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?

Cowboys Team Leaders

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 7
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 707
Passing	Dak Prescott 1856
Receiving	Amari Cooper 71
Sacks	Aldon Smith 5
Interceptions	Chidobe Awuzie 1

MIN

Touchdowns	Dalvin Cook 14
Rushing	Dalvin Cook 1069
Passing	Kirk Cousins 2461
Receiving	Adam Thielen 49
Sacks	Eric Wilson 3
Interceptions	Harrison Smith 3

Vikings Team Leaders

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 7
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 707
Passing	Dak Prescott 1856
Receiving	Amari Cooper 71
Sacks	Aldon Smith 5
Interceptions	Chidobe Awuzie 1

MIN

Touchdowns	Dalvin Cook 14
Rushing	Dalvin Cook 1069
Passing	Kirk Cousins 2461
Receiving	Adam Thielen 49
Sacks	Eric Wilson 3
Interceptions	Harrison Smith 3

Weather

temp	39
condition	dome

Injuries

Dallas

Zack Martin (G)

day-to-day Calf - 26 / 11 / 20

Cameron Erving (T)

day-to-day Knee - 26 / 11 / 20

D.J. Reed (DB)

Ques Mon Foot - 26 / 11 / 20

Luke Gifford (LB)

Elig Week 14 Suspension - 24 / 11 / 20

Anthony Brown (CB)

day-to-day Ribs - 23 / 11 / 20

Greg Zuerlein (K)

Prob Thurs Back - 23 / 11 / 20

Blake Bell (TE)

Prob Thurs Back - 23 / 11 / 20

Demarcus Lawrence (DE)

Prob Sun Illness - 19 / 11 / 20

Ezekiel Elliott (RB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 18 / 11 / 20

Randy Gregory (DE)

Prob Sun Illness - 18 / 11 / 20

Minnesota

Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)

Ques Sun Concussion - 25 / 11 / 20

Harrison Smith (S)

Prob Sun Neck - 25 / 11 / 20

Irv Smith Jr. (TE)

Ques Sun Groin - 25 / 11 / 20

Adam Thielen (WR)

Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 11 / 20

Garrett Bradbury (C)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 18 / 11 / 20

C.J. Ham (FB)

Out indefinitely Personal - 18 / 11 / 20

Hercules Mata'afa (DT)

Prob Sun Ankle - 18 / 11 / 20

Ezra Cleveland (T)

Ques Sun Ankle - 18 / 11 / 20

Eric Kendricks (LB)

Prob Sun Upper Body - 16 / 11 / 20

Dru Samia (G)

Out indefinitely Illness - 15 / 11 / 20

Injuries

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Zack Martin (G)	day-to-day	Calf - 26 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Martin was lifted from the previous game with a calf injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Ravens during Week 13.
Cameron Erving (T)	day-to-day	Knee - 26 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Erving exited the last game with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens in Week 13.
D.J. Reed (DB)	Ques Mon	Foot - 26 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Reed is managing a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will suit up Monday versus the Eagles.
Luke Gifford (LB)	Elig Week 14	Suspension - 24 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Gifford has been issued a two-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He will be eligible to return Week 14 against the Bengals.
Anthony Brown (CB)	day-to-day	Ribs - 23 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Brown sat out the last contest with a rib injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active Week 13 versus the Ravens.
Greg Zuerlein (K)	Prob Thurs	Back - 23 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Zuerlein is bothered by a back injury, but it is projected that he will take the field Thursday versus the Washington Football Team.
Blake Bell (TE)	Prob Thurs	Back - 23 / 11 / 20	1-0	1-0	+ -
Bell is tending to a back injury, but he is expected to line up against the Washington Football Team on Thursday.
Demarcus Lawrence (DE)	Prob Sun	Illness - 19 / 11 / 20	2-0	1-1	+ -
Lawrence is ailing from an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Viking's on Sunday.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 18 / 11 / 20	2-0	1-1	+ -
Elliott is expected to face the Vikings on Sunday despite a hamstring injury.
Randy Gregory (DE)	Prob Sun	Illness - 18 / 11 / 20	2-0	1-1	+ -
Gregory is ailing from an illness, but he is likely to suit up against the Vikings on Sunday.

Minnesota

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)	Ques Sun	Concussion - 25 / 11 / 20	0-1	1-0	+ -
Odenigbo is battling a concussion and shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if he will pass protocol prior to Sunday's battle with the Panthers.
Harrison Smith (S)	Prob Sun	Neck - 25 / 11 / 20	0-1	1-0	+ -
Smith is nursing a neck injury, but he is projected to line up against the Panthers on Sunday.
Irv Smith Jr. (TE)	Ques Sun	Groin - 25 / 11 / 20	0-1	1-0	+ -
Smith Jr. is managing groin and back injuries, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Panthers on Sunday.
Adam Thielen (WR)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 23 / 11 / 20	0-1	1-0	+ -
Thielen has been ticketed to the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and he will miss an extended period.
Garrett Bradbury (C)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 18 / 11 / 20	1-1	1-1	+ -
Bradbury has a shoulder injury, but he is expected to line up against the Cowboys on Sunday.
C.J. Ham (FB)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 18 / 11 / 20	1-1	1-1	+ -
Ham has popped up on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and he will miss an extended period.
Hercules Mata'afa (DT)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 18 / 11 / 20	1-1	1-1	+ -
Mata'afa is bothered by an ankle injury, but he is projected to dress for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.
Ezra Cleveland (T)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 18 / 11 / 20	1-1	1-1	+ -
Cleveland sat out the previous game with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Panthers on Sunday.
Eric Kendricks (LB)	Prob Sun	Upper Body - 16 / 11 / 20	2-1	2-1	+ -
Kendricks left the previous game due to an upper-body injury, but he is likely to line up against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Dru Samia (G)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 15 / 11 / 20	2-1	2-1	+ -
Samia is on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and it is uncertain how long it will take him to pass protocol.