<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n
Jerome Miron\/AP<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates with head coach Brian Schottenheimer after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n
Jerome Miron\/AP<\/p>\n
Teammates console Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) after a missed field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n
Jerome Miron\/AP<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis, center scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n
Jerome Miron\/AP<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) \u2014 Dak Prescott stared blankly for several seconds when the star quarterback was asked what the goal would be for the Dallas Cowboys over the final three games with their playoff hopes all but gone.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The long pause said it all after a Minnesota team that was eliminated from postseason contention before kickoff Sunday night put Prescott’s crew in basically the same place with a 34-26 victory.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Dallas (6-7-1) might be eliminated before playing its next game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers (10-4). NFC East rival Philadelphia (9-5), the defending Super Bowl champion, likely will finish off the Cowboys by beating four-win Washington on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a professional football player,\u201d Prescott said, still searching for the words. \u201cYou have to come to work and give your absolute best, regardless. I know for a lot of guys, it\u2019s just the business of the world, right? That\u2019s interviews for some people. You can\u2019t just give up. You can\u2019t just stop. You can\u2019t just say, \u2018Oh, we\u2019re not going to playoffs.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
A three-game November winning streak gave the Cowboys hope during a trying season that started with the trade of star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay a week before the opener at the Eagles, and was jarred midseason when 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died of an apparent suicide.<\/p>\n
The surge started after an eventful open week that included Kneeland’s death and a trade that brought standout defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets, a move that sparked a struggling defense.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Those struggles are back \u2014 the winning streak ended with a 44-30 loss at Detroit \u2014 and the personnel questions that surround the defense grow larger now without a playoff spot on the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them: \u2018Hey, we\u2019re not changing. We\u2019re not changing who we are,\u2019\u201d first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer said. \u201cWe knew that we\u2019re guaranteed 17 games and I\u2019m not going to wake up any different tomorrow. I\u2019m frustrated that we didn\u2019t find a way to get this game done. I\u2019m frustrated that we were that poor on third down. We\u2019re better than that. I\u2019m better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cowboys made three consecutive playoff trips with 12-5 records under Mike McCarthy from 2021-23, but that run ended along with his contract and last season’s 7-10 finish. The sides couldn’t agree on his return, which led to Schottenheimer.<\/p>\n
Now Dallas is at risk of consecutive losing records for the first time since all three of former coach Dave Campo’s seasons (2000-02) ended at 5-11. Following the visit from the likely playoff-bound Chargers, the Cowboys finish with road games against the Commanders and the New York Giants, both teams below them in the NFC East.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that you accept it, but I sure am going to live with it,\u201d owner Jerry Jones said. \u201cI really thought we\u2019d come out of here with a win, so I\u2019m very disappointed. But I thought that we would play better against Detroit, too, so when I look back at both games, this is a letdown.\u201d<\/p>\n
What’s working<\/p>\n
RB Javonte Williams last week clinched his first 1,000-yard season in his fifth year. He followed that up with one of his most efficient games, rushing for 91 yards on 15 carries (6.1 yards per carry). And that was after missing most of the first half with a shoulder injury. His 1-yard plunge was his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.<\/p>\n
What needs help<\/p>\n
Minnesota’s blitzing defense gave Dallas fits on third down. The Cowboys were 2 of 12, and Prescott went without a touchdown pass for just the third time this season. The two sacks didn’t really illustrate how much pressure he faced.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Stock up<\/p>\n
The Cowboys were much better returning and covering kickoffs than they were in the loss to the Lions, when breakdowns by the coverage unit made it difficult to try to rally in the fourth quarter. Minnesota’s average field position after kickoffs was its 28-yard line.<\/p>\n
Stock down<\/p>\n
CB Trevon Diggs might have played his last game for the Cowboys in Week 6. He sustained a concussion in an accident at home the next week and hasn’t made it off injured reserve. The Cowboys say knee issues are keeping him off the field now. If he’s not activated before the game against the Chargers, Diggs’ season will be over. He’s a prime candidate to get released in a cost-cutting move during the offseason.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Injuries<\/p>\n
Standout DT Quinnen Williams will be the biggest question of the week after sustaining a concussion against the Vikings. … If LT Tyler Guyton can’t return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for three games, Dallas might have to stick with a third option at his position. Nate Thomas injured a shoulder, and Hakeem Adeniji was called for holding soon after replacing him. The penalty helped cut short a drive with Dallas down eight in the fourth quarter. The drive ended on downs.<\/p>\n
Key number<\/p>\n
2 \u2014 Missed field goals by Brandon Aubrey, the first time he has missed more than one at home in his three seasons. Both were from 50-plus yards, as were the only other two misses he had this season. The 59-yard attempt would have given Dallas a lead in the fourth quarter. Instead, the miss gave the Vikings a short field and led to a touchdown.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Next steps<\/p>\n
The Chargers have won three in a row at the Cowboys, most recently in 2017, the year the franchise moved to LA.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n