The Cowboys’ defense saw the yellow laundry on three personal fouls late in the fourth quarter, two being on defensive end Randy Gregory and the other on defensive end Tarell Basham. The questionable penalties helped the Vikings make it within the Dallas 5-yard line but the defense got stingy, forcing them to make a field goal for a 16-13 lead with under three minutes left.
On the second play of the ensuing Cowboys drive, wide receiver Amari Cooper juggled a pass off of Minnesota defenders for a 33-yard catch before ripping off an 18-yard gain on the next play to get Dallas into opposing territory.
The concentration by Amari Cooper here 😱
📺: #DALvsMIN on NBC
📱: https://t.co/vo1pze9aC5 pic.twitter.com/WtUywfW0I3— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2021
The Cowboys’ biggest drive of the game was frozen at the Vikings 20-yard line for a long third down. That was before running back Ezekiel Elliott barreled through defenders for a first down. The next play?
COOPER TO COOPER.
Cowboys take the lead! #DallasCowboys
📺: #DALvsMIN on NBC
📱: https://t.co/vo1pze9aC5 pic.twitter.com/CB4Ortl0MD— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2021
Quarterback Cooper Rush’s best throw of the night was also the biggest one, giving Dallas a 20-13 lead with 51 seconds remaining.