The Dallas Cowboys (6-3) return to action this week against the Minnesota Vikings (8-1) and will look to bounce back from a loss to the Green Bay Packers. With a victory, the Cowboys can keep pace in the NFC playoff race and gain some confidence if they beat a red-hot Vikings squad.
On the Vikings’ side, they come into this game on a seven-game winning streak and should be oozing confidence after they beat the Buffalo Bills, who are arguably a Super Bowl contender.
(That game was arguably the best of the season so far.)
The last time these two teams met was last season, as the Cowboys not only pulled out a victory over the Vikings — but they did it with backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
While he isn’t the starter this time around — I would bet money that storyline will be a talking point among fans and in the sports world — if quarterback Dak Prescott and the Boys can’t beat the Vikings.
Despite all of that pre-game chatter, fans should expect an exciting game between these two teams, as it could be a playoff game preview. Both teams have many stars, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this game wounds up in a shootout.
Game Info:
Date: Sunday, November 20 | Time: 3:25 p.m. CT
Location: U.S Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
TV: CBS | Stream: NFL+ & FuboTV
Commentators: Tony Romo, Jim Nantz, Tracy Wolfson (I’m excited about listening to Romo for four quarters.)
Radio: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)
Odds:
Caesars Sportsbook: Line: DAL, -1.5 | O/U: 48.5
ESPN Pick Center: DAL (Spread): -1.5; Moneyline: -125 | MIN (Spread): +1.5; Moneyline: +105 | Total O/U: 48.5
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Cowboys: 56.6% chance to win | Vikings: 42.9% chance to win | Tie: 0.5%
Fantasy Plays:
Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb, RB Tony Pollard, QB Dak Prescott.
In a shootout, I expect the offense to look better than it did last week. With Lamb, he’s arguably a must-start, as he’s the number one option on the Boys. Even in a loss, Lamb exploded for 150 yards against a stingy Packers secondary, so I’m riding with him balling out.
While Elliott will likely return this game, Pollard should get his opportunities. The Vikings are a middle-of-the-pack run defense, and he will explode in spurts. If the Cowboys want to beat the Vikings, they need the ball in their playmaker’s hands — and Pollard is one of them.
Despite throwing two interceptions last week, Prescott still provided 19.2 points for fantasy owners. While fantasy points don’t win the game for the Cowboys, I’m riding with Prescott to do the best of both worlds and provide 20-plus FP and a win.
Minnesota Vikings: Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson
If you asked me for two guys to start every week from the Vikings, it would have to be running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Both are among the best at their position, and the Cowboys will likely key on stopping these two the whole game. With Jefferson, he’s just out of this world.
As the younger generation says, “He’s him.” It will be a sight to watch him match up with cornerback Trevon Diggs, who held him to two catches for 21 yards last season. Jefferson has been on fire this season. And he can single-handily take over a game.
For Cook, it’s an easy choice here, as the Cowboys run defense is subpar. Until they show improvement against defending the run, I’m riding with Cook having a solid day.
In his three career games versus the Boys, he has averaged 96.7 rushing yards per game. So, I won’t be surprised to see that number again on Sunday.
