The NFC playoff picture is beginning to focus. Will the Dallas Cowboys be a part of it?
They have an opportunity to take another step into the playoff picture when the Cowboys defend home turf against the Minnesota Vikings in the Week 15 ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).
Dallas’ best chance to make the 2025 NFL playoffs will be through the NFC East, where the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles are in the midst of a bit of a tailspin, as they entered Week 15 losers of their last three games. That gives the Cowboys an opportunity to pick up some ground as the season nears its boiling point.
Dallas, though, will have to stack every win possible as the final four weeks of the NFL’s regular season arrive, starting with one over J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings on Sunday. McCarthy is coming off his best performance as a pro, tossing three touchdowns in a win over Washington.
Minnesota is clinging to its playoff life, but would need a ton of help to make it to the dance. First and foremost, they’ll need to keep stacking wins if they want to stay in the hunt. That means a win on Sunday night would keep their hopes alive for one more week.
USA TODAY Sports will provide updates, highlights and more from the ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup between the Cowboys and Vikings below.
What TV channel is the Cowboys vs Vikings game on?
TV channel: NBC
NBC is the broadcast home of ‘Sunday Night Football.’ Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call, with Melissa Stark providing updates from the sidelines.
What time is the Cowboys game on tonight?
Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET | 7:20 p.m. CT
The Cowboys and Vikings are scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, the customary start time for ‘SNF.’ The Vikings travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the tilt.
Cowboys vs Vikings stream
Live stream: Peacock
NBC’s proprietary streaming service, Peacock, will carry the matchup.
Watch Cowboys vs. Vikings on Peacock
Cowboys vs Vikings picks, predictions
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ NFL experts feel this week’s game will go (hint: it’s a clean sweep for Dallas):
Jarrett Bell: Cowboys, 30-23
Nick Brinkerhoff: Cowboys, 30-23
Chris Bumbaca: Cowboys, 26-23
Nate Davis: Cowboys, 27-23
Tyler Dragon: Cowboys, 28-20
Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Cowboys, 23-20
Cowboys vs Vikings odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 9:11 a.m.
Moneyline (ML): Dallas -275 (Bet $275 to win $100) | Minnesota +225 (Bet $100 to win $225)
Against the spread (ATS): Dallas -5.5 (-110) | Minnesota +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 48 (O: -105 | U: -115)
NFC East standings
The Cowboys enter tonight’s game in second place in the NFC East.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
Washington Commanders (4-10)
New York Giants (2-12)
Cowboys inactives vs. Vikings
TBA
Vikings inactives vs. Cowboys
TBA
Cowboys playoff picture
The Cowboys enter Week 15 with an estimated 7% chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. With a win on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ those odds would improve to 10% and a loss would drop those chances down to just 1%.
