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Entering the final quarter of the NFL season, it\u2019s officially do-or-die for the Dallas Cowboys<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sitting at a precarious 6-6-1 after a damaging Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions<\/a>, the Cowboys are clinging to life in the NFC playoff picture. The road to the NFC East crown has become a steep uphill climb, with the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> holding a significant advantage at 8-5. For Dallas, the margin for error has evaporated; it can no longer afford the inconsistent performances that have defined its season.<\/p>\n With the NFC wild-card race stacked \u2014 featuring contenders like the Lions, Panthers<\/a> and Buccaneers<\/a> \u2014 the Cowboys need a near-perfect run to separate themselves. Their remaining schedule features three of four games against NFC opponents with playoff implications. The crucible begins immediately in Week 15 with a pivotal home Sunday Night Football clash against the Minnesota Vikings<\/a> (5-8).<\/p>\n While Minnesota will almost certainly miss the playoffs, it provides a tough matchup for Dallas. The Vikings’ defense is coming off a game where it shut out the Commanders<\/a>, forcing three turnovers and giving up just over 200 yards in a 31-0 win. Offensively, while J.J. McCarthy has had his struggles in his first year as a starter, the Vikings still have plenty of weapons to boats, including a top wide receiver duo in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison; with these two, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the receiving talent is off the charts.<\/p>\n Dallas needs a home primetime win to keep its playoff aspirations alive, while Minnesota is looking to build on the momentum it generated last week.<\/p>\n Follow along for all the action from AT&T Stadium.<\/p>\n STREAM: Watch Vikings vs. Cowboys LIVE with Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n Cowboys vs. Vikings score<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n NFL HQ:\u00a0Live NFL scores<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Updated NFL standings<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Full NFL schedule<\/a><\/p>\n Cowboys vs. Vikings live updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’Vikings 17, Cowboys 14<\/p>\n 9:40 p.m.:\u00a0The Vikings are unable to find the end zone, with McCarthy’s pass to Hockenson coming up incomplete.<\/p>\n Will Reichard comes on to hit a 29-yard field goal attempt, the first field goal of the game.<\/p>\n The Vikings take the lead for the first time tonight.<\/p>\n 9:36 p.m.:\u00a0At the two-minute warning, Minnesota is threatening to take the lead.<\/p>\n Coming out of the break the Vikings will have a 2nd & 10 at the 11.<\/p>\n 9:32 p.m.:\u00a0On 2nd & 5, McCarthy throws a bullet to Justin Jefferson for his first reception of the game. It goes for 12 yards down to the Dallas 21.<\/p>\n 9:30 p.m.:\u00a0The Vikings are across midfield after Jones takes a 13-yard carry to the Dallas 38.\u00a0<\/p>\n The next play, McCarthy hits Jones again, this time for five yards.<\/p>\n 9:26 p.m.:\u00a0Prescott gets crushed on 3rd & 5, going in between two Vikings defenders who stuff the Cowboys star. It was Jonathan Greenard who got to him first.<\/p>\n Aubrey comes on to attempt a 51-yard field goal, and it’s a rare miss. This one is his third of the season.<\/p>\n The Vikings have the ball back with the game tied.<\/p>\n 9:22 p.m.:\u00a0On 3rd & 10, Prescott finds Jake Fergusson for his first reception of the game, but it’s short of the line to gain.<\/p>\n The Cowboys go for it on 4th & 3 at the 50 and come up huge, with Prescott hitting Lamb over the middle of the field. It’s the second 15+ yard reception for Lamb, this one going for 17 yards.<\/p>\n 9:20 p.m.:\u00a0KaVontae Turpin takes the kickoff across the 40, and Dallas will start at the 43.<\/p>\n Vikings 14, Cowboys 14<\/p>\n 9:15 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:\u00a0McCarthy scrambled seven yards but got tackled right before the goal-line. It sets up a 4th & goal, and McCarthy pulls a naked bootleg and griddys it into the end zone.<\/p>\n JJ McCarthy griddys into the end zone!<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It’s the second-year quarterback’s second touchdown of the night and it’s 14-14.<\/p>\n 9:12 p.m.:\u00a0The Vikings get into the end zone on a Justin Jefferson touchdown, but an illegal formation penalty takes the score off the board.<\/p>\n Minnesota is now on the Dallas 8.<\/p>\n 9:10 p.m.:\u00a0\u00a0On 3rd & 8, McCarthy unleashes a bomb to Jordan Addison, and the receiver reels it in inside the 10. While he does not score, this one goes for 58 yards down to the Dallas 4.<\/p>\n BIG time play from JJ McCarthy to Jordan Addison!<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It’s the longest play of the game and Minnesota is in business.<\/p>\n 9:07 p.m.:\u00a0Minnesota gets a first down after three Jordan Mason carries.<\/p>\n The Vikings backup gets a combined 11 yards and Minnesota is across the 30 with a new set of downs.<\/p>\n Cowboys 14, Vikings 7\u00a0<\/p>\n 9:04 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:\u00a0For the second tiem tonight, a Dallas running back takes a short carry into the end zone.<\/p>\n This time, with Williams still on the sideline, it’s Davis who gets the score.<\/p>\n Malik Davis goal line TD puts the Cowboys ahead<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The teams have now exchanged touchdowns, and Dallas leads 14-7.<\/p>\n End of the first quarter: Vikings 7, Cowboys 7<\/p>\n 8:59 p.m.:\u00a0On the final play of the quarter, Malik Davis takes a carry up the middle for five yards down to the Minnesota 2.<\/p>\n To start the second, Dallas will have a 1st & goal.<\/p>\n 8:57 p.m.:\u00a0The Cowboys open up the drive with two big plays.<\/p>\n First, Prescott hits Ryan Flournoy for 19 yards, and then it’s CeeDee Lamb over the middle of the field for an even bigger completion.<\/p>\n This one goes for 30 yards and just like that, Dallas is down to the Minnesota 24.<\/p>\n Vikings 7, Cowboys 7<\/p>\n 8:51 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: It only took two plays for the Vikings to get on the board.<\/p>\n Right after the Jones play, McCarthy hits Jalen Nailor, who makes an acrobatic catch in the end zone. The receiver was banged up after the play, but got up and walked off in his own power.<\/p>\n JJ McCarthy delivers a TD strike rolling to his left!<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It’s Nailor’s third touchdown of the season and it’s 7-7.<\/p>\n 8:50 p.m.:\u00a0Here’s the latest update on Dallas back Javonte Williams, who injured his shoulder in the first quarter.<\/p>\n Cowboys RB Javonte Williams has a shoulder injury and is considered questionable to return tonight.<\/p>\n \u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 8:49 p.m.:\u00a0The Vikings have a chunk play courtesy of Jones.<\/p>\n McCarthy swings one out for the back, who takes it 18 yards. With a horse collar tackle on the end, Minnesota is now at the Dallas 20.<\/p>\n 8:45 p.m.:\u00a0Pinned deep inside their own territory, the Cowboys go three-and-out.<\/p>\n Hunter Luepke takes a carry eight yards but it’s not enough, and the teams have exchanged punts.<\/p>\n 8:40 p.m.:\u00a0On 3rd & 1, Jones gets stuffed again.<\/p>\n It was Shavon Ravel Jr. who got the tackle, and the Vikings have to punt.<\/p>\n It takes a great bounce and falls down on the Dallas 3.\u00a0<\/p>\n 8:38 p.m.:\u00a0Right after, the Vikings get their first first down.<\/p>\n McCarthy looks left and finds T.J. Hockenson, who takes it 13 yards for a first down.<\/p>\n 8:37 p.m.:\u00a0Minnesota’s next drive starts with a negative play.<\/p>\n Jones gets stuffed immediately by Kenny Clark, who was there in a second. It goes for a three-yard loss.<\/p>\n Cowboys 7, Vikings 0<\/p>\n 8:33 p.m. TOUCHDOWN:\u00a0Dallas is on the board.<\/p>\n After Williams extended the drive, he takes the next carry up the middle again, and this time, it ends in the end zone.<\/p>\n Javonte Williams 6\ufe0f\u20e3<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Dallas capitalizes off the McCarthy turnover and strikes first blood. It’s 7-0.<\/p>\n 8:31 p.m.:\u00a0Now on the six-yard line after a Ryan Flournoy reception got Dallas into the red zone, Prescott scrambles up the middle on a 3rd & 2. He was just short, setting up a 4th & 1.<\/p>\n The Cowboys go for it, and Javonte Williams takes a carry up the middle for a first down.<\/p>\n 8:27 p.m.:\u00a0The Cowboys go three-and-out on their first drive, and Aubrey’s field goal is a fake, and completed.<\/p>\n Brandon Aubrey fake field goal alert \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Brian Schottenheimer pulls one out of a hat to extend the drive.<\/p>\n 8:25 p.m.:\u00a0McCarthy throws an interception on his first pass attempt of the game.<\/p>\n He tries targeting Justin Jefferson on a curl, but it is deflected by Donovan Wilson at the line of scrimmage and it falls into the arms of Quinnen Williams.<\/p>\n Cowboys get a pick on the second play!<\/p>\n MINvsDAL on NBC \u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The trade deadline acquisition from the New York Jets<\/a> has the first turnover of the game.<\/p>\n 8:24 p.m.:\u00a0Aaron Jones Sr. starts off the game with a six-yard carry. The back had 76 yards rushing last week against the Commanders.<\/p>\n 8:22 p.m.:\u00a0Brandon Aubrey has kicked off and we are underway in Dallas.<\/p>\n First-year starter J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings offense have the ball first at the 30-yard line.<\/p>\n 8:12 p.m.:\u00a0With the game moments away, here’s what’s at stake-tonight.<\/p>\n With a win, the Cowboys would advance to 7-6-1 and keep pace in the NFC wild card race. With a loss, they will be almost eliminated from the postseason.<\/p>\n Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs earlier today, but has a key opportunity to play spoiler.<\/p>\n 8:00 p.m.:\u00a0Kickoff is quickly approaching, with the Cowboys needing to win to stay in the NFC playoff picture.<\/p>\n primetime \ud83c\udf7f<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd04 Repost to #ProBowlVote<\/a> for #GeorgePickens<\/a> + @Osagoeshard<\/a> #MINvsDAL<\/a> | @bswhealth<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FWzzvBC3Oj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 7:46 p.m.:\u00a0Minnesota has posted its inactives ahead of “Sunday Night Football.”<\/p>\n #MINvsDAL<\/a> inactives<\/p>\n QB John Wolford \u2014 Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 7:30 p.m.:\u00a0Brandon Aubrey has established himself as one of the best kickers in the NFL, consistently drilling 50 and 60 yarders.<\/p>\n Pro Bowl Power \ud83d\udd0b<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd04 Repost to #ProBowlVote<\/a> for @Brandon_Aubrey<\/a> + @tsieg58<\/a> + #BryanAnger<\/a> #MINvsDAL<\/a> | @bswhealth<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lyqzsEaCzY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 7:09 p.m.:\u00a0Last time out, CeeDee Lamb had six receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions.<\/p>\n sunday night fit \ud83d\udd25#MINvsDAL<\/a> | @Abercrombie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sUKaUI1NxU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n He now faces a Vikings defense that is coming off a shutout victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n 6:50 p.m.:\u00a0The Cowboys return home for the first time since Thanksgiving, where they beat the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> 31-28.<\/p>\n Maybe the calmest doors-opening in the history of Cowboys games at AT&T Stadium pic.twitter.com\/zN3MICbWwM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 6:35 p.m.:\u00a0Minnesota has its playoff hopes hanging by a thread entering Week 15, and they have been cut off before the team even takes the field.<\/p>\n The Vikings have been eliminated from postseason contention pic.twitter.com\/hTbqyRaKu0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NFL on CBS \ud83c\udfc8 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n After a 14-win season in 2024, Minnesota has dealt with a quarterback carousel after losing Sam Darnold in free agency; McCarthy struggled to execute on his return, and now the Vikings are officially out of the playoffs in 2025.<\/p>\n 6:03 p.m.:\u00a0The Vikings are on-site, looking for their second straight victory.<\/p>\n J.J. McCarthy and the rest of the Vikings have arrived. pic.twitter.com\/EW4krLvuvO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 6:01 p.m.:\u00a0“Sunday Night Football” is back in Dallas.<\/p>\n Waitin’ all day 4\ufe0f\u20e3 Sunday night<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd04Repost to #ProBowlVote<\/a> @dak<\/a> | @blockchain<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/b2YsO7wAlL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The Cowboys desperately need a win to stay in the NFC postseason race.\u00a0<\/p>\n Where to watch the NFL game tonightCowboys vs. Vikings start timeDate:\u00a0Sunday, Dec. 14Date:\u00a08:20 p.m.<\/p>\n The Vikings and Cowboys will kick off at 8:20 p.m. on Sunday from AT&T Stadium in Dallas.<\/p>\n This is Dallas’ second “Sunday Night Football” game at home this season.<\/p>\n What channel is Cowboys vs. Vikings on today?TV Channel: NBCLive stream:\u00a0Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n “Sunday Night Football”\u00a0airs nationally on NBC.\u00a0Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Chris Collinsworth (color commentator) will be on the call, with Melissa Stark on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/5P2lN654PM<\/a><\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/FiTdcPALPt<\/a><\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/Phhj6xjBZZ<\/a><\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/1oLnZ2MYfQ<\/a><\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/z2OE5MrpcR<\/a><\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/AV3FAqrMOW<\/a><\/p>\n
Stream on @NFLPlus<\/a> + Peacock pic.twitter.com\/5m6IdSL9gf<\/a><\/p>\n
OLB Chaz Chambliss
T Christian Darrisaw
T Walter Rouse
DL Elijah Williams<\/p>\n