While most of focus in Week 10 will be on the Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks—two massive 2019 influencers on the NFC side of the Pigskin Equator—the matchup on Sunday night shouldn’t be neglected or extinguished of any Hot Takes.
Cowboys. Vikings. Alright, Sunday night!
Another NFC clash, these two franchises have a rich history in NFL lore, a surplus of Hall of Famers and Purple People Eaters, and a world that is known as ‘Jerry’s.” Their reign as Best in Show challenged at times, both the Cowboys and Vikings are part of the select few brands in the league, where the success of each makes for a more enjoyable overall product.
Like ’em or not, it’s cool when both of these teams are playing good football—which brings us to Sunday Night 2019, Chapter 24.
The outcomes of previous 23 meetings—beginning in 1961 with a “Dandy” Don Meredith-led Cowboys victory—are nearly even. The Cowboys lead the overall series, 12-11, but have been outscored 533-549. (I’m sure some of that was Chan Gailey’s fault.) And that kind of “anyone’s game” perfectly encapsulates the difficulty in coming up with reasons either current squad should win, or lose.
Although both teams have played well, neither has achieved a total vote of confidence from the public (or Adam Thielen). Instead, it’s been more of an uncertainty, that “yeah…but…” kind of doubt and raised eyebrows.
Survey says: Some questions need answering.
One: After that inaugural meeting, back in 1961, when Fran Tarkenton was held to 8-of-24 passing for 117 yards, two interceptions, and a QBR of 15.5, did anyone ever ask him if the poor performance directly related to his alma mater’s defeat to Alabama (32-6) the day before?
While you think about that historical enigma, here are five other questions that I have for this week’s battle in Dallas.
5. Is the Vikings’ running attack really that good?
The Vikings come into this game with the second-ranked running offense. The Cowboys welcome them to Dallas with the eighth-ranked run defense.
With that type of success, it would make sense that the Vikings will want to establish the run—which, usually is the case anyway—and then, reversely, the Cowboys will be looking to eliminate that part of the game.
But—but!—is the Vikings’ running attack really that good? In the past five weeks, they have gone up against Kansas City, Washington, Detroit, Philly, and New York (Giants). Other than the Eagles—ranked ninth against the run—the other teams’ run-stopping abilities are at the bottom of the league.
So, advantage Cowboys? Or do we accept that the Vikings have exploited these defenses because the likes of Dalvin Cook and company are that good?
4. Can Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup provide the “air” to the Cowboys’ offense?
Ezekiel Elliott’s output the last three games—100 yards-plus and a whole bunch of “Hey, this is how I eat cereal!” motions in each—has added balance to a Cowboys offense that has looked superb in the last two wins.
Coming into this matchup, however, the real spotlight is less on Elliot and more on Dak Prescott. The Cowboys’ passing game is ranked eighth overall, but this test is against a Mike Zimmer defense. They blitz, cover well, and generally cause headaches for the opponent.
Assuming that the strong offensive line play from the Cowboys can negate a part of that scenario, it would then come down to Prescott’s ability to make plays downfield to Amari Cooper (who’s knee injury has been upgraded to not an issue) and Michael Gallup.
Perhaps the better question is: Will Xavier Rhodes show up strong for the Vikings’ secondary?
3. Will Leighton Vander Esch be the key to success… for both the Cowboys and the Vikings?
The Cowboys’ talented linebacker was questionable with a neck injury but has since been cleared for takeoff in Week 10. And that’s definitely not great news for Minnesota—a team that ranks in the bottom of the league in protecting their quarterback.
The Cowboys pressure up the middle, which can force the tackles to shift more help toward the interior, takes away time from covering the edges. Ultimately, it makes for one of those double-edged-sword situations you’d rather not have to face, where the Vikings’ will be exposed to athletic standouts on the outside, like Vander Esch.
But there’s also a silver lining to that situation.
The pressure that the Cowboys will undoubtedly feature in the defensive scheme opens the underneath check-downs—running backs and tight ends—and covering/disrupting that zone-based weakness has not been Vander Esch’s most significant skill set.
It seems minor, almost too dissecting, but when your QB is pretty competent with play-action…maybe this is the element of the offense where Dalvin Cook truly shines?
2. Minnesota “Diggs” the Cowboys’ weakness, right?
Hi, it’s the New York Jets fan base.
We’re practically non-existent on the field this season, we just got beat by the Miami Dolphins, and some of us have been keeping an eye on Vinny Testaverde, maybe hoping that he’s open to a “Third time’s the charm” thing…but, like, as a coach. (Yeah, totally kidding about the last part there, but come on! Right?)
Anyway, let us tell you about the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary. It’s pretty wet paper bag-y. Lucas, the boy in the ’80s movie, would probably put up over 100 yards on, like, 10-plus catches against them. Heck Army would torch them for 300 yards or more, and I think they run the triple option.
Case in point, Vikes:
Our passing attack is ranked 32nd in the league. That’s dead last. And yet—J-E-T-S—we rolled Dallas, torched them. It was Sam Darnold’s first game back from mononucleosis, we were winless, but our passing game looked magnificent—23-of-32, 338 yards, and two touchdowns.
We’re not really into helping other teams, but something tells us that, if you can get Stefon Diggs into some one-one-one situations, then Kirk (sorry, is it Kirk or Kurt?)…Cousins can exploit the Cowboys’ secondary—just like we did!
Sincerely,
The Jets fan base
PS: Tell the Cowboys to go easy on Jason Garrett—trust us, it could be a lot worse.
1. Maybe we’re waiting all day for…Kevin Stefanski vs. Kellen Moore?
Behind every big matchup, there are always a few unknowns during the game that suddenly become one of the most talked-about things after the game.
Perhaps Alexander Mattison goes from having substantial efforts to having a monstrous night.
Maybe Jason Witten turns back the clock so far that Cowboys fans swear they saw Quincy Carter suddenly appear on the sidelines.
No matter how the storyline goes, some of the shine with these types of “Whoa! Him?” moments usually go to the coordinators who devise ways to get the best out of every player, to put them in situations to succeed.
That’s why, to me, two nominees for a Best Supporting role on Sunday night are the offensive coordinators.
When you look at both the Vikings and Cowboys, a lot of what’s there (yes, on paper) basically makes for a push—as mentioned above. There are goods and bads, for both teams, on both sides of the ball.
So, then, some of the success (or failure) will come down to the game plan, outcomes that will rely on what Kellen Moore and Kevin Stefanski can create for the offenses. The “a-ha!” elements that will leave the other team’s coaches rethinking the schemes—with either Jason Garrett clapping his hands in a denial-shadowed reassurance, or Mike Zimmer dropping a lip readable f-bomb.
(And my guess is, Tarkenton was totally bummed about his Georgia Bulldogs. That was a “ruff” loss.)
