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?

• Regular Season

Cowboys Team Leaders

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 8
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 979
Passing	Andy Dalton 2170
Receiving	Amari Cooper 92
Sacks	Demarcus Lawrence 6.5
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs 3

MIN

Touchdowns	Dalvin Cook 17
Rushing	Dalvin Cook 1557
Passing	Kirk Cousins 4265
Receiving	Justin Jefferson 88
Sacks	Ifeadi Odenigbo 3.5
Interceptions	Harrison Smith 5

• Regular Season

Vikings Team Leaders

DAL

Touchdowns	Ezekiel Elliott 8
Rushing	Ezekiel Elliott 979
Passing	Andy Dalton 2170
Receiving	Amari Cooper 92
Sacks	Demarcus Lawrence 6.5
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs 3

MIN

Touchdowns	Dalvin Cook 17
Rushing	Dalvin Cook 1557
Passing	Kirk Cousins 4265
Receiving	Justin Jefferson 88
Sacks	Ifeadi Odenigbo 3.5
Interceptions	Harrison Smith 5

Weather

temp	39
condition	dome

Injuries

Dallas

Justin Hamilton (DT)

I-R Illness - 01 / 01 / 21

Ben Dinucci (QB)

Out Sun Wrist - 31 / 12 / 20

Chidobe Awuzie (CB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20

Ezekiel Elliott (RB)

Prob Sun Calf - 30 / 12 / 20

Donovan Wilson (S)

Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 20

Darian Thompson (S)

Out indefinitely Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20

Blake Bell (TE)

Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 12 / 20

Michael Gallup (WR)

Ques Sun Hip - 21 / 12 / 20

Michael Gallup (WR)

day-to-day Hip - 20 / 12 / 20

Leighton Vander Esch (LB)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 20 / 12 / 20

Minnesota

Brett Jones (C)

Out Sun Groin - 01 / 01 / 21

Dan Bailey (K)

Ques Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20

Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)

Out Sun Chest - 30 / 12 / 20

Riley Reiff (T)

Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 12 / 20

Cameron Dantzler (CB)

Out Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 20

C.J. Ham (FB)

Ques Sun Quadricep - 22 / 12 / 20

Jalyn Holmes (DE)

Out Sun Groin - 22 / 12 / 20

Jaleel Johnson (DT)

Ques Jan 3 Knee - 22 / 12 / 20

Hercules Mata'afa (DT)

Ques Fri Back - 22 / 12 / 20

Alexander Mattison (RB)

Prob Sun Concussion - 22 / 12 / 20

Injuries

Dallas

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.

Minnesota

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.