Minnesota Vikings (5-8) vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season brings plenty of interesting games on Sunday, December 14, including Sunday Night Football from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, so we have prepared the Vikings vs. Cowboys prediction to get you covered.
Minnesota takes on Dallas for the first time since 2022, when the Cowboys dismantled the Vikings 40-3 as 2-point road favorites. Now, Dallas is searching for its fourth consecutive SU and ATS victory over the Vikings.
Let’s take a closer look at this Vikings vs. Cowboys prediction, one of our NFL picks for Week 15. Sunday Night Football kicks off at 8:20 PM ET, and the Cowboys are 6.5-point home favorites with a total of 47.5 points.
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. I have read and accepted the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. I consent that Winners and Whiners may use third-party services to process my data.
Terms & Conditions The Vikings blanked the Commanders to stop bleeding
The Minnesota Vikings (5-8; 5-8 ATS; 7-6 O/U) snapped their four-game skid last Sunday. After consecutive defeats against the Baltimore Ravens 27-19, the Chicago Bears 19-17, the Green Bay Packers 23-6, and the Seattle Seahawks 26-0, the Vikings routed the Washington Commanders 31-0.
J.J. McCarthy missed that ugly loss at the Seahawks in Week 13 due to a concussion, so Max Brosmer got his first NFL start. Brosmer was horrible, throwing for 126 yards and four touchdowns, while the Vikings’ defense held Seattle to just 219 total yards.
McCarthy returned to the field last Sunday, throwing for 163 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings held the Commanders to 206 yards and won the turnover battle 3-0 while going 6-for-11 on 3rd down and 2-for-2 on 4th down.
“When you can persevere and do it through the really hard times — and I don’t need to be a news-breaker here that it’s been hard times at times this year,” Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell said in his locker room speech. “But you guys deserved this. I told you last night how much I appreciate the way you guys show up every single day. Because it could be easy to find that exit ramp, to say maybe we’ll be better off next year.”
McCarthy, the No. 10 pick from the 2024 NFL season, missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury. Through seven starts this season, McCarthy has thrown for 1,092 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing just 56.0% of his passing attempts.
The Vikings’ offense has struggled a lot this season. Justin Jefferson has caught 64 of his 109 targets, mustering 810 yards and just two touchdowns, while Jordan Mason has rushed for 630 yards and six touchdowns. The Vikings tally 19.6 points per game (26th in the NFL) and allow 21.6 points in return (12th).
Minnesota’s defense has done a good job thus far. It ranks 22nd in rushing yards (126.8 per game), fourth in passing yards (172.3), ninth in 3rd down conversion (37.1%), and third in red-zone conversion (46.2%). The Vikings have amassed 33 sacks (tied for 11th) and 85 tackles for loss (2nd) this season.
The Cowboys’ win streak is over
The Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1; 7-6 ATS; 9-4 O/U) put an end to their three-game winning streak in Week 14. After beating the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16, the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21, and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28, the Cowboys suffered a 44-30 defeat at the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football.
Dallas outgained Detroit 417-408 in total yards, but the Cowboys lost the turnover battle 3-0. Dak Prescott threw for 376 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, while Ryan Flournoy had the best game of his NFL career, posting nine receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.
CeeDee Lamb tortured the Lions for 121 yards on six catches before exiting with a concussion. Lamb cleared the concussion protocol on Thursday and should be able to play against the Vikings on Sunday.
“Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb has now cleared concussion protocol. He’ll play Sunday night versus Minnesota,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported.
Lamb has caught 57 passes for 865 yards and three touchdowns across 10 appearances this season. George Pickens leads the way for the Cowboys’ receiving corps with 78 receptions, 1,179 yards, and eight touchdowns, while Javonte Williams has amassed 1,150 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns.
Prescott has tossed for 3,637 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season. He’s been picked off in five of his last six games. Dallas scores 29.3 points per game, enough for the third-most in the NFL, but the Cowboys’ defense has been awful for most of the season.
The Cowboys allow 29.7 points per game (31st) on 123.5 rushing yards (20th) and 255.2 passing yards (32nd). Their defense is 31st in the league in both 3rd down conversion (47.8%) and red-zone conversion (72.0%). Dallas has recorded 29 sacks (tied for 18th) and 64 tackles for loss (tied for 13th) this season.
Vikings vs. Cowboys Pick Spread Pick for Vikings vs. Cowboys Minnesota Vikings +6.5 (5 units)
The Cowboys might get CeeDee Lamb back, but tackle Tyler Guyton will miss his third straight game with a high ankle sprain. CB Trevon Diggs was limited in Thursday’s practice, while TE Jake Ferguson didn’t practice at all.
Dallas’ offense has done a great job this season, but this is a tricky matchup for the Cowboys. The Vikings heavily lean on their defense, and I expect them to keep it close in this game. The Cowboys’ defense has a lot of shortcomings, so J.J. McCarthy should be able to deliver a decent performance.
The Vikings will put a lot of pressure on Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offensive line. I don’t feel comfortable laying 6.5 points with Dallas. The Cowboys desperately need a win to stay alive in the playoff race, whereas the Vikings can play without any pressure and try to upset the odds at AT&T Stadium.
Over/Under Pick for Vikings vs. Cowboys
None of the Vikings’ last five games has seen more than 46 points on the scoreboard. With their offense in shambles, the Vikings’ defense has been trying its best, and the under has hit in each of those five contests.
On the other side, the over is 8-2 in the Cowboys’ last 10 games overall. As I noted, the Cowboys’ offense has been excellent for most of the season, but their defense has been pretty much awful.
Hereof, the total looks like a tricky wager in this matchup. I expect the Vikings to move the chains, but I’m not sure they will be able to score 31 points for the second straight week. Anyway, I took the Vikings to cover because of their defense, so give me the under on the total. Minnesota’s pass defense is arguably one of the best in the league.
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus 
Spend $25 Get $50 in Coins
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus 
Get up to 103 SC + 20,500 GC for FREE with Legendz!
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus