The Dallas Cowboys (5-1, 2-1 away) look to run their winning streak to six games on the road against the Minnesota Vikings (3-3, 2-1 home). The Vikings have won three of their last four, and a victory Sunday night would be a continued step in the right direction for Minnesota.
Sunday’s contest is scheduled to kickoff at 8:20 p.m. EST inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Minnesota is a 3-point favorite, and the over-under total is slated at 52 points.
What to Know – Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has asserted itself as one of the best teams in the NFL through the first two months of the season. A major hurdle facing the Cowboys’ chances to run their winning streak to six games is the service of starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott is listed as questionable for the Sunday Night tilt, and many surrounding the situation believe it will be a surprise if Prescott plays.
If Dak can’t go, sidelined with a calf injury, the Cowboys hand the offense over to undrafted free agent Cooper Rush. Rush has three career NFL passes to his name and hasn’t taken a single snap under center this year.
The backfield combo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard might see a lot of action if Rush makes his first NFL start. Both running backs are piecing together solid seasons, Elliott averaging 5.1 yards per carry and Pollard averaging 6.0.
Dallas is 6-0 against the spread this season, but 1-5 ATS facing Minnesota in their last six games. The Cowboys have hit the over in five of their six games this season.
What to Know – Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have turned around a 1-3 start to get back to .500 and now have their sights set on keeping the momentum going. A win for Minnesota keeps the Vikings in an earshot of the streaking Green Bay Packers, who have a current two-game lead in the NFC North.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins tossed three touchdowns in the overtime victory over the Panthers and has quietly put together a nice year with 13 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Cousins should have a field day against the Cowboys’ defense that surrenders 311.2 yards through the air to opposing quarterbacks.
The often banged-up Dalvin Cook will be rested and ready to attack the Dallas defense on the ground. Cook erupted for a season-high 140 yards on the ground in the Week 6 victory over Carolina.
Minnesota is 3-3 ATS this year, but 1-6 ATS in their last seven battles at home. In six of the Vikings’ last ten games, the total has gone under.
The Pick is In
The news isn’t ideal for Cowboys fans and the status of Prescott. If he can’t go, the Dallas offense shifts to a rush-first attack. Rush is surrounded by talent, but can the backup make the plays to get the ball into their hands?
Minnesota has the talent to pull the upset, and we feel confident in the Vikings at home against a backup QB, but we will side with the under here with both teams focus on establishing the rush.
Betting Pick: Cowboys/Vikings Under 52.0 Points
