Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) – Minnesota Vikings (6-8) : 26-34
Things are going a little better for the Vikings and JJ McCarthy (15/24, 250 yards, 2TD, 1INT). The 2nd year quarterback has a second interesting success. There is still work to be done, but the pitcher is more confident and better in his decision-making. Good news for the Vikings.
Opposite, Dallas fell back into its defensive failings. In difficulty on the opponent’s 4th attempts, the defensive rearguard also left too much space for the Vikings receivers for big receptions.
blow for blow
The match started in the worst way for JJ McCarthy. The thrower sees his first pass deflected and tries to hit it to make it fall to the ground. Except that it rebounds on a Cowboys player who grabs it… Dallas then starts from the opposing 35 yards and can follow up with a touchdown (7-0) from Javonte Williams (15 races, 91 yards, 1TD). But it wasn’t easy, it took 11 actions, more than 5 minutes, a fake goal and a 4e successful attempt to gain the 35 yards and enter the endzone.
But the Vikings quarterback at least has mentality. Thanks to several big actions, he manages to find Jalen Nailor (3rec, 47 yards, 2TD) for the equalizing touchdown (7-7) then himself scores a touchdown on the ground on a 4e clever attempt which sees him feign the delivery to escape alone for the touchdown (14-14). Meanwhile, the Cowboys scored a touchdown on the ground by Malik Davis.
Before the break, the two teams exchange a field goal to return to the locker room with a tie (17-17). Dallas advances more “mechanically” but the Vikings survive thanks to the big plays that the opposing defense lets through.
JJ McCarthy decisive
Returning from the locker room, the locals took the lead thanks to two field goals from Brandon Aubrey (23-17). But JJ McCarthy is determined to tip the scales towards the Vikings. The quarterback makes a clutch pass to Nailor on the 4th attempt. Minnesota then enters the opposing 20 yards and CJ Ham gives the visitors the advantage (23-24).
Dallas misses the opportunity to get back in front on the 2nd miss of the evening for Aubrey (as much as all season). Missed points which are costly in the end… The Vikings therefore leave the opposing 50 yards thanks to this miss. McCarthy connects 2 passes of 18 yards each for his tight ends. And he definitely widens the gap on the next action by finding Nailor for the double (23-31).
5 minutes from the end, Dallas will try a 4&7 to get back into the score. But the Cowboys fail 1 yard from the first attempt. The Vikings then manage to use as much time as possible and add a field goal to put themselves out of reach (23-34).
The Cowboys scored a field goal (26-34) with around thirty seconds remaining, but the onside kick that followed was unsurprisingly missed. The Cowboys say goodbye to their last playoff hope.
