Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons appeared to suffer a serious knee injury Sunday afternoon during his team’s game against the Broncos in Denver.

Shortly before the third quarter expired, with the Pack leading 23-21, Parsons was in pursuit of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix on a pass play. But as he changed direction to give further chase, Parsons’ left knee appeared to buckle before he collapsed to the ground and grabbed at the joint.

Parsons was able to leave the field under his own power but immediately headed into the locker room. He did not return to the game.

“It doesn’t look good, I’ll leave it at that,’ Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said afterward as speculation about a torn ACL grew.

A four-time Pro Bowler acquired from the Dallas Cowboys rights before the season − for two first-round draft picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark − Parsons has lived up to his billing with 12½ sacks so far in 2025 for the Packers.

But Green Bay succumbed to the Broncos following Parsons’ unfortunate exit and fell into the NFC’s seventh projected playoff spot.

AI-assisted summary
• The Kansas City Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention after a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
• Quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in the final moments of the game.
• The loss ends the Chiefs’ streak of seven consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.
• This season marks the first time the Chiefs have missed the playoffs since Mahomes became the starting quarterback.

So, this is how it ends.

Patrick Mahomes was knocked out of the loss that eliminated the Kansas City Chiefs in the waning moments of the game with a wicked left knee injury.

There was no cape for Superman to put on to save the Chiefs Kingdom this time.

Rats. Oh, you know he tried.

But the knee buckled and bent awkwardly. He lay on the turf in apparent anguish as the medical team administered treatment. Teammates went down to one knee. It was a somber scene at Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes, who has demonstrated repeatedly that he is as great as it gets, is human after all. The Chiefs needed him to spark a last-minute rally for a game-tying field goal or even a winning touchdown, but there was nothing left.

Oh, you know he was game.

Mahomes scored the only Chiefs touchdown during the 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and for much of the game was his team’s leading rusher. This was part of the problem. Too often, they’ve relied on him to do too much. He won’t win the NFL’s MVP award this season, but he deserves it nonetheless, because without him – and with all due respect to the oft-proficient, Steve Spagnuolo-coordinated defense that allowed just 16 points on Sunday – his team was toast.

He provided heart, soul, energy, hope and logic that with the Chiefs’ season on the line – and the remarkable streak of seven consecutive trips to the AFC championship game in the mix – there was still a chance to make a miracle run.

Until there wasn’t.

Minutes after the game, the ominous tone from Chiefs coach Andy Reid strongly hinted that the star quarterback was done for the year.

“It doesn’t look good,” Reid said during his postgame news conference.

The Chiefs followed on Sunday night with official confirmation that Mahomes suffered a torn ACL. A statement from the team added, “Patrick and the club are exploring surgical options.”    

No Mahomes, no chance on Sunday. Now, what’s next?

First things first: Hail to the Chiefs. This is the first time that Kansas City (6-8) won’t be in AFC playoffs since Mahomes became the starter, and it’s the first time the Chiefs have lost at least eight games in a season since 2012, when they were 2-14 in the season before Andy Reid became coach.

With Mahomes, the Chiefs won three Super Bowls and played in two others. In a parity-laden league leveled out by a salary cap, the Chiefs managed to keep winning, keep competing for crowns, to establish their own dynasty in the aftermath of the New England Patriots run powered by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Now this.

Mahomes gamely limped off the field and to the bench under his own power after suffering his injury. And intentional or not, it was some kind of statement about the determination and pride that any of us who have watched him over the years realize runs so deep through his blood.

Minutes later, though, CBS’ cameras captured his journey to the locker room. Mahomes couldn’t get there on his own. He was helped up the tunnel with medical staffers holding him up on both sides like human crutches.

Sadly, this moment symbolized how this chapter – if not era – ends for the proud franchise that is now so battered.

Sure, Mahomes is the face of the Chiefs. But that was a dose of unintended insult added to injury. The Chiefs didn’t just lose. They lost their main man in the process.

With Mahomes knocked out of the contest, the Chiefs turned to Gardner Minshew, the backup quarterback without so much as a cape.

Minshew came in and promptly moved the chains with a short completion to Travis Kelce. Good idea. Good execution. Then the Chiefs were flagged for delay of game, with the poor execution of just getting the snap off reflected by the lack of urgency that you’d never see from Mahomes in this situation.

The next play, Minshew threw a lazy pass toward Kelce into double – or was it, triple? – coverage that was intercepted by Derwin James.

In other words, no Mahomes, no chance.

A weird January is coming in 2026. The last time the Chiefs weren’t in the AFC Championship Game? Try 2017. Way back on pre-pandemic Earth.

Maybe it is indeed the end of an era for the Chiefs, whose streak of nine consecutive AFC West titles was snapped. It’s certainly more than a mere speed bump.

Suddenly, this season, a team that knew how to win in crunch time – the Chiefs were 12-0 in one-score games last season and set an NFL record by winning 17 consecutive one-score games – couldn’t win the close ones.

On Sunday, the Chiefs fell to 1-7 this season in one-score games.

What next? There are glaring gaps with the running game and the pass rush, and who knows how much longer Kelce will play after mulling retirement last offseason. Yet with Mahomes being Mahomes – and it is apparent that rehab will dominate his offseason – they can still build around the quintessential centerpiece.

Yet nothing is automatic. As spectacular as Mahomes has been over the years, it was never automatic that he’d lead another Super Bowl run, even though it might have seemed that way. That was always packing a superhero cape. Now it’s not automatic that the Chiefs will quickly bounce back as a contender.

For a change, the Chiefs will have a long offseason to deal with their issues.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on  X: @JarrettBell

Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL’s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 15 nearly complete:

NFC playoff picture

x − 1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3), NFC West leaders: They became the first team to clinch a playoff spot, barely evading the Lions on Sunday. LA has the inside track for home-field advantage and a first-round bye, largely because the Rams’ Week 11 defeat of Seattle currently remains pivotal. But the rematch comes Thursday night. Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

2. Chicago Bears (10-4), NFC North leaders: How tightly packed is the NFC? One narrow Week 14 loss dropped the Bears from first place in the conference to seventh. Sunday’s win, in conjunction with Green Bay’s loss, put Da Bears back up to second overall. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5), NFC East leaders: Get-right win vs. Raiders gives them some needed breathing room. Win Saturday at Washington, and the division title remains in Philly another year. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7), NFC South leaders: Hopefully coach Todd Bowles’ charges care (expletive) enough this week. A fifth loss in their past six games dropped them to .500 on Thursday night, but Carolina’s loss Sunday put the Bucs back in first place. The Bucs’ one-game advantage in the common-games tiebreaker is currently the difference with the Panthers. Beat Carolina twice, and the Bucs will still win the NFC South. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3), wild card No. 1: They barely escaped Colts QB Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL after five years but notched a two-point win. All three of the ‘Hawks’ losses are against NFC opponents, including two in the division − defeats that don’t serve them well in tiebreaker scenarios. But splitting their season series with the Rams on Thursday would actually vault Seattle to top of NFC heap. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4), wild card No. 2: They’re just behind the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West lead, yet only a half-game out of the seventh seed. Remaining schedule: at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1), wild card No. 3: DE Micah Parsons got hurt Sunday, and so did the Pack’s positioning − down from the No. 2 seed to seventh due to their loss at Denver. Remaining schedule: at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

8. Detroit Lions (8-6), in the hunt: Tough loss to the Rams drops them 1½ games behind the projected playoff field. Yet Detroit remains within striking range of a wild-card berth and maybe the NFC North crown. Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9. Carolina Panthers (7-7), in the hunt: Had they beaten the Saints on Sunday, they simply would have needed one win over Tampa Bay to win the NFC South. But the Panthers came up light in New Orleans. Carolina and the Buccaneers will decide this on the field with two meetings between Weeks 16 and 18. Remaining schedule: vs. Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1), in the hunt: Sunday night’s crushing loss to the Vikings all but eliminated them − Dallas needing to win all its games and hoping the Eagles lose all theirs if ‘America’s Team’ is to win NFC East. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

AFC playoff picture

x − 1. Denver Broncos (12-2), AFC West leaders: Quite a Sunday, the first team in the league to 12 wins and first AFC squad to clinch a playoff berth. New England’s loss also boosts the Broncos’ odds of winding up with the No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

2. New England Patriots (11-3), AFC East leaders: Their 10-game heater snapped, they failed to clinch the division Sunday and lost valuable ground in their bid for the No.1 seed. But the Pats are still in driver’s seat to win AFC East. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4), AFC South leaders: Win keeps them ahead of surging Houston. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6), AFC North leaders: They jumped up five spots, from out of the field back into the division lead by winning at Baltimore in Week 14. Sweep the Ravens and notch one other win, and Pittsburgh secures the division. Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4), wild card No. 1: They completed a season sweep of the Chiefs on Sunday, officially eliminating the three-time-defending AFC champions from playoff consideration. The Bolts have now won six of seven. A one-win advantage in AFC games (8-2) keeps them ahead of Buffalo. Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4), wild card No. 1: Still alive to win their sixth straight AFC East crown following Sunday’s win at Foxborough. Remaining schedule: at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

7. Houston Texans (9-5), wild card No. 3: They’ve won seven of eight, including six in a row. Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6), in the hunt: Now in the hands of 44-year-old Rivers, they face a steep climb back to relevance − their 7-1 start already starting to seem like ancient history. Rivers gave a valiant effort Sunday in his first NFL action in nearly five years but came up just short. And the Colts’ schedule doesn’t let up the rest of the way. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7), in the hunt: Sunday’s shutout at Cincinnati could be key in race for AFC North. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

10. Miami Dolphins (6-7), in the hunt: They probably need to win the remainder of their games to even have a shot at postseason qualification. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, vs. Buccaneers, at Patriots

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16 (incomplete)

New England clinches playoff berth with:

Win

Philadelphia clinches NFC East title with:

1. Win or
2. Dallas loss

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

x – clinched playoff berth

y – clinched division

z – clinched home-field advantage, first-round bye

We are entering the holiday break for college hockey and many teams have already gone idle. But if you’re an NCAA fan, there will be games of intrigue right around the corner as the World Junior Championship comes to Minnesota. Many of the best young players in college will be playing for their national teams and it won’t just be Canadians and Americans: Wilson Bjorck of Colorado College will suit up for Sweden, while UMass’ Vaclav Nestrasil will be playing for the Czechs, just to name two.

The most important thing for college teams is that their prized players don’t get hurt at the tournament, but on a more optimistic tip, coaches and fans can hope that these teens can bank serious big-game experience while playing in the vaunted international tourney. In the meantime, let’s see what the NCAA hockey world looks like heading into the break, spotlighting the teams and players you need to know right now.

1. Michigan Wolverines (16-4-0)

While there’s no guarantee that Canada and the U.S. will meet at the world juniors, a medal-round bout would be electric. It would also be conflicting for Wolverines fans, since Will Horcoff (PIT) would be facing Canadian pals Michael Hage (MTL) and Jack Ivankovic (NSH).

2. Michigan State Spartans (12-4-0)

The Spartans will also be well represented at the world juniors, with sublime freshman Porter Martone (PHI) returning for Canada with revenge on his mind for last year’s quarterfinal exit. Meanwhile, Shane Vansaghi (PHI) will be looking to help Team USA make it three golds in a row.

3. North Dakota Fighting Hawks (14-4-0)

With only one loss since Halloween, the Fighting Hawks have really turned it on and look like a legit threat out of the NCHC. North Dakota’s most recent business was a tidy sweep over Omaha and their next series, not until early January, is against winless Mercyhurst.

4. Wisconsin Badgers (12-2-2)

 The Badgers are one to watch because they’re not getting the same headlines as some of their flashier Big Ten rivals – but Wisconsin’s record doesn’t lie. Coach Mike Hastings’ team is 3-1 against Michigan and Michigan State so far and seven Badgers have hit double-digit points already.

5. Denver Pioneers (12-6-1)

Thanks to their championship pedigree and coach David Carle, the Pioneers are going to get the benefit of the doubt this season: They’re not dead until they’re officially out of the Frozen Four. Denver has hit some adversity of late, but a non-conference series against Maine in the new year will be a tasty one.

6. Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (14-6-0)

Max Plante (DET) reclaimed the outright pole position in the NCAA scoring race over the weekend and now stands at 30 points through 20 games. He’ll be another one to watch for Team USA at the world juniors, where the offense will need players to step up after some big names (Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault) aged out of the tourney.

7.  Dartmouth Big Green (11-1-0)

And then there were none. Dartmouth lost to New Hampshire on Sunday, meaning there are no more undefeated teams in D1. It was a great run for the Big Green, whose next challenge comes at the end of the month with another non-conference opponent, Arizona State. Two tilts with the Sun Devils could be revealing.

8. Harvard Crimson (7-3-1)

Two of Harvard’s losses came to Michigan, which doesn’t look so bad now. Otherwise, the Crimson have largely taken care of business. They haven’t played Dartmouth or Quinnipiac yet and both of those match-ups will truly inform who the top dogs are in the ECAC. Mick Thompson leads Harvard in scoring with 15 points in 11 games.

9. Boston College Eagles (10-5-1)

There’s some nice uniformity in Boston right now, as the Eagles’ top threats also happen to be Bruins draft picks. James Hagens, of course, was expected to be a driver, but big Dean Letourneau has exploded as a sophomore, putting up the type of points expected of a first-rounder. And success has followed for the team.

10. Penn State Nittany Lions (11-5-0)

 It’s kinda funny that Penn State makes the list after not playing for a couple weeks, but their NPI is right up there and the record is still pretty solid. Gavin McKenna, the 2026 NHL draft prospect, will get a chance to really cut loose at the world juniors for Team Canada and silence the haters.

INGLEWOOD, CA — The Detroit Lions offense was sizzling like a hot Motown record during the first half. In the second half, they moonwalked back into the playoff bubble.

“The third quarter was rough on us,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said postgame. “They got a jump on us that we couldn’t overcome.”

The Lions surrendered 24 points in the second half — including 17 unanswered points during the third quarter — in a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Things were going good for Detroit in the first half. Lions quarterback Jared Goff passed for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Most of Goff’s targets went to wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. The pair combined for 13 catches, 218 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. However, the Lions unraveled after halftime.

The Lions offense had just five total yards and no first downs in a miserable third quarter. While the defense gave up 24 points and 272 yards in the second half.  

Goff and the Lions had previously won their past two games, including the playoffs, against the Rams. Sunday was a game the Lions needed to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

The Chicago Bears (10-4), Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) are both in front of the Lions (8-6) in the NFC North. The Lions are eighth in the NFC playoff race and were already swept by Green Bay this year. According to Next Gen Stats, Detroit only has a 41% chance to make the postseason. The Lions host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, and have road games versus the Minnesota Vikings and Bears to close the season. The Lions almost certainly have to win out — which is a tall task considering they haven’t won back-to-back games since Weeks 4 and 5.

“It starts with the guys in the locker room,” Lions linebacker Jack Campbell said. “Got the right guys, and it’s just how we respond, how we push forward, how we lean on each other.”

Detroit has won the NFC North for two consecutive seasons, but now there’s very little margin for error as the Lions are on the brink of being eliminated from postseason contention.

“8-6, still in it. Got three games left … like to win all three of them,” Goff said. “We got to win the first one.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has changed his tune in the hours following his post directed toward the Heisman Trophy voters on Saturday night.

Pavia shared a photo on his Instagram story after the Heisman Trophy ceremony with a message that read “(Expletive)-ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…..FAMILY FOR LIFE.”

Pavia had issued an apology on Sunday, stating, “being a part of the Heisman ceremony last night as a finalist was such an honor. As a competitor, just like in everything I do, I wanted to win. ”

Pavia was one of four finalists for college football’s most prestigious individual award. He finished second in the voting behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza finished with 2,362 points and 643 first-place votes while Pavia was second with 1,435 points and 189 first-place votes.

The award has 930 voters, including 870 media members, 59 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote.

Diego Pavia stats

Pavia completed 242 of 340 pass attempts for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 games played. He also rushed for 826 yards and nine touchdowns on 152 carries.

When is Diego Pavia’s next game?

Pavia and Vanderbilt will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.

The Dallas Cowboys had more to play for on ‘Sunday Night Football’ than the Minnesota Vikings did. As the night wore on, it sure seemed like the opposite was true.

The Vikings’ 34-26 win over the Cowboys on Dec. 14 served to crush Dallas’ playoff hopes.

After the Philadelphia Eagles’ win earlier in the day, the Cowboys needed a win to keep pace with the division leaders. Their only real route to the playoffs with three weeks left rested in winning the NFC East, and the Cowboys entered Week 15 just a game and a half back of the division lead.

The Vikings, meanwhile, entered the night already eliminated from playoff contention. All they could hope to do on ‘Sunday Night Football’ was play spoiler. And play spoiler they did, handing the Cowboys a seventh loss — and second prime-time loss in a row — to drop them below .500, pushing their playoff hopes to the brink.

Here’s how it all went down on Week 15’s ‘Sunday Night Football. USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and more from the ‘Sunday Night Football’ matchup between the Cowboys and Vikings below.

Cowboys vs. Vikings SNF takeaways

• The Cowboys’ defense will cost them a playoff berth: Dallas’ offense is one of the best units in the NFL by EPA/play (0.116 is fifth-best), success rate (47.2% is sixth), scoring (29.3 points per game, fourth) and total yards (394.9 yards per game, first). It was bound to struggle a bit against a Vikings defense that ranked among the best in the league. But even as Dallas’ drives stalled on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ kicker Brandon Aubrey was largely able to get points on the board. Conversely, the Cowboys’ defense has consistently ranked among the worst units in the NFL — 0.140 EPA/play allowed (29th), 48.7% success rate allowed (30th), 378.6 average yards allowed (29th) and 29.7 points per game allowed (31st). It showed in a big way against the Vikings, as Minnesota was able to sustain drives time and again despite quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s underthrows, failure to connect with Justin Jefferson and a banged-up offensive line missing its best player (LT Christian Darrisaw). The result? A career-high 250 passing yards by McCarthy, plus three total touchdowns for the quarterback — two in the air and one on the ground. And a Cowboys loss to drop them back below .500, all but completely dooming them to another year without a playoff berth.
• Justin Jefferson is having a bad year: The Vikings’ star receiver was McCarthy’s most targeted pass-catcher on Dec. 14 (eight targets) and still finished the game with just two catches for 22 yards. He had one touchdown overturned by a pre-snap procedure penalty and was unable to haul in another would-be touchdown that hit him in both hands. The Week 15 ‘Sunday Night Football’ game felt like a microcosm of Jefferson’s season — full of flowery potential that ultimately withered into disappointment. A not-insignificant factor affecting the lack of catches despite Jefferson’s high target count has been McCarthy’s struggles. There were more than a few throws that the second-year — de facto rookie — quarterback could have placed better on Dec. 14, including that would-be touchdown that hit Jefferson in the hands. But some of these throws — again, like that would-be touchdown that instead fell incomplete — are the kinds of throws that we’ve gotten used to seeing Jefferson catching, bailing his quarterback out of bad incompletions by sheer force of will and raw talent. Instead, the star receiver has struggled to connect with McCarthy in their first year together, with that non-touchdown just one bullet point in a list of misfires this year. And yet, Jefferson is still in a good position to finish the season with more than 1,000 yards in the sixth straight season to begin his career. Despite the struggles, he’s still a special player.
• Brandon Aubrey had one of the worst games of his career: The usually unflappable Cowboys kicker missed two of his career-high six field goal attempts against the Vikings. Both misses gave Minnesota a field-position advantage that it took advantage of both times, scoring a field goal on a short field the first time and putting together a 51-yard touchdown drive on a shorter field the second. In two previous career games with five field goal attempts — his previous career high — Aubrey was a perfect 5-for-5 both times.

Cowboys playoff chances

Dallas has less than a 1% chance to reach the postseason in 2025, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Dallas’ loss on ‘Sunday Night Football’ really hurt their playoff chances, and the Eagles’ win earlier today only further diminished the Cowboys’ playoff hopes.

Dak Prescott stats vs. Vikings

• 23-of-38 (60.5% completion rate)
• 294 passing yards
• 0 passing touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 84.8 passer rating
• 1 rushing attempts
• 2 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns

J.J. McCarthy stats vs. Cowboys

• 15-of-24 (62.5% completion rate)
• 250 passing yards
• 2 passing touchdowns
• 1 interceptions
• 108 passer rating
• 4 rushing attempts
• 15 rushing yards
• 1 rushing touchdown

Justin Jefferson stats vs. Cowboys

• 2 receptions (8 targets)
• 22 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

CeeDee Lamb stats vs. Vikings

• 6 receptions (10 targets)
• 111 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

George Pickens stats vs. Vikings

• 3 receptions (6 targets)
• 33 receiving yards
• 0 receiving touchdowns

Cowboys vs. Vikings highlights

Cowboys vs. Vikings final score: Vikings 34, Cowboys 26

Brandon Aubrey hits 41-yard field goal, Dallas fails to recover onside kick

The Cowboys needed two scores with time winding down, so they elected to kick a field goal on a second-and-10 play from the Vikings’ 23-yard line. Aubrey’s sixth field goal attempt was good to pull Dallas within eight points.

That made the score 34-26 Vikings. Aubrey’s ensuing onside kick attempt ended up in the Vikings’ possession, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy kneeled to end the game.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Will Reichard puts Vikings up two scores

Minnesota’s kicker booted a 53-yard field goal through the uprights to put the Vikings ahead 11 points with just over a minute left. Reichard will likely finish the night 2-for-2 after his most recent make.

The Vikings’ lead is 34-23 with just over a minute left.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Jalen Nailor extends Vikings’ lead with second TD

After Brandon Aubrey’s second missed field goal of the night, the Vikings drove 51 yards in five plays. They capped their possession off with Nailor’s second touchdown of the game and fourth of the season. Minnesota extended its lead to 31-23 with 9:12 left in the game.

Vikings 31, Cowboys 23

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: C.J. Ham TD gives Vikings the lead

Minnesota’s fullback took an inside handoff from quarterback J.J. McCarthy before walking across the goal line untouched.

Ham’s first touchdown of the season and third career score gave the Vikings a 24-23 lead — after kicker Will Reichard’s extra point — with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

Vikings 24, Cowboys 23

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Brandon Aubrey hits another FG

The Cowboys’ offense once again stalled in Minnesota territory, and Aubrey once again knocked through a field goal to let his team come away with points.

With the kick, Dallas extended its lead to 23-17 with 4:50 left in the third quarter.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Brandon Aubrey’s second FG reclaims Cowboys’ lead

The Vikings’ defense bent but didn’t break once again, stopping the Cowboys’ offense inside Minnesota’s own 10-yard line to start the second half.

Aubrey converted on his 26-yard field goal attempt to put the Cowboys back on top. Dallas holds a 20-17 lead with 11:09 left in the third quarter.

Cowboys 20, Vikings 17

Javonte Williams returns

The Cowboys’ lead running back had been out of the game since the Cowboys’ first drive, when he injured his shoulder.

Williams was back to begin the second half and recorded a carry on Dallas’ first drive.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score at halftime: Cowboys 17, Vikings 17

Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey nailed a 37-yard field goal after missing a 51-yarder earlier to even the score as ‘Sunday Night Football’ headed into halftime.

The Cowboys will receive the kickoff to begin the second half.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Vikings take their first lead on FG

Kicker Will Reichard knocked through a 29-yard field goal to give his team its first lead of the game after Minnesota’s drive stalled in the red zone. It’s 17-14 Vikings with 1:48 left in the first half.

Vikings 17, Cowboys 14

Justin Jefferson contract

• Length: Four years
• Value: $140 million
• AAV: $35 million

Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Vikings in 2024, including $110 million in guarantees. At the time, the deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

After former college teammate and current Cincinnati Bengals receiver inked a four-year, $161 million contract this past offseason, Jefferson is now the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL by average annual value.

Who is the Minnesota Vikings head coach?

Kevin O’Connell is the Vikings’ head coach. The former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator took over as Minnesota’s head coach in 2022, shortly after helping the Rams win Super Bowl 56.

Cowboys coaching staff

Dallas opened the 2025 season with a new coaching staff after firing previous head coach Mike McCarthy.

• Head coach: Brian Schottenheimer
• Offensive coordinator: Klayton Adams
• Defensive coordinator: Matt Eberflus

Schottenheimer previously served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach in the offseason. Dallas hired Adams, the former Cardinals offensive line coach, to replace Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator. Eberflus served as the Chicago Bears’ head coach from 2022 until his firing after Thanksgiving last year.

Are the Minnesota Vikings eliminated from the playoffs?

Yes. The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention before tonight’s kickoff.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: J.J. McCarthy evens the score

On a fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line, McCarthy faked a handoff to running back Jordan Mason, then literally danced into the end zone untouched.

It’s 14-14 with 9:28 left in the first half.

Cowboys 14, Vikings 14

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Malik Davis pushes the Cowboys ahead

Dallas ran two plays from the 1-yard line to begin the second quarter, and Davis hit pay dirt on the second try.

Filling in for the injured Williams, Davis scored the second touchdown of the season and third of his four-year career to put the Cowboys back on top. It’s 14-7 Dallas, eight seconds into the second quarter.

Cowboys 14, Vikings 7

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Jalen Nailor scores TD, suffers injury

Nailor was the beneficiary of a deep throw from quarterback J.J. McCarthy at the end of the Vikings’ third offensive drive. He hauled in the 20-yard pass for the touchdown, and kicker Will Reichard’s extra point evened the score.

Nailor remained on the ground and had to be attended to by Vikings trainers after the play. The game is tied at seven with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

Cowboys 7, Vikings 7

Javonte Williams injury update: Questionable to return (shoulder)

After scoring his touchdown, Williams underwent a medical evaluation with trainers on the Cowboys’ sideline.

The team has declared the running back questionable to return with a shoulder injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

What is Dak Prescott’s jersey patch?

Prescott is wearing a jersey patch honoring his 2022 selection as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The jersey patches were created by the NFL in 2017 to raise awareness of the award, which the league considers its most prestigious. The jersey patches are to be worn by any active player who has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Cowboys vs. Vikings score update: Javonte Williams scores first TD

The Cowboys take the lead on a one-yard rush from the veteran running back early in the first quarter. A fake field goal rush by kicker Brandon Aubrey on a fourth-and-4 situation a few plays earlier set up the rest of the touchdown drive. Dallas was able to put seven points on the board coming off of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s interception on the second play of the game.

It’s 7-0 Cowboys with 8:23 left in the first quarter.

Cowboys 7, Vikings 0

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

Dallas will be without startingtackle Tyler Guyton for a third straight week.

• WR Jalen Tolbert
• OT Tyler Guyton
• RB Jaydon Blue
• DT Jay Toia
• DT Perrion Winfrey

Vikings inactives vs. Cowboys

• LT Christian Darrisaw
• T Walter Rouse
• EDGE Chazz Chambliss
• DT Elijah Williams

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%.

NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket

1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3, NFC West leaders)*
2. Chicago Bears (10-4, NFC North leaders)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, NFC East leaders)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, NFC South leaders)
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3, wild card No. 1)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1, NFC North leaders)

* Clinched playoff berth

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1).

Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (5-8); Atlanta Falcons (5-9); New Orleans Saints (4-10); Washington Commanders (4-10); Arizona Cardinals (3-11); New York Giants (2-12).

The No. 1-ranked Nebraska volleyball team had not been tested in months. Until Sunday.

No. 3-seeded Texas A&M did what 33 other teams could not ― defeat a proverbial giant. The Aggies did it in the biggest match of their program’s history, the NCAA tournament regional final, and punched a ticket to their first Final Four. The Aggies beat the top-seed Cornhuskers 3-2  (25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 35-37, 15-13) at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

‘I’m not scared of them,’ Aggies head coach Jamie Morrison said before the match. ‘They’re a really good volleyball team, but we’ve talked the entire season and made an identity of making people uncomfortable, leaning in and imparting our will on the people that we’re playing.’

Imposing their will is putting it lightly. The Aggies had an answer for everything the Cornhuskers threw at them.

The Aggies went up 2-0 before Nebraska showed some fight, tying the match 2-2 behind huge pushes from Harper Murray and Rebekah Allick. Middle blocker Andi Jackson, who typically unravels opposing teams, was neutralized for most of the day with six kills and .045 hitting percentage.

After fighting through 10 fourth-set points, Nebraska forced a fifth set. Still, it was no match for the Aggies, who went on to win behind three players with double-digit kills. Kyndal Stowers led the Aggies with 25 kills and 16 digs plus two blocks. Logan Lednicky had 24 kills and six blocks.

‘We’re the grittiest team in the country by far,’ Lednicky said after the win.

‘I mean a lot of us are seniors. We’ve been doing this for a really long time,’ Lednicky added. ‘And I think all the newbies, too, they came in, ready to work, ready to grind, and we’re just such a special group of girls … It’s just amazing.’

Lednicky is one of nine seniors on Texas A&M’s roster. From the top down, Morrison’s team is loaded with talent that helped contribute to the Aggies’ massive upset. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, one of the best middle blockers in the country, started a 10-0 run in the first set to help the Aggies capture the frame and the momentum for the match. She also had six kills on .600 hitting, two aces, six digs and eight blocks. Morgan Perkins, in tandem with Cos-Okpolla, added five kills on .333 hitting and nine blocks. Outside hitter Emily Hellmuth was also critical down the stretch with 13 kills, two aces and four blocks.

After the Aggies’ historic win against Nebraska, Morrison shared that he’s been building up the program for the last three seasons and the victory Sunday is a testament to the players and staff.

‘I’m so proud of these driven human beings,’ Morrison said. ‘This whole group of human beings that we have as a part of our game.’

The Aggies head coach also shared that his group of seniors meant ‘everything to him and that Texas A&M ‘was building something that’s gonna last.’

The last time the Cornhuskers dropped a set was September, and the last time they had been down two sets was Aug. 31 against Kentucky, which has already punched its ticket to the Final Four. The Huskers won 3-2 back then, but could not pull off the reverse sweep on Sunday.

Murray, who had a career high 25 kills on .255 hitting plus three aces and nine digs, didn’t have enough to get the Huskers out of trouble, even with help from Allick. The middle blocker, who was explosive in the fourth set, added 15 kills on .480 hitting plus four blocks.

After the match, Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly somberly reflected on the Cornhuskers’ undefeated season coming to an end.

‘We played with a ton of joy. I think we maxed out,’ Busboom Kelly said. ‘We didn’t make the Final Four. We’re not winning a national championship.’

Busboom Kelly, who is in her first season as head coach, was still proud of her team and its 33-1 record. They left it all on the floor.

‘We can look back and have no regrets,’ she said.

Wisconsin went into Texas and punched its ticket to the NCAA Division I women’s volleyball Final Four on Sunday night.

The Badgers avenged an earlier loss to the Longhorns, who swept them on Aug. 31, to advance to the Final Four for the third time since 2020. Wisconsin (24-4) is a No. 3 seed and the lowest ranked team to make to the semifinals at No. 10 in the country.

Mimi Colyer led the Badgers with 23 kills and five digs. Una Vajagic added 15 kills and Carter Booth 11. The Badgers will play Kentucky (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the national semifinals on Thursday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

‘I just love this team; we fought so hard for each other,’ Colyer said. ‘It’s so much fun to come into an environment like this and pull it off.’

USA TODAY Sports had live coverage of the match. Here’s everything you need to know to know about the action.

SCORE: Wisconsin 3, Texas 1

Set 4 final: Wisconsin 25, Texas 19

The Badgers advance to the Final Four for the third time since 2020. Wisconsin (24-4) is a No. 3 seed and the lowest ranked team to make to the semifinals at No. 10 in the country.

Texas, a one seed, was ranked No. 3 in the nation and sees its season end.

Set 4: Wisconsin first to 15

Can the Badgers close this out and punch their ticket to the Final Four? They have been to Final Four six times and won their lone national title in 2021.

Wisconsin is hitting .318 in the fourth set.

Set 3 final: Texas 25, Wisconsin 19

Cari Spears now leads Texas with nine kills. The Longhorns are using a balanced attack and hit .400 in the third set to get back in the match.

Set 3: Texas first to 15

Torrey Stafford and Cari Spears have eight kills each as the Longhorns are fighting back. Texas is hitting .429 in the third set.

Set 2 final: Wisconsin 25, Texas 21

The Badgers hitting percentage is .315 compared to .246 by the Longhorns. Mimi Colyer got her 10th kill to seal the set. Charlie Fuerbringer has 32 assists in leading the Wisconsin offense.

Set 2: Wisconsin first 15

Wisconsin is enjoying a balanced offensive attack. Mimi Colyer has nine kills, Carter Booth seven and Grace Egan and Una Vajagic six apiece.

Set 1 final: Wisconsin 25, Texas 22

The Badgers went on a 7-0 run before the Longhorns fought back with a 5-0 run on their own. It wasn’t enough as Wisconsin prevailed led by six kills from Mimi Colyer.

Matthew McConaughey cheering for the Longhorn women

We are underway in Austin

The Badgers and Longhorns are set to faceoff for a Final Four bid.

What time is Wisconsin vs. Texas volleyball?

The Texas Longhorns play host to the Wisconsin Badgers in the NCAA Division I women’s volleyball Elite Eight on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT) at the Gregory Gym in Austin, Texas.

Wisconsin vs. Texas volleyball: TV, streaming

Date: Sunday, Dec. 14

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)

Location: Gregory Gym (Austin, Texas)

TV: ESPN

Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Watch NCAA volleyball tournament on Fubo

Wisconsin volleyball lineup

Texas volleyball starting lineup