Final2025 Week 15

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys, Week 15 2025

Minnesota Vikings

AwayWon

34

Dallas Cowboys

Home

26

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Vikings71071034
Cowboys7106326

MIN 34DAL 26 Final

  • Passing leader

    Dak Prescott

    DAL · QB

    12.0PPR pts

    23/38, 294 YDS

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Jalen Nailor

    MIN · WR

    19.5PPR pts

    3 REC, 47 YDS, 2 TD

  • Cowboys leader

    CeeDee Lamb

    DAL · WR

    17.1PPR pts

    6 REC, 111 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Quinnen Williams

    DAL

    1 INT, 3 TKL

Vikings 34, Cowboys 26: Minnesota beats Dallas

Minnesota broke a 17–17 halftime tie, outscoring Dallas 17–9 after the break to win 34–26. Dallas outgained the Vikings 423–327, but the Vikings averaged 6.3 yards per play.

The Cowboys went 2-for-12 on third down.

Key advantages

  • +0.2 yards/play MIN 6.3 · DAL 6.1
  • +5% third-down rate MIN 22% · DAL 17%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Vikings Won

Minnesota won the efficiency and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Vikings vs Cowboys
VikingsStatCowboys
6.3Yards per play6.1
22%Third-down conversion17%
Other team stats
327Total yards423
52Plays69
1Turnovers0
27:24Time of possession32:36

Scoring Summary

The Vikings scored four touchdowns and two field goals; the Cowboys scored two touchdowns and four field goals.

Scoring plays, Vikings vs Cowboys
TimeTeamPlayMINDAL
1st quarter
8:23DALJavonte Williams 1-yard TD run Takes leadBrandon Aubrey XP07
2:35MINJ.J. McCarthy → Jalen Nailor, 20-yard TD Ties gameWill Reichard XP77
2nd quarter
14:52DALMalik Davis 1-yard TD run Takes leadBrandon Aubrey XP714
9:28MINJ.J. McCarthy 1-yard TD run Ties gameWill Reichard XP1414
1:48MINWill Reichard 29-yard FG Takes lead1714
0:03DALBrandon Aubrey 37-yard FG Ties game1717
3rd quarter
11:14DALBrandon Aubrey 26-yard FG Takes lead1720
4:50DALBrandon Aubrey 41-yard FG Extends lead1723
1:12MINC.J. Ham 1-yard TD run Takes leadWill Reichard XP2423
4th quarter
9:12MINJ.J. McCarthy → Jalen Nailor, 4-yard TD Extends leadWill Reichard XP3123
1:08MINWill Reichard 53-yard FG Extends lead3423
0:19DALBrandon Aubrey 41-yard FG3426

Fantasy Points: Vikings vs Cowboys, Week 15 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. J.J. McCarthyMINQB24.5 PTSQB7
  2. Jalen NailorMINWR19.5 PTSWR10
  3. CeeDee LambDALWR17.1 PTSWR15
  4. Javonte WilliamsDALRB15.1 PTSRB16

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Dak PrescottDALQB12.0QB2523/382940012084.8Start/Sit →
J.J. McCarthyMINQB24.5QB715/24250214151108.0Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Jalen NailorMINWR19.5WR10WR1-2053472Start/Sit →
CeeDee LambDALWR17.1WR15WR———1061110Start/Sit →
Javonte WilliamsDALRB15.1RB16RB15911————Start/Sit →
Malik DavisDALRB11.7RB23RB821132160
T.J. HockensonMINTE10.6TE13TE———54660Start/Sit →
Aaron JonesMINRB9.5RB32RB1234033310
Jordan AddisonMINWR8.6WR45WR———22660Start/Sit →
Ryan FlournoyDALWR8.0WR50WR———54400Start/Sit →
George PickensDALWR6.3WR58WR———63330Start/Sit →
Justin JeffersonMINWR4.2WR76WR———82220Start/Sit →
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE3.9TE37TE———11290Start/Sit →
Jake FergusonDALTE3.6TE39TE———42160Start/Sit →
Jonathan MingoDALWR3.5WR82WR———11250Start/Sit →
KaVontae TurpinDALWR3.2WR83WR12022100Start/Sit →
Jordan MasonMINRB2.9RB57RB10290————
Josh OliverMINTE2.8TE47TE———11180
Brevyn Spann-FordDALTE0.0—TE———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

  1. Justin JeffersonWR53 snaps96%
  2. T.J. HockensonTE44 snaps80%
  3. Jordan AddisonWR35 snaps64%
  4. Josh OliverTE34 snaps62%
  5. Aaron JonesRB32 snaps58%

Target Share24 targets

  1. Justin Jefferson33%, 8 targets
  2. T.J. Hockenson21%, 5 targets
  3. Jalen Nailor21%, 5 targets
  4. Aaron Jones13%, 3 targets
  5. Jordan Addison8%, 2 targets
  6. Other4%, 1 targets

Carry Share27 carries

  1. Aaron Jones44%, 12 carries
  2. Jordan Mason37%, 10 carries
  3. J.J. McCarthy15%, 4 carries
  4. Jalen Nailor4%, 1 carries

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. CeeDee LambWR60 snaps86%
  2. George PickensWR60 snaps86%
  3. Jake FergusonTE50 snaps71%
  4. Ryan FlournoyWR45 snaps64%
  5. Malik DavisRB37 snaps53%

Target Share33 targets

  1. CeeDee Lamb30%, 10 targets
  2. George Pickens18%, 6 targets
  3. Ryan Flournoy15%, 5 targets
  4. Jake Ferguson12%, 4 targets
  5. Malik Davis9%, 3 targets
  6. Other15%, 5 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. Javonte Williams60%, 15 carries
  2. Malik Davis32%, 8 carries
  3. Dak Prescott4%, 1 carries
  4. KaVontae Turpin4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Justin JeffersonMINWR5396%833%0
CeeDee LambDALWR6086%1030%0
George PickensDALWR6086%618%0
T.J. HockensonMINTE4480%521%0
Jake FergusonDALTE5071%412%0
Ryan FlournoyDALWR4564%515%0
Jordan AddisonMINWR3564%28%0
Josh OliverMINTE3462%14%0
Aaron JonesMINRB3258%313%12
Malik DavisDALRB3753%39%8
Jalen NailorMINWR2851%521%1
Jordan MasonMINRB2036%00%10
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE2130%13%0
Brevyn Spann-FordDALTE2130%13%0
Javonte WilliamsDALRB2029%00%15
KaVontae TurpinDALWR1420%26%1
Ben SimsMINTE916%00%0
Jonathan MingoDALWR710%13%0
Tai FeltonMINWR12%00%0
Myles PriceMINWR12%00%0
Ben YurosekMINTE12%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Dak PrescottDAL · QB12.017.5−5.5100%38 att—3814%00%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR17.117.0+0.186%29% tgt—000%1029%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR4.213.6−9.496%33% tgt—000%833%
J.J. McCarthyMIN · QB24.513.2+11.3100%24 att—24414%00%
Aaron Jones Sr.MIN · RB9.512.9−3.458%43% car—01243%313%
Malik DavisDAL · RB11.710.3+1.453%29% car—0829%39%
George PickensDAL · WR6.310.2−3.986%17% tgt—000%617%
Javonte WilliamsDAL · RB15.19.7+5.429%54% car—01554%00%
Jalen NailorMIN · WR19.59.2+10.351%21% tgt—014%521%
Ryan FlournoyDAL · WR8.08.5−0.564%14% tgt—000%514%
T.J. HockensonMIN · TE10.68.5+2.180%21% tgt—000%521%
Jake FergusonDAL · TE3.66.8−3.271%11% tgt—000%411%
Jordan MasonMIN · RB2.96.5−3.636%36% car—01036%00%
Hunter LuepkeDAL · RB5.05.3−0.3—11% car—0311%26%
KaVontae TurpinDAL · WR3.24.1−0.920%6% tgt—014%26%
Jordan AddisonMIN · WR8.63.4+5.264%8% tgt—000%28%
Brevyn Spann-FordDAL · TE0.01.7−1.730%3% tgt—000%13%
Jonathan MingoDAL · WR3.51.7+1.810%3% tgt—000%13%
Josh OliverMIN · TE2.81.7+1.162%4% tgt—000%14%
Luke SchoonmakerDAL · TE3.91.7+2.230%3% tgt—000%13%
C.J. HamMIN · RB6.10.6+5.5—4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Vikings 24 targets and 28 carries; Cowboys 35 targets and 28 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

J.J. McCarthy Ran hot

MIN · QB · 24.5 pts on 13.2 expected

15 of 24 passing for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 4 carries for 15 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: J.J. McCarthy →

Dak Prescott Unlucky

DAL · QB · 12.0 pts on 17.5 expected

23 of 38 passing for 294 yards; 1 carry for 2 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Dak Prescott →

Justin Jefferson Volume, no payoff

MIN · WR · 4.2 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (33% of the team's), 2 catches for 22 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Justin Jefferson →

Aaron Jones Sr.

MIN · RB · 9.5 pts on 12.9 expected

3 targets (13% of the team's), 3 catches for 31 yards; 12 carries (43% of the team's) for 34 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.9 expected.

CeeDee Lamb

DAL · WR · 17.1 pts on 17.0 expected

10 targets (29% of the team's), 6 catches for 111 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.0 expected.

Start/Sit: CeeDee Lamb →

Malik Davis

DAL · RB · 11.7 pts on 10.3 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 2 catches for 16 yards; 8 carries (29% of the team's) for 21 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.3 expected.

Javonte Williams Ran hot

DAL · RB · 15.1 pts on 9.7 expected

15 carries (54% of the team's) for 91 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Javonte Williams →

Jalen Nailor Ran hot

MIN · WR · 19.5 pts on 9.2 expected

5 targets (21% of the team's), 3 catches for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for -2 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jalen Nailor →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Minnesota Vikings

  • Stock up: Josh Oliver played 62% of the snaps, up from a 39% season average.
  • Stock down: Jalen Nailor played 51% of the snaps, down from a 68% season average.
  • Stock down: Jordan Addison played 64% of the snaps, down from a 89% season average.

Dallas Cowboys

  • Stock up: Malik Davis led the backfield with 53% of the snaps after trailing Javonte Williams before this game.
  • Stock up: Ryan Flournoy played 64% of the snaps, up from a 44% season average.
  • Stock down: Javonte Williams lost the backfield lead: 29% of the snaps to Malik Davis's 53%.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Vikings defense and Cowboys defense
Points allowed toVikings DCowboys D
QBs11.522.9
RBs19.025.2
WRs23.538.4
TEs10.712.2

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Dallas opened at 66% win probability, climbed as high as 86%, then lost.

Cowboys win probability

Cowboys win probability by game minuteCowboys started at 66%, stood at 61% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 12 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −19McCarthy → Nailor, 20-yd TD83% → 64%Q1 2:35
  2. +19Davis 1-yd TD run64% → 83%Q2 14:52
  3. −20McCarthy 1-yd TD run83% → 63%Q2 9:28
  4. −33Ham 1-yd TD run86% → 53%Q3 1:12
  5. −40McCarthy → Nailor, 4-yd TD49% → 9%Q4 9:12

Swing in Cowboys win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Vikings vs Cowboys
Minnesota VikingsMeasureDallas Cowboys
52Plays69
46%Pass rate58%
10.4Yds / dropback7.1
2.8Yds / carry4.8
2/9Third downs2/12

Efficiency edge Minnesota ran 17 fewer plays but gained 3.3 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • MIN Jefferson 33% · Nailor 21% · Hockenson 21%
  • DAL Lamb 29% · Pickens 17% · Flournoy 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Vikings vs Cowboys
ResultMINDAL
Touchdowns42
Field goals24
Punts21
Turnovers10
Turnovers on downs01
Missed field goals02

DAL turnover edge: +1

  • The Cowboys opened the scoring on their first possession, a 11-play, 35-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 21 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
MINQ1 15:00260:58Interception
DALQ1 14:0211355:39Touchdown
MINQ1 8:235183:52Punt
DALQ1 4:31381:23Punt
MINQ1 3:082530:33Touchdown
DALQ1 2:356732:43Touchdown
MINQ2 14:5210755:24Touchdown
DALQ2 9:288243:37Missed FG
MINQ2 5:518484:03Field goal
DALQ2 1:4810411:45Field goal
MINQ2 0:03000:03End of half
DALQ3 15:007503:46Field goal
MINQ3 11:14311:04Punt
DALQ3 10:109675:20Field goal
MINQ3 4:508733:38Touchdown
DALQ3 1:128243:52Missed FG
MINQ4 12:205513:08Touchdown
DALQ4 9:128513:42Downs
MINQ4 5:3010264:22Field goal
DALQ4 1:085420:49Field goal
MINQ4 0:191-10:19End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Vikings vs Cowboys Head-to-Head

The Vikings and Cowboys first met in 1961 and have played 35 times since.

All-time series
19–16Cowboys lead, 35 meetings since 1961
Postseason
4–3Split 4–3
Largest Vikings win
54–131970
Largest Cowboys win
40–32022

Since 2021

2–1 Cowboys lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Cowboys win, V = Vikings win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Vikings vs Cowboys
VikingsStatCowboys
9-8Record7-9-1
20.2Points per game27.7
275.0Yards per game391.9
4.9Yards per play5.9
19.6Points allowed per game30.1
282.6Yards allowed per game377.0

Vikings vs Cowboys Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
DAL −5.5Cowboys failed to cover by 13.5
Total
47.5Over: 60 points scored (by 12.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Cowboys26.526−0.5
Vikings21.034+13.0

The Vikings beat their implied total and the Cowboys fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 3 meetings: Cowboys 2–1 ATS, unders 2–1.

Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Minnesota Vikings

Against the spread
2–1
Over/under
1–2
ATS as favorite
1–0
ATS as underdog
1–1
ATS on the road
1–1

Dallas Cowboys

Against the spread
1–2
Over/under
3–0
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
0–1
ATS at home
1–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Vikings and Cowboys in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Viking or a Cowboy, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Vikings vs Cowboys Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Vikings vs Cowboys Week 15 game?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys 34–26 in Week 15 of the 2025 season. The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on December 14, 2025. See the Vikings' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Vikings vs Cowboys?

The final score was Vikings 34, Cowboys 26. The teams were tied 17–17 at halftime, and the second half went Vikings 17, Cowboys 9.

What happened in the Vikings vs Cowboys game?

Minnesota broke a 17–17 halftime tie, outscoring Dallas 17–9 after the break to win 34–26. Dallas outgained the Vikings 423–327, but the Vikings averaged 6.3 yards per play. J.J. McCarthy led all players with 15 of 24 passing for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 15 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Vikings committed 1 turnover, the Cowboys none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Vikings vs Cowboys?

J.J. McCarthy led the game with 24.5 PPR fantasy points, the QB7 of Week 15, on 15 of 24 passing for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 15 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jalen Nailor was next with 19.5 (WR10). See J.J. McCarthy's 2025 game log.

Who led Vikings vs Cowboys in passing, rushing and receiving?

Dak Prescott (DAL) led all passers with 23 of 38 for 294 yards. Javonte Williams (DAL) led in rushing with 15 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) led in receiving with 6 catches for 111 yards.

How many fantasy points did J.J. McCarthy score against the Cowboys?

J.J. McCarthy scored 24.5 fantasy points against the Cowboys in Week 15 of the 2025 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 15 of 24 passing for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 15 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Vikings vs Cowboys?

J.J. McCarthy outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 24.5 PPR points on 13.2 xFP (+11.3). Justin Jefferson fell furthest short, with 4.2 points on 13.6 xFP (−9.4). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Vikings come back to beat the Cowboys?

The Vikings' chances of winning fell as low as 14% in the third quarter. J.J. McCarthy's 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. They finished the comeback with a 34–26 win.

Which team won the turnover battle in Vikings vs Cowboys?

The Cowboys won the turnover battle 1–0: the Vikings gave the ball away 1 time and the Cowboys not at all. The Vikings won the game anyway.

What is the all-time Vikings vs Cowboys record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 19–16 across 35 meetings since 1961, including a 4–3 record in the postseason.

When did the Vikings and Cowboys last play before this game?

Before Week 15 of 2025, they last met in the 2022 season on November 20, 2022, when the Cowboys beat the Vikings 40–3.

Have the Vikings and Cowboys met in the playoffs?

Yes, 7 times, most recently in the 2009 playoffs. The Vikings are 3–4 against the Cowboys in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Vikings vs Cowboys?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Cowboys −5.5, making the Dallas Cowboys 5.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 47.5. That implied about 26.5 points for the Cowboys and 21.0 for the Vikings.

Did Vikings vs Cowboys go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 47.5, and the teams combined for 60 points, 12.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Vikings vs Cowboys?

The Vikings covered as 5.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Cowboys −5.5. The final margin was 8 points.