Cowboys jump out, fall back, rally to veto Vikings, 31-28

The Dallas Cowboys offense came out of the bye week with a rhythm they hadn’t held for more than a month. Maybe there was something to the defensive coaching staff, including former Vikings DC George Edwards working with the offensive personnel over …

The Dallas Cowboys offense came out of the bye week with a rhythm they hadn’t held for more than a month. Maybe there was something to the defensive coaching staff, including former Vikings DC George Edwards working with the offensive personnel over the break. Andy Dalton, out the last two games with concussion and COVID-19 issues, returned under center and orchestrated a professional looking offense to the tune of four touchdowns.

That was more than Dallas had scored in the four losses since starting QB Dak Prescott went down against the New York Giants. The final score came in the clutch, with Dallas trailing by four Dalton engineered one final drive when he found tight end Dalton Schultz wide open on third and goal to give Dallas a three-point lead. A porous defense that had allowed over 425 yards to that point held tough and when a final flag turned out to be a Vikings’ player’s shoe, there the Cowboys stood victorious, 31-28.

Unfortunately, the defensive improvements the Cowboys had shown over the last few games went away as well. When Dalvin Cook wasn’t running over and through the defense, Kirk Cousins was targeting wide open receivers with a near-perfect passer rating. Minnesota totaled over 425 yards on offense and rallied twice in a three-TD second half to emerge victorious, 28-24.

The win moved Dallas to 3-7 on the season and ended the Vikings four-game win streak, dropping them to 4-6 on the year. Dallas finds itself just a half game out from first place after Philadelphia (3-6-1) lost to Cleveland earlier in the day.

Dallas had over 180 rushing yards on the day as Ezekiel Elliott broke the 100-yard barrier for the first time all season and Tony Pollard contributed a 42-yard score. CeeDee Lamb made one of the best TD scores of the year and it all contributed to their first victory since October 11.

Dallas faces Washington on Thursday and the winner will be in first place in the division.