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Cowboys All But Eliminated by Vikings in 34-26 Defeat as Defensive Crisis Deepens

Team leaders defend coordinator Matt Eberflus despite escalating outside calls for a defensive overhaul.

Overview

  • The loss drops Dallas to 6-7-1 and leaves playoff odds under one percent, with the wild card off the table and only a remote division path requiring Philadelphia to lose out.
  • J.J. McCarthy threw for 250 yards with two scores to Jalen Nailor and added a rushing TD as Minnesota avoided sacks and scored on most meaningful drives after halftime.
  • Dallas managed only two third-down conversions and went 2-for-5 in the red zone, with Dak Prescott finishing 21-of-34 for 294 yards and no touchdown pass.
  • Kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two field goals, including a 59-yarder that would have tied the game late.
  • The season-long pattern persisted with seven games allowing 30-plus points, fueling scrutiny of Eberflus even as analysts point to an offseason defensive rebuild using cap space and two first-round picks.