The Dallas Cowboys fell to the Minnesota Vikings, 34-26 on Sunday Night Football, likely ending their chances of making the postseason. Early on it looked like the Cowboys could’ve seized control of the game, but one fateful decision flipped the contest and that mistake in a key moment changed the momentum in the Vikings’ favor.
Things were going the Cowboys’ way in the first quarter; the defense got a turnover, special teams delivered on a fake field goal to keep the drive going, and the offense completed the trifecta by finishing with a one-yard touchdown running back Javonte Williams. Things were looking even better after Matt Eberflus’ defense forced a punt on the Vikings’ second offensive possession.
With the Cowboys‘ offense looking at getting the ball back leading 7-0 with decent field position, punt returner KaVontae Turpin made a huge mistake that would cost his team.
Vikings punter Ryan Wright’s kick landed around the 30-yard line, but Turpin didn’t catch it, which allowed the ball to bounce and roll to the three-yard line. Turpin’s decision flipped the field and gave the Cowboys horrible field position.
It was another ill-fated play from the All-Pro returner, who continued his miserable year that’s included poor returns and penalties for illegal fair-catch signals. This mistake was even bigger, it changed the game.
KaVontae Turpin struggling with his decision making as a punt returner. Two illegal fair catch penalties and lets that punt drop and Vikings down it at the Dallas 3. Just go make the catch.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 15, 2025
If Turpin fields the punt, the Cowboys have the ball around the 30-yard line and can attack the Vikings, possibly going up two scores early. That’s a big advantage against a team that has a young quarterback who is struggling.
Instead, the Cowboys were pinned deep in their own territory and couldn’t be as aggressive on offense. A quick three and out coupled with a Bryan Anger punt gave the Vikings the ball at their own 47. With great field position, it took just two plays, aided by a silly penalty, for the Vikings to tie the game at 7-7 and make the game a dogfight which the Cowboys eventually lost.
Vikings RB Aaron Jones caught a swing pass from QB J.J. McCarthy for 18 yards, but the play had 15 yards added on due to a horse collar tackle from cornerback Reddy Steward. On the next snap, McCarthy somehow found wide receiver Jalen Nailor for a 20-yard touchdown, tying the game.
After the miscue from Turpin, whose struggled mightily in both offensive and special teams phases after signing a three-year $13.5 million offseason deal, it never felt like the Cowboys had control in the game. The team was leading 7-0 early and had all the momentum, but the decision not to field the punt changed everything. If Turpin catches the punt and the Cowboys add to their lead, or if the offense is forced to punt and gives the Vikings a long field to drive for a score, the game likely turns out differently.
Dallas might have still faded and lost, but Turpin not catching that punt was a key mistake that changed the game. His fumble recovery might’ve saved the season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving, but KaVontae Turpin may have given it right back in the loss to the Vikings.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: An early mistake was a key factor in the Cowboys’ loss to the Vikings
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