4 Takeaways From the Vikings’ Win Over the Cowboys

[ad_1] The Dallas Cowboys did their greatest, however their late-season playoff push is over.

The Cowboys misplaced 34-23 to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night time at AT&T Stadium, with the Vikings getting a powerful efficiency from J.J. McCarthy en path to a second straight win.

Dallas' offense was environment friendly, however missed alternatives from an unlikely playmaker (the kicker) gave the Vikings sufficient alternatives to drag off the win.

Listed here are the takeaways:

1. The Cowboys’ season is over The Cowboys had no wiggle room coming into this sport. After the Sunday afternoon slates, the Packers have been the No. 7 seed at 9-4-1. The opposite two groups forward of them have been the Lions (8-6) and Panthers (7-7), each of whom beat them this season.

Now, at 6-7-1, Dallas is all however set to be watching the playoffs from residence this season. The truth that they tied the Packers and did not lose to them again in Week 3 is what has stored them from being mathematically eradicated.

The Cowboys went for it by buying and selling important draft capital for linebacker Logan Wilson and defensive sort out Quinnen Williams on the commerce deadline. It was too little too late at 3-5-1, although. The protection confirmed indicators of life all through the season, nevertheless it gave up 44 factors to the Lions after which 31 to the Vikings.

Brian Schottenheimer's first season as a head coach will not finish within the playoffs. (Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)

2. McCarthy reveals extra enchancment It’s straightforward to put in writing off McCarthy’s Week 14 sport towards the Commanders as an excellent sport towards a nasty group. He was 16-of-23 for 163 yards with three landing passes. It was the type of efficiency that Vikings followers have been completely satisfied to just accept.

The numbers have been a bit flashier at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night time. He was 15-of-24 for 250 yards with two touchdowns and one interception en path to victory.

What followers will wish to see subsequent from McCarthy is extra involvement from Justin Jefferson, who has a mixed six catches on 12 targets for 37 yards over his final three video games. The Vikings offense clearly thrived on Sunday night time, however getting its star participant going might take it to the following stage.

The excellent news: Jordan Addison had 66 yards, and T.J. Hockenson acquired going with 60 yards. Additionally, Jalen Nailor doubled his landing complete with scores within the first and fourth quarters.

Brandon Aubrey is human. He missed area objectives from 51 and 59 yards on Sunday night time, and it confirmed simply how a lot the Cowboys depend on their star kicker.

Aubrey entered the sport 27-of-29 on area objective makes an attempt this season, and he nonetheless has not missed a kick of 49 or fewer yards. Nonetheless, the 2 misses, albeit on lengthy makes an attempt, have been expensive.

Minnesota took the quick area on Aubrey’s two misses and turned them into 10 factors, first a area objective close to the top of the primary half and a landing early within the fourth quarter. Aubrey nonetheless completed 4-of-6 on area objectives towards Minnesota, however these missed kicks and subsequent Vikings factors have been a large distinction.

Brandon Aubrey reacts to his second missed kick of the Cowboys' loss on Sunday night time. (Sam Hodde/Getty Photos)

4. Dallas' RB1 quietly continues sturdy season A brilliant spot for the Cowboys (and fantasy managers late within the season) has been operating again Javonte Williams, who entered this sport with 1,022 dashing yards this season.

There have been skeptics of Williams, who has been the Cowboys’ RB1 all season, however he has delivered each step of the best way. He scored his twelfth landing of the season on Sunday night time to go together with 91 yards on 15 carries.

Williams’ 4.8 yards-per-carry common is by far the most effective of his profession. He turns 26 subsequent April and signed a one-year cope with Dallas earlier than the season. Count on Williams to get greater than the $3.5 million he acquired final March this time round in free company.

Whether or not that future is with Dallas stays to be seen. The Cowboys are already quick on cap house coming into subsequent season, so that they is perhaps out there for a brand new beginning operating again through the offseason.

4 ½. What’s subsequent? The Vikings play the Giants in Week 16 earlier than getting an opportunity to play spoiler towards the Lions and Packers to shut the season. Detroit is 1.5 video games behind Inexperienced Bay within the NFC standings, and each groups will play at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis to shut the season. The Vikings have been already eradicated from playoff competition.

The Cowboys end the season with the Chargers at residence after which street video games towards the Commanders and Giants. It’s a dud of a end for Dallas, which is able to play two meaningless video games to finish its season.

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