ARLINGTON, Texas — It would’ve been easy for the Vikings to simply go through the motions on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. They were eliminated from playoff contention before they ever stepped foot on the field for the game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Instead, the Vikings dug in and showed some pride on national television, bouncing back from some early adversity to earn a 34-26 win. It’s marked the first time the Vikings have won consecutive games this season.
That’s something head coach Kevin O’Connell wanted his group of players to feel proud about as they got on the plane back to the Twin Cities.
As frustrating as this season has been for the Vikings, the upset of the Cowboys provided something to feel good about in the short term, while also providing some ripple effects that might pay dividends in the long term.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
J.J. McCarthy was extremely resilient
The first throw of the game for quarterback J.J. McCarthy ended in complete disaster. The ball got deflected by safety Donovan Wilson at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
The fact that McCarthy was able to bounce back for the Vikings and have the best game of his career against the Cowboys can’t be overstated. Not everybody would’ve been able to move on as quickly as he did. He deserves credit for being able to do that.
The final stat line for McCarthy featured him completing 15 of 24 passes for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air while also adding a touchdown on the ground.
There was a decisiveness from McCarthy that resulted in some chunk plays, and while he still missed a few too many layups throughout the game, the improvement is an encouraging sign in his development.
Justin Jefferson dropped a touchdown
The struggles that superstar receiver Justin Jefferson has had to endure this season have been largely due to the inconsistencies of whoever has been throwing him the ball. There have been a lot of ups and down, whether it’s been McCarthy, veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, or rookie quarterback Max Brosmer under center.
It’s a big reason why Jefferson is in danger of finishing below 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. His performance for the Vikings against the Cowboys didn’t get him much closer to reaching that milestone as he finished with a pair of receptions for 22 yards.
Though the underwhelming numbers stat line stems from McCarthy misfiring on a number of throws, Jefferson also didn’t do himself any favors in the game. He had a chance to haul in a touchdown in the corner of the end zone and flat out dropped the ball.
That has been a recurring theme for Jefferson this season. As much as he can blame McCarthy, Wentz, or Brosmer for his lack of production, he also has to blame himself for not always maximizing his opportunities.
Jalen Nailor is going to get paid
The campaign that receiver Jalen Nailor has put together shouldn’t be taken lightly. He’s put himself in position to make a lot of money in free agency, which, in turn, means the Vikings more than likely won’t be able to afford to bring him back.
The way that Nailor impacted the game for the Vikings against the Cowboys — he hauled in a pair of touchdowns that proved to be the difference — showcased how much he’s grown as a player since reaching the NFL.
No longer is Nailor simply a speed demon that makes his living running deep down the field. He’s turned himself into a complete receiver that can make a difference at every level of the defense.
Ryan Wright provided a needed spark
There’s a chance the Vikings might have found themselves in a much different spot against the Cowboys had punter Ryan Wright not flipped the field in the early stages.
With the Vikings already trailing in the game, they were forced to punt in their own territory, which presumably was going to give the Cowboys pretty good field position with a chance to take a commanding lead.
Instead, Wright continued his case as the most improved player on the roster, unleashing a booming 65-yard punt that was downed inside the 5-yard line. That proved to be a massive play for the Vikings as the defense forced a punt and the offense put together a drive that tied the game.
It very easily could’ve gotten out of hand for the Vikings had Wright not helped stop the bleeding when he did.
Dak Prescott never looked comfortable
Maybe it sounds crazy to say Prescott looked out of sorts in a game where he completed 23 of 38 passes for 294 yards. He consistently found open receivers over the middle while moving the ball with ease at times.
That said, Prescott did not throw for a touchdown, largely because of the constant pressure that was in his face.
That discomfort he felt was a direct result of another masterclass from defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Not only did the exotic looks before the snap seem to rattle Prescott so did the various stunts after the snap.
It resulted in Prescott being pressured on 48% of his dropbacks. That was the highest pressure rate of his career.
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