The Dallas Cowboys gambled and won on Sunday Night Football. All week long, the biggest question on every fan and reporter’s mind was whether or not franchise QB Dak Prescott was going to be able to play. A calf injury sustained on the game-winning throw against New England in Week 6 would’ve definitely kept him out if there was a game in Week 7. A bye week made things interesting as he rehabbed throughout practice, ramping up as the week went along.
While he worked with trainer Britt Brown, backup QB Cooper Rush was taking all of the first-string snaps. The words were coy, but it appeared Dallas’ coaching staff was prepared for the inevitable while trying to leave some intrigue to keep the Minnesota Vikings guessing. Then Prescott worked out for the pre-game and by most accounts looked capable of playing. But he didn’t. And then all Rush did in his first career start was go out and throw a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter to lead the Cowboys to their sixth straight win, 20-16.
Rush passed for 325 yards on the game, tossing two scores against one interception and a lost fumble. Unlike the previous six games this year and last four of 2020, the defense didn’t force two turnovers ending a streak. They didn’t force a single one, but had perhaps their most impressive performance of the season, locking down Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense after an opening drive put the Cowboys in a 7-0 hole.
Dallas shut down the run game of the Vikings and limited Cousins, despite only sacking him once, to just 184 passing yards. When the Cowboys held the Vikings to a field goal despite several questionable penalties escorted them down the field late in the game, Rush was able to answer by igniting his connection with WR Amari Cooper. The pair connected three times on the drive, including a fade to the back left corner of the end zone with under a minute remaining.
The Cowboys’ defense stopped Minnesota on their last 12 third-down attempts, finishing 1-for-13 on the evening. They got that 12th stop and then followed with their first fourth-down stop of the game as time expired to move their record to 6-1 on the season.
Top Passer: Rush 24-40, 325 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 INT, 92.2 rating
Top Rusher: Ezekiel Elliott 16 rushes, 50 yards, 4 receptions, 23 yards
Top Receiver: Cooper 8 receptions 122 yards, 1 touchdown
Top Defender: Micah Parsons, 10 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 QB Hit, 4 TFLs
Next Game: November 7, vs Denver Broncos, Noon CT