By Alex Al-Kazzaz
The fact that Dallas is favored this week against Minnesota is already ludicrous considering Dallas was embarrassed last week against Green Bay. At the same time, Minnesota won in an awe-inspiring fashion on the road against Buffalo. Quite frankly, it's appalling that Dallas is favored by a point and a half and the ESPN analytics matchup predictor is giving Dallas a 57 percent chance of winning.
Granted, the Cowboys have beaten the Vikings on the road two straight times. However, the Vikings are 8-1 and 4-0 at home this season. Dallas is 6-3 in a very tight NFC East race. With Dallas in third with a fourth-place Washington Commanders team knocking on the door, the Cowboys cannot afford a loss and need to start a new winning streak that must last. And right now, it doesn't look like it's happening. In other words, Dallas' season may only sink lower and lower into obscurity.
Many things went wrong for Dallas last week. Not surprisingly, offensive play-calling was questionable, Dak Prescott's two interceptions were costly, and the team couldn't maintain a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. The highlight perhaps had to be Mike McCarthy's decision to go for it on fourth down rather than kick the field goal in overtime. Overall, Dallas' failure in Green Bay was as a team and that being said, EVERYONE is to get their act together.
For both Dallas and Minnesota, their results from last week speak for themselves. Minnesota has momentum going into this game while Dallas is in a dire must-win situation. Justin Jefferson had ten catches for 193 yards while Dalvin Cook carried the ball 14 times for 119 yards and scored once. Kirk Cousins finished 30-for-50 for 357 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Dallas' defense has regressed and they're facing another major challenge this week. Trevon Diggs vs Justin Jefferson is one of this game's scenarios. The Dallas rushing defense is not very good and they'll have a hard time against Cook. Prescott and the offense needs must produce good results and to do that they need good rhythm and that all starts with correct play-calling.
Overall, there are many unanswered questions about the Cowboys. Perhaps on paper, there's NO CHANCE for Dallas. Clearly, the odds are NOT in Dallas' favor and that's all the edge that Minnesota needs.