Minnesota

Vikings

Jefferson saw numerous high-value targets in this one, failing to come down with either of his two end zone chances. The veteran alpha also had a touchdown called back in the second quarter after connecting with McCarthy from four yards out, only to see the score nullified by penalty. Additionally, two separate passes hit Jefferson in the hands and eventually fell incomplete. Jefferson and the Vikings continue forward now eliminated from postseason contention — something Jefferson-reliant managers can sympathize with — so they’ll spend the remainder of the season trying to work on the connection between the team’s quarterback and top pass-catcher.

Nailor made the most of man coverage in the red zone, scoring twice from inside 20 yards - once in the first quarter and once in the final frame. He appeared to have the wind knocked out of him on his first touchdown, a beautiful catch in blanket coverage to the left side of the end zone with a defender draped on his back. He landed hard and remained down on the turf before returning to the game on the following possession. Nailor has more than returned value in fantasy circles as the WR3 for the Vikings this season and could become a heralded target in the late-middle rounds in best ball in 2026.

Hockenson tied for the team lead in yardage with Jordan Addison and his five targets tied for second on the team behind only Justin Jefferson, the latter of which was a product of only 24 J.J. McCarthy pass attempts. The veteran tight end has had a fantasy season to forget after being drafted in the middle rounds this offseason and the uncertainty at the quarterback position is likely to see his draft capital plummet entering 2026.

The Vikings somehow managed to get out of Dallas with a win while running only 52 offensive plays, leading to the modest pass volume. Addison made the most of his two targets, with the highlight of his game coming on a 58-yard gain in the second quarter in which he was tackled at the four. Fantasy managers have been left wanting more from Addison all season through numerous quarterback changes and an underperforming offense, which has not changed as the season draws to a close.

As has been the case for much of the season, Jones drew the start for the Vikings but rotated drives with fellow veteran Jordan Mason, with both backs failing to find much room on the ground. Mason gained just 29 yards on 10 carries and was not targeted in the pass game, with both backs averaging fewer than 30 yards per carry against the retooled Dallas defensive front. The two could find more room to run against the worse run defense in the league in Week 16 when the Vikings face off against the Giants.

The game could not have gotten off to a worse start for McCarthy as he watched a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage fall into the waiting hands of Quinnen Williams on his first pass attempt, resulting in a Javonte Williams touchdown plunge from one yard out five minutes later. The two teams traded blows for the remainder of the first half, taking a deadlocked 17-17 game into the break. It was the Vikings that had the last laugh after two missed field goals by Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, with McCarthy’s second touchdown toss to Jalen Nailor the nail in the coffin of the Dallas season. The Vikings were eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the day with the win by the Bears but continue to establish momentum as they look forward to 2026, with the recent play by McCarthy sure to weigh on the team’s decisions in the offseason. They’ll get the sinking Giants in Week 16.

Darrisaw’s absence is bad news for the Vikings considering the strength of the Dallas defense is their ability to generate pressure in the backfield. Furthermore, quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been highly sensitive to pressure during his sophomore campaign. Look for head coach Kevin O’Connell to continue the ball-out-quick mentality that saw McCarthy experience a bump in efficiency from a week ago.

Hockenson is good to go for the Vikings’ intriguing game against the Cowboys this weekend, though he can only be viewed as a low-end TE1, at best. The veteran tight end finished as the overall TE14 in half-PPR scoring in consecutive weeks.

Jones will continue to play through the pain in his age-31 season. Over the last four weeks, Jones’ best showing earned him the overall RB26 spot in half-PPR scoring. The Vikings’ game against the Cowboys profiles as a fantasy-friendly one, though, warranting low-end RB2 treatment for Jones.

Addison’s injury is a bit concerning, as is QB J.J. McCarthy’s erratic play. McCarthy had a decent last week though, and the Cowboys’ pass defense is relatively fantasy-friendly. Addison is a low-end WR3 in what could be a high-scoring game environment.