Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys Prediction & Picks - NFL

Prediction published on 12/14/25, 4:50 PM  by Travis Pulver in NFL Picks

The Dallas Cowboys will try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive when they face the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. EST at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX with coverage provided by NBC/Peacock.

Dallas had been looking like a potential contender prior to last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions with wins over the Raiders, Eagles, and Chiefs. But then the Cowboys fell back into a familiar rut against the Lions—the defense couldn’t do anything right and the offense settled for field goals. Against a team as capable as the Lions, five  field goals are a recipe for losing. Against the Vikings? It may not be as big a deal as long as the defense can do it’s part against a struggling Vikings offense that somehow put up 31 points on the Commanders last week. As for Minnesota, the struggle has been real with J.J. McCarthy having a hard time getting adjusted to starting in the NFL. But in fairness, the struggles shouldn’t be surprising. He was a game manager in college that threw enough for a run-dominant offense to keep defenses honest. If last week’s performance is any indication, the Vikings may have finally learned this (he went 16-23 for 163 yards and three touchdowns).