The Minnesota Vikings are trying to stay in the playoff race against the NFL-best Cowboys. Here are 5 wild predictions for this week 13 matchup.
The Minnesota Vikings let the top spot in the NFC North slip away from them on Thanksgiving Day to the Detroit Lions. With 5 games remaining, this does not mean their playoff hopes are over. A win over the Dallas Cowboys would go a long way to making the playoffs for the Vikes.
The Dallas Cowboys come into week 13 with the best record in the NFL at 10-1. Not only that, but their rookie running back has the most rush yards in the NFL. The Vikings would make a strong statement by winning on Thursday Night Football to end the Cowboys 10-game winning streak.
Although the Vikings have lost 5 out of their last 6 games, Minnesota will be backed by their home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium with the spotlight on them on Thursday Night Football.
This Thursday Night game could get very interesting very quickly. Here are my 5 wild predictions for the game between the Cowboys and the Vikings:
Cordarrelle Patterson returns a kick for TD
It’s not new news to anyone, Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the best special teams players in the NFL, if not the best. Patterson will prove that once again on Thursday Night Football with a kickoff returned for a touchdown.
When the Vikings have a defensive or special teams touchdown, they are undefeated. While this doesn’t mean we will win the game, it will be a huge step.
Each and every day Patterson shows why the Vikings should resign him and give him a nice contract. Doesn’t he remind anyone else of a bigger Devin Hester? His combination of strength and speed is lethal.
Patterson will have a big game against the Cowboys, and it will all begin with a touchdown on special teams.
Dak Prescott will have 2 turnovers
Prescott is one of the biggest surprises in recent NFL history. He has great play-making ability, but the one thing that is most impressive about him is his ability to manage the game and not turn the ball over. That will not be the case against the Vikings ball-hawking defense.
The Vikings still have the best turnover ratio in the NFL, and that’s been one of the only bright spots of this season. Expect the Vikings to do what not many other teams have done: blitz Prescott.
With the pressure the Vikings will bring on Prescott, expect an interception – either by Harrison Smith or Xavier Rhodes – and a forced fumble by Minnesota-loved Danielle Hunter.
With a strong offense like the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings need turnovers; and turnovers they will get.
The Vikings rush for 100+ yards
Minnesota’s biggest issue this season has been their offensive line. Due to a weak offensive line, it’s been very hard to establish any type of run game. Finally, the Vikings will get some rushing production from Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon.
Due to many injuries on the offensive line, the Vikings have had so many different bodies on their front that success is about impossible to find.
For the first time in what feels like 100 years, the Vikings will not have an offensive lineman get injured against the Cowboys. Because of this, the stability up front will open up some rushing room for the Vikings.
A potent offense is extremely important to keep up with the powerful Cowboys, and it all starts with running the football. The Vikings will finally get that running game going.
Ezekiel Elliott runs for 200+ yards
Dallas Cowboys’ running back Ezekiel Elliott is leading the NFL in rushing yards and carries. The Cowboys depend on him to get the offense going. With all the usage of the young man, Jerry Jones said the ‘Boys will not cut his carries short.
Dallas will feed the rookie running back time and time again, and the Vikings have struggled against the run game this season. Expect some early success for Elliott and, as they keep feeding him, some huge runs break loose.
The Vikings will keep the passing game in check, which is normal for this defense, but the running game will let loose on the Vikings core.
Again, the game will come down to running the football and clock management. The Cowboys will have a huge step ahead with a huge day from Elliott.
Cowboys defeat Vikings 27-20
The Vikings will come out on Thursday with a head full of steam. Knowing they could really use a win, Minnesota will put up a great fight. But playing the best team in the NFL, whether at home or on the road, is not easy.
Ezekiel Elliott’s huge day will overshadow the Cowboys’ two turnovers and Patterson’s kick return for a touchdown. A game that is tight all along the way, Dallas will pull away with just under 5 minutes remaining. Again, Minnesota comes short on a game-tying drive.
Even though the Vikes lose this game, they show a lot of life and will give fans plenty of reason to believe the Vikings can win their last 4 games and make the playoffs.
Next: 5 Vikings keys to victory vs Dallas
I’m not always right, though, ask my girlfriend… Maybe this will be another time I’m wrong. I mean, Minnesota could really use a victory here for record purposes and momentum purposes. Let’s hope I’m wrong!
#SKOL