Vikings Ride Momentum, Beat Cowboys 34-26 Amid Jefferson-Carson Scuffle
The Minnesota Vikings are showing signs of life at just the right time. With a 34-26 road win over the Dallas Cowboys, they’ve now strung together back-to-back victories and improved to 6-8 on the season. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty - and it keeps their playoff hopes breathing as they head into a crucial Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants.
While rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy turned in one of his more composed performances of the year, wide receiver Justin Jefferson continued to look out of sync.
The All-Pro wideout was held to just two catches for 22 yards - a stat line that would’ve been unthinkable a year ago. Whether it’s lingering effects from earlier injuries or a lack of chemistry with McCarthy, Jefferson hasn’t quite found his rhythm in 2025.
But that wasn’t the only headline Jefferson made in this one.
With just over three minutes left in the second quarter, a routine run by Aaron Jones up the middle turned into anything but routine. Away from the action, Jefferson and Cowboys rookie cornerback Caelen Carson got into a heated exchange.
What started as a bit of shoving escalated quickly, with Carson throwing a punch that connected with Jefferson’s facemask. The scuffle continued before officials and teammates stepped in to separate the two.
The referees wasted no time, flagging Carson for unsportsmanlike conduct - a 10-yard gift for Minnesota. And the league followed up with its own response, fining Carson $5,686 for the incident. It’s his first fine as a pro, and while the amount is on the lower end of the NFL’s scale for striking offenses, it’s a clear message from the league.
To put that number in context, first-time offenses for striking, kicking, or tripping typically carry a fine of up to $12,172. That number can nearly double for repeat offenders.
Through Week 14, the NFL had already issued 28 fines for similar violations, totaling nearly $1.4 million. So while Carson’s hit didn’t break the bank, it adds to a growing list of discipline the league has handed down this season.
And interestingly, Carson isn’t the first Cowboys player to get docked for this kind of infraction in 2025. In Week 1, left tackle Tyler Guyton was fined $12,172 for striking a Giants player.
Then in Week 5, cornerback Trevon Diggs was hit with the same fine after a dust-up with the Jets. For a team that prides itself on discipline under Mike McCarthy, that’s a trend Dallas won’t be thrilled about.
As for Jefferson and the Vikings, the focus now shifts to Week 16 and a matchup with Jaxson Dart and the Giants. Minnesota’s suddenly in position to chase a third straight win - something that seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago. It’s a team still figuring out its identity, especially on offense, but the pieces are there.
If McCarthy can continue to grow, and Jefferson can find his footing again, this Vikings squad might just turn a late-season surge into something more meaningful. Kickoff against the Giants is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.