on the road in a playoff‑style environment separated him from every other player on the field.
Key moments
Several turning points shaped the 34–26 result.
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C.J. Ham’s one‑yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter gave Minnesota a late lead after Dallas had controlled much of the second half.
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On a vital fourth‑and‑1, Aaron Jones converted with a four‑yard run, extending a Vikings drive that ended in Will Reichard’s 53‑yard field goal and an eight‑point advantage.
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Dallas challenged a Jones run, believing the ball was out before he was down, but the call stood, costing them both a timeout and field position.
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Aubrey’s last 41‑yard field goal with 19 seconds left only reduced the deficit, and the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Minnesota to close the game.
Key player highlights
Several stars delivered big statistical performances on both sides.
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Dak Prescott (DAL, QB) – 23/38, 294 passing yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; moved the ball well between the 20s but the offense struggled to finish drives in the red zone.
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J.J. McCarthy (MIN, QB) – 15/24, 250 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT, plus 1 rushing TD; highly efficient and dangerous on play‑action.
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Javonte Williams (DAL, RB) – 15 carries, 91 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, giving Dallas balance and several explosive runs.
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Aaron Jones (MIN, RB) – 12 carries, 34 rushing yards; his late fourth‑down conversion and tough runs helped ice the game despite modest yardage.
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CeeDee Lamb (DAL, WR) – 6 receptions, 111 yards, repeatedly stretching Minnesota’s secondary and leading all receivers in yardage.
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Jordan Addison (MIN, WR) – 2 catches for 66 yards, making key chunk plays that set up scoring chances.
Why the Vikings won
Minnesota made the most of its chances while Dallas repeatedly left points on the field. The Vikings were more efficient in the red zone, finishing three of four trips with touchdowns, whereas the Cowboys turned high yardage into just two touchdowns and relied heavily on field goals.
Dallas also hurt itself with penalties and a few critical defensive lapses, including blown coverages on McCarthy’s scoring drives and the failure to stop Aaron Jones on fourth down. Although the Cowboys controlled time of possession and total offense, Minnesota created the higher‑impact plays at key stages and protected the ball better in the second half.
Why the Cowboys lost
The Cowboys’ main issue was situational execution, not overall production. They moved the ball consistently but went only 2-of-5 in the red zone, settling for four Aubrey field goals instead of touchdowns.
Defensively, Dallas allowed McCarthy to extend drives on third down and gave up a crushing late touchdown drive capped by Ham’s one‑yard run. Combined with the unsuccessful challenge on Jones’ run and some costly penalties, those mistakes turned a winnable game into a damaging home defeat.
Where can I see full match highlight and player stats?
Full match highlight videos and detailed player stats are available on major sports sites such as ESPN, the Vikings’ official page and other NFL box‑score platforms that covered Vikings 34–26 Cowboys.
