5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys – Week 11
By Chris Schad
Jefferson will have over 200 yards receiving
Vikings fans might still be in awe over Justin Jefferson’s game-saving catch in the fourth quarter of the win in Buffalo, but there’s a good chance his big numbers will continue when he goes up against the Dallas secondary.
In last week’s loss to the Packers, the Cowboys made rookie Christian Watson look like Randy Moss, catching four passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns. One of the key reasons was the absence of Anthony Brown, who was ruled out of Sunday’s game with a concussion. The other is that this is an easily burnable secondary.
Even if Brown was playing, he ranks ninth in the NFL with 415 yards allowed and 1.26 yards per coverage snap this season. Trevon Diggs is one of the most boom-or-bust defenders in the league, allowing 419 yards (8th among qualifying corners) and 1.21 yards per coverage snap despite ranking 22nd in Pro Football Focus’s coverage grades.
What’s even more appealing about this matchup is the Cowboys tackling issues. Safety Donovan Wilson ranks seventh among cornerbacks and safeties with 50 missed tackles this season, while Malik Hooker ranks 37th with 36 missed tackles. Brown’s 23.1 missed tackle percentage also ranks seventh among corners and safeties that have played in 50 percent of snaps, and Wilson ranks 16th at 18.9 percent.
Jefferson could be in for a big game on Sunday with the chance to get open and gain some yards after the catch.