Dallas Cowboys fell to the Minnesota Vikings 34‑26 on Sunday night, a loss that effectively erased any remaining playoff hopes for the 6‑7‑1 club. The defeat mirrored a recent 44‑30 loss to Detroit that snapped a three‑game November winning streak, leaving the team in a precarious position.
The Quarterback’s Pause
When asked what the goal for the Cowboys would be over the final three games, star quarterback Dak Prescott stared blankly for several seconds. The long pause said it all, as the team’s postseason prospects were already gone. “You’re a professional football player,” Prescott said, still searching for the words. “You have to come to work and give your absolute best, regardless. I know for a lot of guys, it’s just the business of the world, right? That’s interviews for some people. You can’t just give up. You can’t just stop. You can’t just say, ‘Oh, we’re not going to playoffs.’”
A Season of Turbulence
The Cowboys’ season began with the trade of star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay a week before the opener at the Eagles. Midseason, the team was jarred again when 24‑year‑old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died of an apparent suicide. The surge that followed the opening week—highlighted by a trade that brought standout defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets—sparked a struggling defense and a three‑game November winning streak. That streak ended with a 44‑30 loss at Detroit, and the personnel questions that surround the defense have grown larger now that a playoff spot is off the table.
Coaching and Ownership Perspectives
First‑year head coach Brian Schottenheimer said, “I told them: ‘Hey, we’re not changing. We’re not changing who we are,’” adding that the team was guaranteed 17 games and he would not wake up any different tomorrow. He expressed frustration that the team “didn’t find a way to get this game done” and that they were “poor on third down.”
Owner Jerry Jones echoed the disappointment, stating, “I don’t know that you accept it, but I sure am going to live with it. I really thought we’d come out of here with a win, so I’m 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.”
Player Highlights and Injuries
Running back Javonte Williams capped his first 1,000‑yard season in his fifth year with a 91‑yard, 15‑carry performance—averaging 6.1 yards per carry—even after missing most of the first half with a shoulder injury. His 1‑yard plunge was his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.
The Cowboys’ defense struggled against Minnesota’s blitzing scheme, converting only 2 of 12 third‑down attempts and yielding two sacks—an indication of the pressure Prescott faced. The Vikings’ average field position after kickoffs was the 28‑yard line.
Injuries added to the woes: CB Trevon Diggs sustained a concussion in an accident at home the week after Week 6 and has not returned from injured reserve; knee issues are keeping him off the field, and if he is not activated before the game against the Chargers, his season may end. Standout DT Quinnen Williams suffered a concussion against the Vikings, and LT Tyler Guyton’s ankle injury has sidelined him for three games, forcing the team to consider a third option at the position. Nate Thomas injured a shoulder, and Hakeem Adeniji was called for holding soon after replacing him, a penalty that cut short a drive when Dallas was down eight in the fourth quarter.
Key Numbers and Miscellaneous
Kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two field goals at home—his first time missing more than one—both from 50‑plus yards. 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.
Next Steps
The Cowboys face a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, a team that has won three consecutive games at Dallas, most recently in 2017 when the franchise moved to LA. Following that, the Cowboys will play the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants, both teams below them in the NFC East.
Key Takeaways
- Dallas fell to Minnesota, ending playoff hopes and a November winning streak.
- Prescott, Schottenheimer, and Jones discussed the season’s challenges.
- Injuries to key players and defensive struggles have compounded the team’s difficulties.
The Cowboys’ season remains in jeopardy, with consecutive losing records a possibility for the first time since the early 2000s.
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