ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The Vikings got just two snaps in before Cowboys’ defensive tackle Quinnen Williams intercepted a pass that quarterback J.J. McCarthy intended for wide receiver Justin Jefferson—putting Dallas 35 yards out from the end zone.
It was Williams’ first INT.
Soon after, a trick play for Cowboys’ kicker Brandon Aubrey wowed the crowd, and the drive culminated with a touchdown for running back Javontae Williams; Aubrey’s point-after-touchdown made it 7-0.
Jalen Nailor’s 20-yard reception got the Vikings on the board with a little more than two minutes to go in the first quarter, but Nailor had to be looked at by medical staff before leaving the field.
Cowboys RB Malik Davis rushed into the end zone at the beginning of the second quarter, then Jefferson almost added a TD to Minnesota’s scoresheet, after fellow WR Jordan Addison’s big 58-yard catch, but there was a flag on the play—nothing to fear for the Vikings fan base, because McCarthy waltzed it into the end zone just two snaps later.
Aubrey missed a 51-yard field goal attempt just right—a rare sight, being just his third miss this season and his second miss from 50-and-beyond.
But he’d tie things up at 17-all with a field goal, just before the half, and make it 20-17 after making another one, coming out of the half, and yet another with just under five minutes to play in the third for it to be 23-17, Cowboys.
Fullback C.J. Ham’s TD and kicker Will Reichard PAT put the Vikings in front by a point.
What’s even more rare than Aubrey missing a FG? Missing two of them, his 59-yard attempt in the fourth quarter was no good.
Nailor found the end zone a second time with just over nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter—Minnesota extending its lead to 31-23.
The two teams traded field goals, putting things just out of reach for the Cowboys, ending in a final score of 34-26: Minnesota winning it.
