After a long day of trick-or-treating, cap off your Halloween with a matchup of NFC foes as the Dallas Cowboys (5-1) square off with the Minnesota Vikings (3-3). The Vikings will host this one at U.S. Bank Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8:20 pm ET.
The Cowboys have rattled off five straight victories after losing their Week 1 matchup to the Buccaneers by two points. Most recently, they took down the Patriots 35-29 in Week 6.
In the win, Dak Prescott threw for 445 yards and three touchdowns. His go-to receiver in that victory was CeeDee Lamb, who had nine receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vikings have won two in a row, but it hasn’t exactly been inspiring football. After losing to the Browns in Week 4, they beat the Lions by two points and the Panthers by six.
In their win over the Panthers, Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook led the rushing attack with 29 carries for 140 yards and another score.
The Vikings are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -156 to win while the Cowboys’ Moneyline sits at +132. The spread features Dallas +3 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 51.5.
More Odds
The Cowboys are currently the overwhelming favorite to win the NFC East at -1100. The Vikings have the second-best odds of winning the NFC North at +750.
In winning the Super Bowl, the Cowboys have the seventh-best odds of winning it all at +1200. The Vikings are +7000 to win Super Bowl LVI.
By The Numbers
The Cowboys are 5-1 on the season, but they are 6-0 against the spread. In their last 12 games against Minnesota, they are just 4-8.
The Vikings have struggled a bit against the spread. In fact, in their last seven home games, they are just 1-6. Against NFC opponents, they are 4-1 in their previous five games.
Prescott Iffy For Sunday Night
This one could come down to the availability of Dak Prescott. Currently questionable due to a calf strain, the Cowboys’ quarterback is a game-time decision.
Prescott has been phenomenal this season as he has thrown for 1,813 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just four interceptions.
If Prescott can’t go, it will probably be Cedrick Wilson (168 yards passing, two touchdowns) under center.
Ezekiel Elliott has led the way on the ground with 521 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 102 attempts. He also has 105 yards receiving with another score.
Prescott’s leading receivers have been CeeDee Lamb (497 yards, four touchdowns), Amari Cooper (373 yards, four touchdowns), and Dalton Schultz (359 yards, three touchdowns).
The Cowboys’ defense ranks 20th in points allowed at 24.3. They have been solid against the run, though, allowing just 86.2 yards per game to opposing rushers. That could be huge against Dalvin Cook.
Vikings Trying to Find Consistency
While Minnesota is second in the NFC North, they already find themselves 3.5 games back of the Green Bay Packers. If they can’t find consistency on both sides of the ball, their deficit could become insurmountable.
Kirk Cousins has been having a decent year under center thus far. In six games, he has thrown for 1,769 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
His favorite targets include Justin Jefferson (542 yards, three touchdowns), Adam Thielen (393 yards, five touchdowns), and K.J. Osborn (311 yards, two touchdowns.
Dalvin Cook has played in just four games on the ground, but he has 366 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 80 attempts. Alexander Mattison has rushed for 268 yards as his complement.
The Vikings rank 13th in scoring defense, allowing 22.8 points per game (16 at home).
Tentatively Taking The Cowboys
This may be one that you want to check in on closer to game time. If Prescott plays, it is hard to bet against the Cowboys with their playing. If not, this could be a good opportunity for the Vikings, playing at home, to pick up a big win.
Both teams enjoyed a bye week last week, so no one has the edge in that aspect.
Regardless, there is a lot of value right now with Dallas +132, so it may be a good gamble to take a shot on them.
