Cowboys start slow, Vikings win though: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Ugly

The Cowboys run game was atrocious against the Vikings. The Dallas defense was atrocious stopping the run.

The NFL in 2019 has gaudy quarterback numbers with multiple quarterbacks on pace for 4,000 yard seasons and completion percentages in the 70’s. Yet the teams that can impose their will to run the ball and stop the run still are successful.

On the critical third down with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter, running back Ezekiel Elliott took the hand-off and ran to his left. Guard Connor Williams and center Travis Frederick were not able to get a block on Vikings tackle Ifeadi Odenigbo who sliced through the line dropping Elliott for a three yard loss.

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The Cowboys were doing the right thing to bleed the clock to reduce any chance Minnesota would have to counter. A third down run with a power back and stout offensive line should be enough to gain the first down.

But Elliott seemed to be seeing ghosts all night. He seemed to expect to be hit behind the line of scrimmage. Collinsworth would explain how Frederick missed his blocking assignment but Elliott missed an opportunity to improvise by not running behind Frederick.

Frederick was only able push Odenigbo sideways but right guard Zack Martin was able to seal his man leaving a gaping hole between Frederick and Martin. Third and two became fourth and five.

On a night with Prescott gashing the Vikings defense with tosses to his wide receivers, he choose to pass to Elliott on fourth down. Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks made a great play on the ball to deflect it before Elliott could secure a first down catch.

It was very unfortunate that Prescott didn’t stick with the right side of the formation as Randall Cobb was wide open and likely would have scored on his square in route. Fitting that the game essentially was over on a pass to Elliott.

Meanwhile, the Dallas defense was equally ugly with stopping the run in the second half. After containing the Vikings in the first half with only 43 yards on twelve rushing attempts, the defense was not able to counter the adjustments the Vikings made at half time.

For the game, Minnesota would finish with 153 yards rushing on 36 attempts. But it was one play that was symbolic for the way Dallas played in the second half.

With 5:22 left in the fourth quarter, Minnesota had the ball facing a second and ten from midfield. Running back Dalvin Cook ran a draw to the right running through a defensive lineman Kerry Hyder arm tackle four yards deep in the backfield, another arm tackle by Antwaun Woods and powered through a linebacker Sean Lee tackle two yards deep in the backfield.

Cook was then met by linebacker Jaylon Smith one yard passed the line of scrimmage who was able to slow him a bit but it was only when Leighton Vander Esch joined the scrum was Cook brought down for a three yard gain. Five Cowboys defenders touched Cook before he was finally tackled.

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This play certainly showed that Minnesota wanted it more than the Cowboys. Dallas will need to quickly forget this effort as they travel to Detroit next week to take on the Lions.

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