{"id":81642,"date":"2025-12-09T12:34:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/81642\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T12:34:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:34:07","slug":"5-things-to-know-about-the-dallas-cowboys-week-15-opponent-the-minnesota-vikings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/81642\/","title":{"rendered":"5 things to know about the Dallas Cowboys\u2019 Week 15 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings head into Sunday\u2019s clash with the Cowboys<\/a> carrying a losing record, a rookie quarterback still finding his footing, a roster hampered by injuries and only the faintest of playoff hopes.<\/p>\n

After dropping four straight, Minnesota finally showed signs of life last week<\/a>, dominating the Commanders in a 31\u20130 shutout. But at 5\u20138, the Vikings remain stuck near the bottom of the NFC standings and face an uphill climb.<\/p>\n

Against the Cowboys (6\u20136\u20131), the Vikings can only play the role of spoiler. A win at AT&T Stadium would deal a serious blow to Dallas\u2019 postseason hopes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are five things to know about the Cowboys\u2019 Week 15 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.<\/p>\n

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\"DallasDecision under scrutiny<\/p>\n

Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy returned from a concussion and delivered three touchdown passes in Minnesota\u2019s win over Washington last Sunday. His progress remains the central storyline for the Vikings, as the franchise continues to evaluate whether he can be their long-term solution under center. <\/p>\n

Just a year ago, the Vikings looked like an offensive juggernaut with Sam Darnold at quarterback. But the front office believed McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024, was ready to take over. <\/p>\n

That gamble has yet to pay off. <\/p>\n

Darnold, now thriving with the Seahawks, is enjoying a career-best season, while McCarthy has struggled to master the complexities of NFL offenses and the disguises of opposing defenses. His growing pains have been compounded by injuries: He missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury, and in 2025 has already sat out six games due to a high ankle sprain and a concussion. <\/p>\n

The numbers tell the story. In seven appearances this season, McCarthy has thrown for 1,082 yards, completing 102 of 182 passes (56%). He has seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions and has been sacked 24 times \u2014 evidence of both his inexperience and the team\u2019s protection issues. Meanwhile, Darnold, once viewed as a stop-gap option, exceeded expectations in Minnesota last year, guiding the Vikings to a 14\u20133 record and a playoff berth. His success only sharpens the contrast with McCarthy\u2019s rocky start, raising questions about whether the Vikings moved on too soon.<\/p>\n

Injury concerns<\/p>\n

The Vikings have been battered by injuries all season. Safety Theo Jackson and defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez are both nursing neck issues, while running back Ty Chandler has already been ruled out with a knee injury. Minnesota\u2019s losing record isn\u2019t just the product of offensive growing pains, it\u2019s also the result of a roster repeatedly undermined by health setbacks. Key players across multiple positions have missed time, disrupting rhythm and consistency and leaving the team struggling to find stability week after week.<\/p>\n

Here are the key injuries for the Vikings this season: <\/p>\n

PlayerPositionInjuryJ.J. McCarthyQBConcussion; Right-handChristian DarrisawLTKnee\/foot Jonathan GreenardOLBShoulderTheo JacksonSConcussion; NeckAaron JonesRBShoulder; ToeRyan KellyCConcussionDonovan JacksonLGAnkleJosh MetellusSFoot; Knee; ShoulderJosh OliverTEFootAndrew Van GinkelOLBNeckTy ChandlerRBKnee<\/p>\n

Staying competitive against the Cowboys will require depth players to step up in a big way for the Vikings.<\/p>\n

Odds and series history<\/p>\n

For the Sunday night matchup, the Cowboys are six-point favorites over the Vikings, with an over\/under of 48.5 points. Historically, the Cowboys lead the all-time series 19\u201315, including a 4\u20133 edge in postseason meetings. According to 10,000 simulations run by Dimers\u2019 NFL model, Dallas is projected to win by a score of 27\u201320. The model gives the Cowboys a 58% chance of victory, while Minnesota sits at 42% underdogs, but not without a path to an upset. If McCarthy can build on last week\u2019s three-touchdown performance, the Vikings could play spoiler and shake up the playoff picture. <\/p>\n

Fantasy spotlight: McCarthy\u2019s rookie campaign hasn\u2019t produced many wins for Minnesota, but from a fantasy perspective, he has shown real upside. In favorable matchups, he has quietly ranked as a top-12 fantasy quarterback, and with three such contests remaining to close out the season, he could be a sneaky starter down the stretch. In two games against vulnerable defenses, including last week\u2019s blowout victory, McCarthy delivered fantasy-worthy numbers, proving he can capitalize when the matchup tilts in his favor.<\/p>\n

The offense is gone<\/p>\n

The Vikings\u2019 offense has been among the league\u2019s least productive, averaging just 19 points per game (26th in the NFL). Their struggles are magnified on the road, where they manage 16 points per contest, with only the Raiders, Titans and Browns scoring fewer away from home.<\/p>\n

Minnesota\u2019s production has been equally underwhelming in both phases. They average 100 rushing yards per game (24th) and a mere 171 passing yards per game (30th). Running back Jordan Mason has been the lone bright spot on the ground, posting 630 yards and six touchdowns on 133 carries. <\/p>\n

Through the air, Justin Jefferson remains the team\u2019s most dangerous weapon, tallying 810 yards on 64 receptions, though he has reached the end zone just twice all season. Minnesota\u2019s offense fails to generate even two touchdowns per game. Their average of 1.9 touchdowns per contest ranks as the sixth-worst mark in the NFL, underscoring the unit\u2019s inability to sustain drives or finish in the red zone.<\/p>\n

Flores shines as DC<\/p>\n

Minnesota\u2019s defense has been the team\u2019s stabilizing force, ranking among the league\u2019s best despite the Vikings\u2019 overall struggles. The unit allows just 299 yards per game, the eighth-best mark in the NFL, and has surrendered 281 total points (12th). Their efficiency stands out as well, giving up only 4.9 yards per play, the sixth-best rate in the league. <\/p>\n

Linebacker Dallas Turner has emerged as the primary pass-rusher, tallying 5.5 sacks, while Blake Cashman anchors the defense with a team-high 93 tackles. Together, they embody the aggressive, disciplined style that has become the hallmark of Minnesota\u2019s defense. <\/p>\n

At the center of it all is defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whose innovative schemes have made him one of the most respected minds in coaching circles. Now in his third season with the Vikings, Flores has already left his mark, guiding the defense to 53 takeaways over his first two years, the third-most in the NFL during that span. Flores also brings valuable head coaching experience, having led the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, further cementing his reputation as a leader capable of building tough, opportunistic defenses. <\/p>\n

\"Dallas<\/a>How to watch Cowboys-Vikings: Start time, TV\/streaming info and more<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cowboys face a must\u2011win battle on Sunday vs. Minnesota.<\/p>\n

\"Dallas<\/a>Cowboys alive: Eagles\u2019 OT loss keeps Dallas\u2019 hopes afloat in NFC East race<\/a><\/p>\n

The Eagles could have clinched the division with a win and another win this upcoming Sunday against Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Minnesota Vikings head into Sunday\u2019s clash with the Cowboys carrying a losing record, a rookie quarterback still…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":81643,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[1044,102,113,104,103,19078],"class_list":["post-81642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-cowboys","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-cowboys","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news","tag-nfl-dallas-cowboys"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81642"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81642\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}