Statschecker: Vikings At Cowboys: 5 Things To Consider
Fans of both the Vikings and Cowboys would like to believe their respective teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The reality is that both franchises are more likely going to end up as early postseason exits unless they hit their stride down the stretch. Their match-up on Sunday Night Football this week gives both teams a great chance to grab some valuable momentum.
The Cowboys are getting a great deal of credit for their home field advantage in this game. That’s the only logical explanation for them being 3.5-point favorites over a Vikings team that sits a half-game ahead of them in the NFC Standings.
Before you bet this game either way, it’s imperative that you check out our exclusive Statschecker Site devoted solely to this game. This piece will give you five interesting facts you can find there, but not visiting the site is a great way to cost yourself money this weekend. It’s the best tool on the web to find all the information you need from a betting perspective. Let’s dive into this week’s list with an interesting fact about games at AT&T Stadium.
1. Favorites are great in Dallas
Incredibly, the favored team has won the last nine games housed in Jerry Jones’ palatial stadium. That obviously bodes well for the Cowboys who typically enter their home games as the predicted winner.
That trend is somewhat backed up by the fact that Dallas is 3-1 at home this season. Give the Cowboys a healthy amount of respect for their home field advantage, but don’t go crazy with the idea. They’re not perfect at home.
2. The Vikings struggle as underdogs
Two games isn’t a terrific sample size, but it should concern you that Minnesota is 0-2 as an underdog this year. This team is a classic example of a group that wins the games they should, but struggles mightily against superior opponents.
The question you have to answer is whether or not Dallas has a strong roster advantage in this game. Both teams are blessed with a ton of offensive star power. The defense that manages to force the turnovers could easily break the tie in this close match-up.
3. Dallas is strong against the spread
The Cowboys haven’t been the most consistent team in the NFL this year, but they are 5-3 against the spread. Given the reality that oddsmakers like to give Dallas extra credit because of the betting public’s interest in “America’s Team,” this statistic should really grab your attention.
The explosive nature of Dak Prescott’s offense also plays into things here. Dallas can score points against most defenses in a variety of ways. Mike Zimmer and the Vikings defense will do their best to keep this game in the 20s instead of the 30s.
4. The defensive numbers are nearly identical
The Vikings come into this game allowing 17.6 points per game. The Cowboys sport a nearly identical mark at 17.8. There’s very little to separate the two groups.
Coaching might give the edge to Minnesota though. Mike Zimmer is one of the foremost defensive minds in football. No one is going to say the same thing about Jason Garrett. Don’t be surprised if Zimmer cooks up some exotic looks to confound Prescott on Sunday night.
5. Bouncing back will be an issue for Minnesota
The Cowboys come into this game riding a two game winning streak. The Vikings, in sharp contrast, come in still licking their wounds after a disappointing loss to the Chiefs at the buzzer.
That’s likely led to a difficult week of practice for Minnesota. That might backfire on Zimmer and his staff, or it could cause them to come out flying on Sunday Night Football. Don’t discount the emotional possibilities when you’re making your final wager.
The Vikings are the play
Dallas is difficult to beat at home, but Dalvin Cook is going to be the key to this game. The Cowboys are going to really struggle to contain him. Look for him to find the end zone at least once, and maybe multiple times in this one.
As such, backing the Vikings plus the points is an easy call. If you want to get adventurous, splash some cash on the Money Line as well. There’s a strong chance that Minnesota can walk into Dallas and emerge victorious. That’s obviously a slightly riskier wager than taking the 3.5-points, but we like the bet just as much.
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