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Vikings vs Cowboys NFL Pick: NFC Teams Fight to Stay Alive (Dec 14)

Published Dec 12, 11:53pm ET by

Keith McCarthy - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer

Last updated Dec 12, 11:53pm ET

Pick status
football eagles

Pixabay-Keith Johnston

Updated Dec 12, 11:55pm ET

  • The Vikings earned a major victory last week, easily defeating the Commanders 31-0.
  • Dallas came up short on Thursday night, losing 44-30 to the Lions and falling to 6-6-1.
  • These two teams last met on November 20, 2022, in a game that the Cowboys won 40-3.

The Vikings and Cowboys clash this week in a matchup between a pair of NFC teams. Both are on the cusp of elimination from postseason contention, needing a victory in this game to stay alive.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings Overview Watch On: NBC

DATE & TIME

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2025 @ 8:20 PM ET
Dallas Cowboys
AT&T STADIUM
ARLINGTON, TX
Minnesota Vikings
GAME ODDS
BetOnline
Dallas Cowboys -5.5 (-105)
Minnesota Vikings +5.5 (-105)

Vikings Seek to Build on Momentum

The Vikings took a major step forward last week, snapping a 4-game losing streak in triumphant fashion. They dominated the Commanders, winning 31-0. The defense played its best game of the season, holding opposing QB Jayden Daniels to a stat line of 9 for 20 for 78 yards and an interception. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy had one of the strongest games of his young career, going 16 of 23 for 163 yards and 3 TDs.

Cowboys on Cusp of Elimination

Dallas once again struggled tremendously on defense last week, allowing the Lions to score 44 points. They had no answer for the Lions offensive assault, dropping to 6-6-1 on the season. The Cowboys are now in real danger of facing mathematical elimination in the next couple of weeks. They will likely need to win out to have a shot at getting a spot, raising the stakes quite a bit in this week's game against the Vikings.

Vikings vs Cowboys NFL Pick

The Vikings and Cowboys are both unlikely to make the postseason but not mathematically eliminated. The winner will have a chance to hold onto hope for at least a week longer. Dallas benefits from home field advantage in this game, but it's hard to trust them to win and cover a 5.5-point spread when their defense is incapable of getting stops. Take the Vikings to at the very least keep it close enough to cover.

Pick
Minnesota Vikings +5.5
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