How the Dallas Cowboys can win or lose to the Vikings

Some say compete; some say flop. How can the Dallas Cowboys do either?

Having a record of 2-7 isn’t the best feeling, especially when you planned on competing. That is the position the Dallas Cowboys are in right now. Things aren’t all that bad, though.

This Sunday, they are in Minnesota playing the 4-5 Vikings. Fans and analysts are unsure if the Cowboys should compete or not. Let’s dive into how Dallas can win or lose the game.

Getting the dub

This is the game of football. The game where anything can happen at any given time. The game where it is never over until that final whistle.

While the Dallas Cowboys own an atrocious record, they are only one and a half games out from leading the NFC East. Make the playoffs, and anything can happen. Now, how to win the game.

Quarterback Andy Dalton is on pace to start this weekend after exiting the Week 7 matchup with a concussion. While he didn’t play all that well before being injured that game, he played well in relief of quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 5.

Regardless, the Cowboys should lean on their running game. That is what opens up their offense to be as lethal as it can be. Continue rotating running backs Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott to keep the Vikings defense on their heels.

While the offensive line is still not playing as well as we wish, they have improved. The group only gave up 2.0 sacks in their last game, which is the lowest amount since Week 5.

The defense is coming together as players come back from injuries. They held opposing offenses to under 25 points in back-to-back games and are looking better than they have all season.

Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore is developing faster than we thought, and he can hold the gaps closed so the slippery running back Dalvin Cook doesn’t get through. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence can continue his dominance against the run and hold down any runs to his side.

By that point, the ball will be in quarterback Kirk Cousins’ hands. We all know how inconsistent he is as a quarterback, and that may mean a forced turnover for a returning Chidobe Awuzie.

No Dalvin means the pressure is on Cousins. I will take my chances with that all game. Look for Dallas to have someone shadow Cook throughout the game.

ALSO READ: 3 young players the Dallas Cowboys should find snaps for

Why try?

Even if Dallas does win and somehow make the playoffs, what will it mean for the team? A blowout loss in the Wild Card game? No thanks.

It’s time to prepare for next season. What better way to do that than to have the young guns take snaps and get a high draft pick?

We have seen four draft picks from the 2020 draft already make an impact. Trevon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Biadasz, and now Gallimore have come into their own.

Let’s continue this trend by continuing the snap increase for Gallimore while finding snaps for defensive end Bradlee Anae and defensive back Reggie Robinson II. Let’s see what the young players can do with more opportunities.

I’m not the only one calling for the Dallas Cowboys to give younger players snaps. Mitch Larson of The Landry Hat is on the same page. He even goes on to question the team’s history of handling their late draft picks.

"“It feels like every year Dallas selects a pass rusher on day three of the draft who oozes potential but needs time to develop … The problem is that these players rarely, if ever, get the playing time that they need to be able to grow.”"

If any player is hurting, let them rest some more and give snaps to someone else. Don’t risk any injuries or reaggravating an old injury.

By doing these things, the Dallas Cowboys will win, even if they lose. They strengthen their depth and prepare for their future.

Who knows? If the Cowboys play their youth, they may still somehow come away with a win. I mean, they did almost beat the now 9-0 Steelers.