Cowboys vs Vikings: 5 quick hits from the Week 8 matchup

Resiliency is what defines the 2021 Dallas Cowboys. This team has been tested over and over again, with the outcome remaining the same. It’s all about winning. When the Cowboys came back from their bye week, the question on everyone’s mind was, would quarterback Dak Prescott play Sunday in Minnesota?

The staff took every minute of practice to work through that decision. The final call was made public, and backup Cooper Rush was set to make his NFL debut. The gamble to resting their MVP candidate in favor of inexperience paid off, and the Cowboys beat the Vikings 20-16. Here are five “quick hit” observations from the team’s most recent victory.

Dallas Cowboys: #5. Rush to the Rescue

There should be no more questions about if the Cowboys have a capable backup quarterback. When Cooper Rush stepped on the field in U.S Bank Stadium, he was given a tall order to fulfill. To play a road game in Minnesota as your first start in the NFL is not easy.

However, with all the adversity he faced at the beginning of the game, Rush came out in the second half and played like a different quarterback. Immediately on the third quarter’s first drive, he hits receiver Cedrick Wilson in stride for a 73-yard touchdown.

The pass was thrown in the perfect spot. The defense presented a cover two look that kept the two safety’s deep and left the corner on Wilson one on one. In the first half, Rush was having trouble completing passes over the middle. Having a clean pocket in front of him, he showed confidence making a big-time NFL throw.

After his 325 yard passing performance, it begs whether head coach Mike McCarthy should sit Prescott another week and have Rush play against the Denver Broncos. Whatever his decision may be, at least he can make it knowing Rush is up to the task.