The Dallas Cowboys improved their draft position, but not much else, in a Sunday Night Football loss to Minnesota that realistically ended their slim playoff chances.
The loss also ended Dak Prescott’s quixotic hope to win the MVP award, which never goes to a player whose team misses the playoffs. But Dallas converted a fake field goal, so there’s that.
Dallas suffered some injuries in the game, but the good news is that nothing matters the rest of this year, so there are seven months to get healthy. Here is where things stand with the Dallas Cowboys.
Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a mediocre game by his high standards and the tiny chance he had of being MVP is over. He was 23-of-38 for 294 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in a 34-26 loss.
Quinnen Williams
Dallas’ tackle twice left the game with injuries, and it was finally revealed that he is in concussion protocol. That likely means he will miss next Sunday’s game with Cincinnati. He started the game with an interception of a batted ball that led to Dallas’ first touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys fake field goal
A team that was desperate for a win went to a bag of tricks, as the Dallas Cowboys faked a field goal on its first possession to set up an opening touchdown. Dallas faced 4th and 4 from the Vikings 29 and lined up for a field goal.
The ball was snapped to holder Traeshon Holden, who flipped the ball over his shoulder to kick Brandon Aubrey, who ran 6 yards for a first down. Dallas eventually scored a touchdown on the drive.
Micah Parsons injury
Former Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons was having a great season, but it may be over. In a showdown of division leaders Sunday against Denver, the Packers star Parsons suffered a knee injury and early reports are that it is a torn ACL.
Parsons had 12 1/2 sacks this season with a league-leading 78 pressures. The Packers lost to the Denver Broncos 34-26, which happens to be the same score Dallas lost to Minnesota by.
Javonte Williams injury
The Dallas Cowboys tailback left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. He returned late to the game, indicating he is fine. He had a decent game with 91 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Malik Davis
The Dallas Cowboys’ backup running back, Malik Davis, scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that put the Cowboys ahead 14-7. He finished with eight carries for 21 yards.
Did the Dallas Cowboys win?
They did not. They lost 34-26 to the Minnesota Vikings.
Can the Dallas Cowboys make the playoffs?
Yes. If Dallas beats the Los Angeles Chargers, the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants, and if the Philadelphia Eagles lose twice to the Commanders and once to the Buffalo Bills, Dallas will win the NFL East. They cannot win a wild card berth.
Can the Dallas Cowboys make the playoffs realistically?
No.
Dallas Cowboys next game
The Dallas Cowboys host the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. MT/noon CT at AT&T Stadium. The game will be on iFOX.
Ryan Flourney Dallas Cowboys
Dallas’ second-year receiver out of Southeast Missouri State caught four passes on five targets for 40 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. For the year, he has 29 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns.
Dallas vs. Vikings
The Vikings beat the Cowboys 34-26 on Sunday Night Football.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Did the Dallas Cowboys win? No, but can they still make the playoffs?
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
