The Landry Hat
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: James Cook #28 of the Buffalo Bills runs past a Minnesota Vikings defender during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: James Cook #28 of the Buffalo Bills runs past a Minnesota Vikings defender during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) /

What We’ve Seen and Possible Defensive Gameplan Against Dallas

Opponents Points Per Game: 20.9 points

Opponents Passing Yards Per Game: 281.9 yards

Opponents Rushing Yards Per Game: 118.3 yards

Opponents Total Yards Per Game: 381.2 yards

Opponents Third Down Conversion Percentage: 36.8%

Opponents Red Zone Conversion Percentage: 72%

While this Vikings defense has a lot of names that pop out on paper, they’ve been very hit-or-miss this season. Outside of Smith and Hunter, they have been vulnerable against the run and through the air depending on how teams have decided to attack them. One thing is for sure though, they have a problem against mobile quarterbacks as they tend to lose containment.

With Smith dealing with a knee injury and their best run-stopper dealing with a calf injury, they should expect to see the Cowboys come out and try to control the clock and run the football.

Ezekiel Elliott should be returning this week so the Cowboys’ one-two punch out of the backfield will be the focus of the Vikings.

Just like Dallas, Minnesota will want to make their opponent one-dimensional in order to let their two star pass rushers pin their ears back and attack the quarterback. Whoever is able to control the trenches in this game will ultimately pick up the win.

The Vikings’ defense is also susceptible against quick receivers especially ones matched up on Peterson who had two interceptions last week but has clearly lost a step. Look for the Cowboys to attack him and the middle of the field with Dalton Schultz to keep this Vikings defense from just settling in and waiting for the run.

You can be sure the Cowboys went back and watched the game tape from the Bills and Vikings game last week and will take some of those plays to attack this defense. Hopefully, we get more of Dak Prescott running the football because that was one of the most effective ways to keep that high-powered offense off the field and wear down the defense.

Home/Cowboys News