NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings 8:20 PM Sunday, October 31st
After the bye week and seeing their lead in the NFC East grow to 4 games over the three 2-5 division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys have the Sunday night football game against another team coming off their bye week in the Minnesota Vikings. Of course, what a bye week be without some scandal in Dallas. Damontae Kazee getting arrested for DWI was plain stupidity. Every player since 2013 has a 1-800 number on their NFL ID Card that will connect them to a ride no matter the time, no questions asked. The other concern of course was the calf injury Dak Prescott suffered on the last play of overtime against the Patriots. The strain was nothing near as bad as the one Michael Gallup suffered, and Dak basically was in the pool getting treatment. Finally with the trade deadline approaching there’s nothing concrete to report that the Cowboys are looking into. To be sure though you can count on phone calls taking place and due diligence from the pro scouting staff who have every player graded. I really don’t see any movement on the horizon. With that said let’s look at this game.
Cowboys Offense vs Vikings Defense
The Cowboys lead the NFL with 34.2 points per game average and have really only been slowed down in one game this season. A rested group that will get a boost with the expected return of right tackle La’el Collins to an offensive line that has been above average thus far. Collins alongside Zach Martin has been one of the best run-blocking duos in the NFL for several seasons and will face the 17th ranked defense against the run in the Vikings. Go back two weeks and remember what the Cowboys did to a Patriots defense on the ground that was ranked even higher against the run. I expect the two happiest guys on the Cowboys entering this game are Elliott and Pollard, yes Terence Steele filled in nicely but Collins brings the run blocking up a notch or two. This like in every other Cowboys game is the key to opening up all the offense for Dak Prescott. We’ve all seen what happens when an opponent tries to defend the running attack, suddenly receivers are wide open downfield for Prescott. This is a good but not an elite defense in the Vikings. If Elliott and Pollard both get anywhere near their average yards per attempt, the Vikings are in for a long night. The other possible return to the roster is wide receiver Micahel Gallup, yes the 3rd guy in what many consider to be an elite trio of wide receivers who have been out since straining his calf in week one. Cedric Wilson has made several excellent catches in his absence, however, like the return of Collins on the line a return of Gallup to the receiving corps has to concern the Vikings’ defense. Gallup will be a limited participant in practice and might still be a week away. If he’s not just one more threat the Vikings need to account for.
Vikings Offense vs Cowboys Defense
No return yet for Neville Gallimore or Demarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys though will look to be much sharper than they were against the Patriots. It was a particularly weaker performance at linebacker than we have been used to. Neal, Parsons, and Vander Esche will all need to be much better facing Dalvin Cook than they played in New England. The Vikings also have a very good second back in Mattison who can also be an effective rusher. The Cowboys will also be tested by two very good receivers in Thielen and Jefferson. We can definitely expect a battle between Trevon Diggs and Justin Jefferson the two former SEC rivals will be looking to outplay each other. The Cowboys pass rushers must get to Kirk Cousins, we all know Cousins outside of last season has not been a primetime game performer, nor has he been able to do much with Washington or the Vikings against teams with a winning record (7-37 in his career) that’s why getting to him will be vital. I am expecting to see Parsons play more snaps as the edge rusher against the Vikings, if he and Randy Gregory can get to Cousins or cause him to make mistakes that are going to be a huge factor. Cousins proves my favorite quote about the quarterback position, “Too much credit, too much blame.” Let’s face it Cousins has never been behind what you would consider an elite offensive line, and when facing winning teams they have been able to get to him often. If the Cowboys eliminate the big plays against them and cause havoc in the Vikings’ backfield the better the outcome. Fair or not Cousins has to lay at a higher level than we’ve seen against teams with a winning record. That means all those weapons also have to be at a higher level. It’s confounding how with so many options the Vikings seem unable to put it together when needed most. Sort of reminds you of another franchise, yes the Cowboys have suffered that same dilemma for far too long. [pickup_prop id=”14099″]
Intangibles and Prediction
With a week off it’s absolutely paramount that the bugaboo of a slow start is avoided by the Cowboys. No fumbles, picks, or mind-boggling 4th down tries early on. yes Coach McCarthy that’s for you. There’s no excuse for a slow start with having a week to heal up, get away from the grind. Minds and bodies should be fresh and raring to go. Hopefully, McCarthy’s 9 and 2 record after a bye week is a good indicator that he will have the Cowboys ready to go. His only two losses after a bye week have come against unbeaten teams. Despite the clock management issues, this bodes well for the Cowboys. In order to keep pace with the likes of the Cardinals, Rams, Buccaneers, and Packers, the Cowboys must not allow complacency. 5 and 1 is nice but it means nothing and certainly, with a possibility (Slim as it seems) they could be fighting for the bone playoff bye at the season’s end. That has to be the focus. Given the Vikings are somewhat vulnerable against the run, as with every game if the Cowboys get Elliott and Pollard going then this should be another victory. That’s what I expect to happen Sunday night with the Dallas Cowboys winning 34 to 24 over the Minnesota Vikings.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
