Minnesota Vikings: 10 Observations From the Dallas Cowboys Game
This week was a must win for the Vikings, who were reeling at 1-3 following a lose to the New York Jets. The team on the other side of the ball was in the exact same boat after the Dallas Cowboys lost a close one against the Tennessee Titans. This game was a very exciting back and forth contest that didn't disappoint the hype.
Here are 10 observations from the big game.
10) The Cowboys Gave This One Away
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The Cowboys out gained the Vikings 314 yards to 188. They held the best running back in the league to under 75 yards and 3.0 yards per carry average, which is well under his season average of 5.5 yards per carry. They kept Randy Moss out of the end zone and mostly held the Minnesota pass rush in check.
All in all, they probably should have won this game, but they continued to be the least disciplined team in football and had 11 penalties for 91 yards. Most of those penalties came in the form of drive killing holds and one huge offensive pass interference that negated a Miles Austin touchdown.
This was one of those games that the Vikings didn't so much win as the Cowboys lost.
9) That Final Play Was Hilarious
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I don't know what it is about last ditch multiple lateral plays that make me laugh, but they always do. I especially loved when Dez Bryant basically threw two guys off of him and then tossed the ball backwards.
I will admit that, for a second there, I thought Romo was going to score. Had that happened, I probably would have broken my TV, but that play was entertaining nonetheless.
8) Chad Greenway Continues To Play at a Pro Bowl Level
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Greenway is a tackling machine and is all over the field averaging right at 10 tackles a game. He doesn't often make too many huge plays, but he never makes a bad play. If you watch this guy play, you will see what I'm talking about; it seems as if he's in on every single play during the course of the game.
His dominant play has made him the best linebacker on this team, which used to go to E.J. Henderson. If he doesn't make the Pro Bowl, it will be a huge snub.
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7) Lito Sheppard Is In Trouble
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I said earlier that I expected Roy Williams to get into the end zone at least once. He did me one better and got past Sheppard twice for scores. Not only did Lito give up those two TDs, but Dez Bryant also got past him for the third touchdown.
On the Bryant touchdown, he was actually in a very good position, and Byrant just made a great catch, but in the other two plays, he was completely out of position. Now that Cedric Griffin is down for the rest of the year, Sheppard must step up and play like the veteran he is. Giving one touchdown is acceptable, but you just can't give up three in one game.
6) E.J. Henderson Is Still the Leader of This Defense
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Greenway may be outplaying the veteran Henderson of late, but that doesn't mean Henderson has lost his leadership position. Before today, E.J. had two interceptions in his entire career, but today when he needed to step up and help save this season, he had two huge picks. This guy has been manning the middle for this team since the early 2000s and he knows what it takes to win.
His play today was that of a veteran that knew if the Vikings didn't win today, they could probably kiss the playoffs goodbye, and he delivered the game they needed and then some.
5) 22-25 Carries Is About Perfect For AD
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Peterson was held to a season low in yards today, but the Vikings stuck with him throughout the game, which was key to the win. Even when he doesn't break through with huge gains, Peterson forces teams to put eight or nine guys in the box, opening up the field for his teammates to catch the ball. The team didn't get to take as much advantage of this as they wanted because Favre was under duress all day, but if they continue to get him carries, they will continue to win games.
4) Antoine Winfield is the Best Open Field Tackler in the NFL
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The Cowboys tried to run lots of screens and outside runs to try and slow down the Vikings pass rush. Unfortunately for them, they decided to run a lot of these plays to Winfield's side.
Until recently, Winfield has been the most underappreciated corner in the league, but has finally got some recognition and made it back to back Pro Bowls. The thing he does the best is make big tackles, often behind the line of scrimmage. It seemed like every time the boys tried to run to his side, he dragged the guy down for a minimal gain, and this is something he always does.
Winfield simply never misses a tackle, and that's a big reason why he's one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
3) Randy Moss Is Almost There
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Moss got held to only 55 yards on five catches, but a lot of that came down to the pressure Dallas was getting on Favre. He had one chance to make a big play and just barely missed pulling down what would of been a huge touchdown, but his presence was felt when he used his skills as decoy to get Greg Camarillo open in the end zone.
Moss looked even more comfortable in the offense this week than last week, and with the Packers up next on the schedule, I fully expect him to continue to improve and make a few big plays down field next week, especially if the pass-rushing Clay Matthews is out of the game.
2) Favre Is Back To Being a Gun-Manager
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Last year, when the Vikings got off to a great start, it was because they relied on the running game and defense and Favre did a great job of managing the game with efficiency. Today it finally seemed like Favre got back to doing that and only threw 19 passes, completing 14, with one touchdown and no interceptions. There was only one play that Favre really tried to go deep, and it was a great throw that just slipped through Moss's hands.
If he can continue to play within the offense, not force things, and rest his elbow a little, the Vikes should continue to win games.
1) The Vikings Will Make the Playoffs
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Last week, I said the Vikings needed to go 3-1 through this four game stretch and while they still have two tough games ahead they got a huge win today. If Favre and Co. can continue to play efficiently and not turn the ball over, they have a great shot at going to the play-offs.
It only helps that every other NFC North team lost today. Up next week is the Packers at Green Bay, which is never an easy game. Look for a good old fashioned Norse division struggle that could go either way.
Check back at mid-week when I give my 10 key match-ups to that game.
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