The Dallas Cowboys returned from their bye week with hopes of securing a playoff spot by winning three consecutive games. However, their 44-30 loss on the road to the Detroit Lions last week has made their postseason path much tougher. Before facing Detroit, the Cowboys’ chances were already slim, and now, as they hold a 6-6-1 record, they face an uphill battle. They will need considerable help to keep their playoff hopes alive when they meet the Minnesota Vikings (5-8) on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET. The best chance for Dallas to reach the playoffs is by winning the NFC East title, which requires defeating the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles (8-5), who have lost their last three games.
Currently, the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, with 9-4 records, occupy the two NFC wild-card slots. Losing to the Vikings would almost end the Cowboys’ hopes for a wild-card spot. Even with a win, Dallas must hope Philadelphia continues to struggle since the Eagles will play the low-ranked Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) and the Washington Commanders (3-10) twice in the last three weeks. The Vikings, fresh off a 31-0 win over Washington that ended their four-game losing streak, aim to crush Dallas’ postseason chances. A key player for Dallas, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who left last week’s game with a concussion after a strong performance (six receptions for 121 yards), is expected to return, making him a significant threat to Minnesota.
Sunday’s NBA schedule features eight games, including a contest between the Golden State Warriors (13-13) and the Portland Trail Blazers (9-16) at 9 p.m. ET at the Moda Center. The Trail Blazers, who have lost six of their last seven games but won both meetings against the Warriors this season, will look to continue their advantage. In the NHL, six games are slated, including the Montreal Canadiens (16-11-4) hosting the Edmonton Oilers (15-11-6) at 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Center. The Oilers extended their winning streak to five games with a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
In college basketball, Washington State (3-7) faces the University of Southern California (9-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The Cougars are on a four-game losing streak, while the Trojans are coming off a strong 94-81 win over San Diego, bouncing back from their only loss.
Latest NFL odds have the Cowboys favored by 5.5 points against the Vikings. The Warriors are favored by 4.5 points over the Trail Blazers, the Oilers are -130 favorites against the Canadiens, and USC is a 14.5-point favorite over Washington State.
Here’s a snapshot of key viewing and betting info for Sunday, December 14:
– NFL game Cowboys vs. Vikings: 8:20 p.m., Arlington, Texas, on NBC, streaming on Fubo (free trial). SportsLine models favor Cowboys -5.5 and prop pick JJ McCarthy over 28.5 pass attempts.
– NBA game Trail Blazers vs. Warriors: 9 p.m., Portland, on NBA League Pass, streaming on Fubo (free trial). SportsLine models suggest under 234.5 points and expert pick Warriors -4.
– NHL game Canadiens vs. Oilers: 7 p.m., Montreal, on NHL Network, streaming on Fubo (free trial). SportsLine model slightly favors the Canadiens at +109.
– College basketball Washington State vs. USC: 7:30 p.m., Los Angeles, on FS1, streaming on Fubo (free trial). SportsLine models favor USC -14.5.
Fan Take: The Oilers’ five-game winning streak and the Canadiens’ underdog status make this NHL matchup a must-watch for hockey fans, showcasing the competitive intensity of the season’s mid-point. This game could highlight rising stars and strategic team adjustments that may influence playoff positioning and future rivalries in the league.
