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Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings: Week 11 Know Thy Enemy

By Terence Watson

Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

What We’ve Seen and Possible Offensive Gameplan Against Dallas

Points Per Game: 25.1 points

Passing Yards Per Game: 265.4 yards

Rushing Yards Per Game: 107.0 yards

Total Yards Per Game: 355.8 yards

Third Down Conversion Percentage: 40.5%

Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 60%

This Minnesota Vikings offense might just be the most balanced team the Cowboys are going to face all season. Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins is playing some of the best football of his career thus far thanks to all of the weapons surrounding him. Running back Dalvin Cook has been picking up around 5 yards per carry this season. Cousins has the best receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson who catches everything thrown his way. Plus, he has Adam Thielen when Jefferson is doubled. They’ve now added tight end T.J. Hockenson who has quickly become one of Cousins’ favorite targets.

So how are they going to attack this tough Cowboys defense It’s simple after seeing what happened against the Packers last week — running the football.

Cook and Alexander Mattison are going to be very busy in this game. If they are able to continue picking up almost five yards per carry, then the Cowboys are in for a long night because that then opens up the Vikings’ play-action passing game. With Cousins not being the most athletic quarterback in the league, it’s an easy way to buy him and his receivers time to throw the ball downfield.

The Cowboys’ ability to stop the run will be crucial in this game in order to make this offense more one-dimensional. If they are able to do that then they will be able to have the same success they had last season against this Vikings team when the defense had held this explosive offense to just 278 total yards and converted just one third down and one fourth down all game.

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