Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL Week 8 SNF Betting Odds, Picks, and Preview

Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL Week 8 Sunday Night Football Betting Odds, Picks, and Preview

This week’s Sunday Night Football matchup features two teams with postseason aspirations in the NFC. The Dallas Cowboys are the only team with a perfect record against the spread (ATS) through the first seven weeks. They’ll look to extend that impressive start on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The NFL betting odds aren’t making it easy for Dallas, listing them as short road favorites ahead of this primetime showdown.

Vikings vs. Cowboys Week 8 NFL Date, Time, Where to Watch, and Full Betting Odds

Minnesota Vikings (3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-1 SU, 6-0 ATS)

Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021Start Time: 8:20 PM ESTLocation: U.S. Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, MNTV Coverage: NBC

Vikings vs. Cowboys - SNF Odds

Sunday Night Football Injury Report

Dallas Cowboys Preview

Interestingly enough, both teams in this SNF NFL betting matchup enter off of a bye week. The Cowboys are certainly hoping that the week off won’t take away from the freight train of momentum that they had put together. After dropping their season-opener in narrow fashion, Dallas rattled off five consecutive wins. They enter Week 8 with a stranglehold on the lackluster NFC East Division. Dak Prescott is not only the favorite to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, but he might also garner some consideration in the MVP race. He was phenomenal in a hard-fought overtime win over the New England Patriots two weeks ago. Prescott finished with nearly 450 yards passing and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to CeeDee Lamb in the extra period.

Lamb stepped up in a big way against New England, and he needed to. The Cowboys are hoping that the bye week will prove beneficial to injured receiver, Amari Cooper. Of course, running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have been one of the best backfields in the league thus far. Dallas’ offensive game plan figures to lean heavily on them once again this week against a poor Vikings run defense. Another Cowboy drawing consideration for awards is rookie DB, Trevon Diggs. He had yet another interception against the Patriots and has been a key piece of a defense that has rebounded nicely after a horrendous 2020 season.

Minnesota Vikings Preview

After dropping each of their first two games to begin the year, the Vikings also hit their Week 7 bye with some momentum. An overtime road win over the Carolina Panthers two weeks ago marked the team’s third victory in its last four games. Minnesota has had a flair for the dramatic with their most recent two wins. Greg Joseph nailed a game-winning field goal to down the Detroit Lions before overtime was required for the Vikings to beat Carolina. Despite the extended game, Minnesota thoroughly dominated the Panthers. Quarterback Kirk Cousins continued his strong start with over 370 yards through the air and a trio of touchdown strikes. It was also good to see Dalvin Cook explode on the ground for one of his best games of the season to date.

One of the keys for the Vikings offensively in this SNF NFL betting contest will be blocking upfront. The offensive line has given up 1.5 sacks per game so far this season, tied for the fight-fewest in football. Assuming Cousins has ample time to make reads and find receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, Minnesota should be able to keep pace with the Cowboys on the scoreboard. Defensively, the Vikings’ young secondary has a tough task ahead in trying to slow down the bevy of Cowboys offensive weapons. That said, containing Dallas’ backfield might be the tougher challenge for this unit. While Minnesota ranks third in adjusted defensive efficiency against the pass, they are just 24th against the run.

Cowboys vs. Vikings Betting Odds and Line Movement

The following table displays the best Cowboys vs Vikings NFL betting odds and lines available in the market.

Vikings vs. Cowboys - SNF Odds

Both the side and total for this Sunday Night Football matchup have shifted from the original opening numbers. The Vikings have actually seen the point spread move in their favor. The number has come down to favoring Dallas at -1.5 after opening at -2.5. The bigger move has come on the total which has soared up to 55 after opening at 51.5.

The Cowboys are perhaps the most publicly-backed team when it comes to NFL betting tickets on a weekly basis. This Sunday night affair is no different. Dallas has garnered 80% of ATS bets and also enjoys a 65% majority on the moneyline. Despite these discrepancies, recent history in this series heavily favors the Vikings. Minnesota has covered in five of the last six matchups. They have also won seven of their last eight contests against the Cowboys as the home team.

Vikings vs. Cowboys SNF Betting Picks and Prediction

It’s difficult for any team to be perfect ATS for half of a season, especially a public outfit like the Cowboys. Of course, one could say that Dallas didn’t deserve to cover the number against New England two weeks ago. Had the winning score been a field goal as opposed to a touchdown, Dallas’ perfect run ATS would have ended in Foxborough.

The line is shorter for this Sunday night game than it was against the Patriots. However, the Vikings do feel like the preferred side here. While Mike Zimmer’s defense is not quite as strong as we are used to from seasons gone by, they are firmly inside the top-10 when it comes to adjusted numbers. No defense can truly “shut down” the Cowboys’ loaded offense, but Kirk Cousins and Minnesota should be able to keep pace. The turnover battle could prove critical in this one. Whichever team’s defense manages to steal a possession or two will likely win the game. Lean towards backing the home dog and the over.

Vikings vs. Cowboys NFL Betting Picks: Vikings +1.5 (-105) and Over 55 (-105)