5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys – Week 11
By Chris Schad
Cook will have three runs of 20 yards or more
When the Vikings were down by 17 early in the third quarter against the Bills, it seemed like the game was over. Vikings fans were probably gritting their teeth thinking about another failed opportunity when Dalvin Cook ripped off an 81-yard touchdown run to get back in the game.
The Vikings’ ground game didn’t see much success until that run, but it’s still a weapon that can take advantage of a lackluster Dallas defense.
The Cowboys’ run defense has been gashed this season, ranking 143.1 rushing yards per game – the fourth most in the NFL. It’s not like Dallas has faced a gauntlet of top offenses either, as they’ve played three of the four worst rushing offenses in the league.
The last two weeks have been especially dreadful as they allowed 240 rushing yards in a win over the Chicago Bears and 207 yards in last week’s loss to Green Bay. NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger shed some light on the problem, showing a defensive tackle opening a hole wide enough to roll Gilbert Brown through on a long run by Aaron Jones in the third quarter.
There’s a good chance that some of those holes could appear in front of Cook on Sunday. If that happens, he’s a good bet for a long run with one of them going to the house.