Cowboys failed on seemingly simple task, and it probably cost them their season: Takeaways from Week 15 loss to Vikings
The Dallas Cowboys weren’t going to make the playoffs in Week 15. But they could have kept their thin hopes alive. All they had to do was get away with a pretty simple task. This wasn’t facing Patrick Mahomes, nor the Philadelphia Eagles. They didn’t have to face the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense. All they […]
The Dallas Cowboys weren’t going to make the playoffs in Week 15. But they could have kept their thin hopes alive. All they had to do was get away with a pretty simple task. This wasn’t facing Patrick Mahomes, nor the Philadelphia Eagles. They didn’t have to face the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense.
All they had to do was stop struggling Minnesota Vikings quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, and live to fight another day. They failed miserably and lost 34-26 as a result. That reality leads our takeaways from the Cowboys’ seventh loss of the season, which sure makes it feel like the team is done for the year, even if they’re still mathematically in it.
J.J. McCarthy exposes the Cowboys defense
McCarthy threw for more passing yards than he had all season long and in his career. He was rarely pressured and consistently found wide-open receivers as he led his offense to a 34-point outing. At times, you could see him going through his usual struggles this year, including mechanics-wise. And none of it mattered. After all, this is the Cowboys’ defense.
The unit that allowed Russell Wilson to explode in September, that gave Bo Nix a breakout game, and that ensured Jacoby Brissett’s starting role with the Arizona Cardinals. Now, it was McCarthy’s turn to reap the benefits, and he delivered. For the Cowboys, it’s as frustrating as it gets.
Cowboys fail to involve George Pickens
George Pickens ended the first half with just one catch as the Cowboys’ offense struggled to move the ball. And if you thought they’d change their approach in the second half, you’re sadly mistaken. Pickens finished with three catches for 33 yards.
And it’s worse than that. The Cowboys didn’t have a way to get him the ball early and often. For the second consecutive week, the defense was sitting on the slant route. Brian Schottenheimer didn’t have an ace up his sleeve as the play-caller.
Prescott was in hell yet again
By the time the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs while trailing by eight points, the Vikings had pressured Dak Prescott in 47% of his dropbacks, per PFF’s live numbers. He was hit 11 times. Watching live, it sure felt like it.
Free rushers were commonplace between the tackles. The tackles consistently lost matchups yet again. And while Prescott didn’t play a perfect game, it was like watching him and the offense play with one hand tied behind their backs.
Unless the Cowboys fix their offensive line woes next offseason, the unit will continue to struggle regardless of who is playing at the skill positions.
Brandon Aubrey falls short in crunch time
You can’t be too hard on Brandon Aubrey, I guess. But the following is a fact: With playoff hopes on the line, Aubrey missed a field goal for 59 yards and another for 51. He was still responsible for 11 points total, but those points left on the field were expensive in an eight-point game.
In Aubrey’s defense, he moved the chains on a trick play that yielded one of the only two touchdowns the offense scored.
On to Week 16, and really, 2026
The Cowboys might have a mathematical shot at making the playoffs. But whatever comes next will be the epilogue. Sunday Night Football was the season finale for the 2025 Cowboys.
Simply put, this isn’t a playoff-caliber team. It’s a flawed squad, and it’s been that way since the moment it was put together by the front office. Say what you want about coaching and execution, this was never a complete roster to begin with.
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