It’s Andy Dalton back under centre for the 2-7 Dallas Cowboys as they hit the road up north to Minnesota for a date with the 4-5 Vikings.
The Vikings are winners of three straight, just finished an in-division tear and now have playoffs on their minds. Meanwhile in the NFC East, it’s still anyone’s division as the last-place Cowboys sit three points out of first.
But a bye week could change the Cowboys course this season — they did play undefeated Pittsburgh super close in their last game.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It’s been all Vikings when these teams square up, with Minnesota winning seven of their last 10 against Dallas and covering in all of the last seven meetings in Minneapolis. It just so happens that Minnesota is currently a seven-point favourite, according to oddsmakers. The Vikings have also done well against the spread this season at 6-3; the Cowboys first cover of the season came in Week 9.
This matchup should be won on the ground too. Two of the league’s best running backs are going head-to-head in Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook, although it’s been polar opposites in terms of their production this season. Cook leads the NFL with 954 rushing yards, while Elliott’s fell out of the top 10 with 572 yards and a 3.8-yard per carry average.
Dallas Cowboys
For Dallas, going back with Dalton is an interesting decision in itself. Sure Dalton’s the veteran who was brought in as insurance, but he holds a 64.4 passer rating — the worst among Cowboys’ quarterbacks this season — while throwing for only 5.3 yards per completion. Former AAF quarterback Garrett Gilbert seemed to spark life into Dallas when they last hit the field, as they reached over 10 points for the first time since Dak Prescott got injured.
Dallas’ bye week would go to good use if they figured out their run defence. The Cowboys are second-worst in both rushing yards against per game with 157 and yards per carry with five. Minnesota’s second-best with 5.2 yards per rush attempt.
Minnesota Vikings
With a 5.5-yard per carry average and league-leading 12 rushing touchdowns, Dalvin Cook has nearly been unstoppable this season. The Vikings go through Cook, but you best be careful loading the box too often versus the league’s top rusher.
If you do, it creates favourable matchups for receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Jefferson’s seventh in the NFL with 762 yards as a rookie and Thielen’s tied for the NFL lead in receiving touchdowns with nine. Their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, has played good enough lately, throwing six touchdowns and an interception over their three-straight wins versus the NFC North.
Minnesota’s improving on defence too, giving up 55 points total over their last three games.
Who Will Win Cowboys vs. Vikings?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 11 Nov 12:31pm | DAL | -9.5 -110 | O +48 -110 |
Closing 22 Nov 9:11pm | DAL | -7 -115 | O +50 -118 |
- Regular Season
Cowboys Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
979 |
Passing |
2170 |
Receiving |
92 |
Sacks |
6.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
17 |
Rushing |
1557 |
Passing |
4265 |
Receiving |
88 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
5 |
- Regular Season
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
979 |
Passing |
2170 |
Receiving |
92 |
Sacks |
6.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
17 |
Rushing |
1557 |
Passing |
4265 |
Receiving |
88 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Weather

temp | 39 |
condition | dome |
Injuries
Justin Hamilton (DT)
Ben Dinucci (QB)
Chidobe Awuzie (CB)
Ezekiel Elliott (RB)
Donovan Wilson (S)
Darian Thompson (S)
Blake Bell (TE)
Michael Gallup (WR)
Michael Gallup (WR)
Leighton Vander Esch (LB)
Brett Jones (C)
Dan Bailey (K)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)
Riley Reiff (T)
Cameron Dantzler (CB)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Jalyn Holmes (DE)
Jaleel Johnson (DT)
Hercules Mata'afa (DT)
Alexander Mattison (RB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Hamilton (DT) | I-R | Illness - 01 / 01 / 21 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Hamilton has hit the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown how long he will be sidelined. |
|||||
Ben Dinucci (QB) | Out Sun | Wrist - 31 / 12 / 20 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Dinucci has a sore right wrist, and it will impede his availability for Sunday's showdown with the Giants. |
|||||
Chidobe Awuzie (CB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Awuzie has injuries to his hamstring and groin, but he is likely to be a participant in Sunday's tilt with the Giants. |
|||||
Ezekiel Elliott (RB) | Prob Sun | Calf - 30 / 12 / 20 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Elliott is expected to take the field for Sunday's matchup versus the Giants despite a calf injury. |
|||||
Donovan Wilson (S) | Ques Sun | Illness - 30 / 12 / 20 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Wilson is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Giants on Sunday. |
|||||
Darian Thompson (S) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
Thompson has a concussion, and has also been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list. It is uncertain when he will return to action. |
|||||
Blake Bell (TE) | Ques Sun | Illness - 24 / 12 / 20 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
Bell is ailing from an illness, and his status for Sunday's clash against the Eagles is in question. |
|||||
Michael Gallup (WR) | Ques Sun | Hip - 21 / 12 / 20 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
Gallup was lifted from the last game with a hip pointer, leaving his status against the Eagles on Sunday hazy. |
|||||
Michael Gallup (WR) | day-to-day | Hip - 20 / 12 / 20 | 3-0 | 2-1 | + - |
Gallup was lifted from the last game with a strained hip, leaving his status against the Eagles in Week 16 hazy. |
|||||
Leighton Vander Esch (LB) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 20 / 12 / 20 | 3-0 | 2-1 | + - |
Vander Esch is out of commission due to a high-ankle sprain, and he will miss an extended period. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brett Jones (C) | Out Sun | Groin - 01 / 01 / 21 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Jones is hampered by a groin injury, and it will keep him off the field Sunday versus the Lions. |
|||||
Dan Bailey (K) | Ques Sun | Back - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bailey is managing a back injury, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's clash with the Lions. |
|||||
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE) | Out Sun | Chest - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Odenigbo has a chest injury, and he will not participate in Sunday's showdown against the Dolphins. |
|||||
Riley Reiff (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Reiff has been entered on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and will be out for an unknown length of time. |
|||||
Cameron Dantzler (CB) | Out Sun | Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Dantzler is hampered by a hamstring injury, and he will not face the Lions on Sunday. |
|||||
C.J. Ham (FB) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Ham is hindered by a quad injury, leaving his status against the Lions on Sunday clouded. |
|||||
Jalyn Holmes (DE) | Out Sun | Groin - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Holmes is bothered by a groin injury, and he will not take on the Lions on Sunday. |
|||||
Jaleel Johnson (DT) | Ques Jan 3 | Knee - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Johnson is hobbled by a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the field against the Lions on January 3rd. |
|||||
Hercules Mata'afa (DT) | Ques Fri | Back - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Mata'afa is hampered by a back injury, and has yet to be determined if he will participate in Friday's clash with the Saints. |
|||||
Alexander Mattison (RB) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Mattison is battling a concussion, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Lions. |
-
DALLAS COWBOYS
20 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
33
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 Nov 12:31pm DAL -9.5 -110 O +48 -110 Closing 22 Nov 9:11pm DAL -7 -115 O +50 -118 -
- Regular Season
Cowboys Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 979
Passing 2170
Receiving 92
Sacks 6.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 17
Rushing 1557
Passing 4265
Receiving 88
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 5
-
- Regular Season
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 979
Passing 2170
Receiving 92
Sacks 6.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 17
Rushing 1557
Passing 4265
Receiving 88
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 5
-
Weather
temp 39 condition dome -
Injuries
Justin Hamilton (DT)
I-R Illness - 01 / 01 / 21Ben Dinucci (QB)
Out Sun Wrist - 31 / 12 / 20Chidobe Awuzie (CB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20Ezekiel Elliott (RB)
Prob Sun Calf - 30 / 12 / 20Donovan Wilson (S)
Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 20Darian Thompson (S)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20Blake Bell (TE)
Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 12 / 20Michael Gallup (WR)
Ques Sun Hip - 21 / 12 / 20Michael Gallup (WR)
day-to-day Hip - 20 / 12 / 20Leighton Vander Esch (LB)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 20 / 12 / 20Brett Jones (C)
Out Sun Groin - 01 / 01 / 21Dan Bailey (K)
Ques Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)
Out Sun Chest - 30 / 12 / 20Riley Reiff (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 20Cameron Dantzler (CB)
Out Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20C.J. Ham (FB)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20Jalyn Holmes (DE)
Out Sun Groin - 22 / 12 / 20Jaleel Johnson (DT)
Ques Jan 3 Knee - 22 / 12 / 20Hercules Mata'afa (DT)
Ques Fri Back - 22 / 12 / 20Alexander Mattison (RB)
Prob Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Justin Hamilton (DT) I-R Illness - 01 / 01 / 21 1-0 1-0 + - Hamilton has hit the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown how long he will be sidelined.
Ben Dinucci (QB) Out Sun Wrist - 31 / 12 / 20 1-0 1-0 + - Dinucci has a sore right wrist, and it will impede his availability for Sunday's showdown with the Giants.
Chidobe Awuzie (CB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20 1-0 1-0 + - Awuzie has injuries to his hamstring and groin, but he is likely to be a participant in Sunday's tilt with the Giants.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB) Prob Sun Calf - 30 / 12 / 20 1-0 1-0 + - Elliott is expected to take the field for Sunday's matchup versus the Giants despite a calf injury.
Donovan Wilson (S) Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 20 1-0 1-0 + - Wilson is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Giants on Sunday.
Darian Thompson (S) Out indefinitely Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20 2-0 2-0 + - Thompson has a concussion, and has also been placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list. It is uncertain when he will return to action.
Blake Bell (TE) Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 12 / 20 2-0 2-0 + - Bell is ailing from an illness, and his status for Sunday's clash against the Eagles is in question.
Michael Gallup (WR) Ques Sun Hip - 21 / 12 / 20 2-0 2-0 + - Gallup was lifted from the last game with a hip pointer, leaving his status against the Eagles on Sunday hazy.
Michael Gallup (WR) day-to-day Hip - 20 / 12 / 20 3-0 2-1 + - Gallup was lifted from the last game with a strained hip, leaving his status against the Eagles in Week 16 hazy.
Leighton Vander Esch (LB) Out indefinitely Ankle - 20 / 12 / 20 3-0 2-1 + - Vander Esch is out of commission due to a high-ankle sprain, and he will miss an extended period.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Brett Jones (C) Out Sun Groin - 01 / 01 / 21 0-1 1-0 + - Jones is hampered by a groin injury, and it will keep him off the field Sunday versus the Lions.
Dan Bailey (K) Ques Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Bailey is managing a back injury, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's clash with the Lions.
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE) Out Sun Chest - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Odenigbo has a chest injury, and he will not participate in Sunday's showdown against the Dolphins.
Riley Reiff (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Reiff has been entered on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and will be out for an unknown length of time.
Cameron Dantzler (CB) Out Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Dantzler is hampered by a hamstring injury, and he will not face the Lions on Sunday.
C.J. Ham (FB) Ques Sun Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Ham is hindered by a quad injury, leaving his status against the Lions on Sunday clouded.
Jalyn Holmes (DE) Out Sun Groin - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Holmes is bothered by a groin injury, and he will not take on the Lions on Sunday.
Jaleel Johnson (DT) Ques Jan 3 Knee - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Johnson is hobbled by a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will take the field against the Lions on January 3rd.
Hercules Mata'afa (DT) Ques Fri Back - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Mata'afa is hampered by a back injury, and has yet to be determined if he will participate in Friday's clash with the Saints.
Alexander Mattison (RB) Prob Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 2-0 + - Mattison is battling a concussion, but it is likely that he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Lions.