Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction & Picks - NFL

Prediction published on 12/14/25, 4:50 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 1/13/26 at 9:11 AM 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).