Minnesota Vikings (8-2) – Dallas Cowboys (7-3): 3-40
Show of force by the Cowboys in Viking land. Mike McCarthy’s men dominated from head and shoulders. So much so that they offered themselves the luxury of letting the inmates rest in the 4th quarter for Thursday’s game for Thanksgiving. Starting with Dak Prescott (22/25, 276 yards, 2 TD) who delivered a clean match and who notably could rely on a huge Tony Pollard (15 races, 80 yards, 6 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD).
Taken back and defeated in Green Bay despite a 14-point advantage at the start of the last quarter, Dallas did not stop growing their advantage this time to never be worried or even embarrassed a little bit by Vikings totally overwhelmed . Sacked 7 times, under constant pressure, Kirk Cousins abandoned by his line, took the broth from start to finish. A hard return to earth after a series of 7 rank victories.
Dallas to perfection
With 249 yards and twice as much time of possession as their opponents, the Dallas offense entered the game perfectly and made a perfect first act with points scored on each of their five drives. The excellent work of undermining Tony Pollard is first materialized by Ezekiel Elliot on a run in force for a yard and the touchdown. Then the versatile running back, finds himself at the reception after a sprint of more than 30 yards. Kicker Brett Maher also stands out with a faultless kick including a 60-yard field goal that he had to kick (and succeed) twice.
5th TD in the last 3 games for @Tp__5 🔥
📺: #DALvsMIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/nraAG7X28b pic.twitter.com/NSaJVx2CvW— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2022
The defense is far from being outdone. Like Micah Parsons, discreet last week in Green Bay, the linebacker was a poison. A sack and a forced fumble, after only one minute of play, which allows Dallas to recover possession at the gates of the red zone. Pressure in shambles, another sack at the end of the first half which annihilates a drive. The Vikings are limited to 3 points and 98 short yards in the first half, and Kirk Cousins is constantly under pressure.
The drakkar sinks
The return of the locker room does not help the affairs of the Vikings. It takes barely 5 games for Prescott to once again find Pollard who spins for a touchdown from 68 yards. Three games and two sacks later, the locals must already return the ball. And Dallas improves it once again in touchdown. Elliot gets a double. 3-37. The stitches scroll too fast. And the purples are unable to react, especially offensively. They chain the punts. 7 in a row. The resignation is such that Kirk Cousins is even left on the bench for the 4th quarter in favor of Nick Mullens who is no more successful.
The defeat is heavy, the return to earth violent. The Cowboys gave them a display of football on both sides of the ball and walked away with the biggest away win in club history.
