Why Minnesota Vikings Have No Chance at Containing Dallas Cowboys in Week 9

The Minnesota Vikings have hit the midpoint of the season in a complete free fall, posting a 1-6 record in a year that may rival the team's worst showing in franchise history.

Both the 1984 and 2011 seasons resulted in a 3-13 record, the worst finish for the Vikings since the 16-game schedule was implemented. Sadly, the 2013 campaign may make a run at that display of futility.

A road game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 will only further contribute to what has been a difficult product to watch for fans of Minnesota. 

The Cowboys have only lost one game at home this season, a 51-48 shootout against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Week 5. The team ranks fourth in points per game with 28.8 and eighth in passing yards per game (261.3).

While the majority of media attention has been centered on the fate of the quarterback position for the Vikings, it will be the defense that must attempt to slow down a high-powered Dallas offense that serves as the crux of this matchup.

Given the team's performance in a 44-31 loss last week against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings have no chance. 

The Packers managed to score on every possession of the game (minus the final kneel down) and possessed the football for 40:54 compared to 19:06 for Minnesota. Over the season, the Vikings rank last in opponents' time of possession at 35:08. 

The primary reason for the lopsided possession battle is that the Vikings defense simply cannot get off the field on third down. Green Bay converted on 72.2 percent of its third-down opportunities (13-of-18) and was perfect in two fourth-down chances to further extend drives.

For the season, the Vikings are last in third-down defense with opponents converting 51 percent of plays, via Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

The banged-up Vikings defense will do its best to disrupt the rhythm of quarterback Tony Romo when Minnesota visits Arlington this Sunday, something few defenses have been able to do this year.

The 11-year veteran has put up impressive numbers, rivaling the best quarterbacks in the league not named Peyton. He has thrown for 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions, recording the fifth-best passer rating with 101.7.

Last week's performance by Aaron Rodgers was a blueprint to dice up the Vikings secondary, something Romo has been studying all week.

And while Rodgers has Jordy Nelson, Romo has the playmaking abilities of Dez Bryant, who ranks second in the NFL in receiving touchdowns with eight.

The uber-competitive receiver must be licking his chops for the opportunity to attack one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL. Minnesota ranks 29th in passing yards allowed per game (287.9) and 30th in points allowed per game (32.1).

The other serious concern for the Vikings this season has been the defensive line and any real pass rush to help the secondary. With only 14 sacks this season, Minnesota once again sits toward the bottom at 27th overall.

Even veteran Jared Allen has voiced his frustration with the play of his team, as he leads the club with 4.5 sacks. The defensive end could be seen venting to guard Charlie Johnson, appearing to say, "I've never played on a defense this bad in my life," via CBSSports.com:

After the Tuesday trade deadline, Allen confirmed the quote but added further clarification, via Ben Goessling of ESPN.com:

"

"When I made that comment, 'This is the worst defense I've ever been on,' it had nothing to do with the players, nothing to do with calls, nothing to do with any of that," Allen said. "We're not performing. It has everything to do with performance, and that was the worst defensive performance I'd ever been a part of."

"

However you spin it, the Vikings defense has looked awful this season, and the performance last week against the Packers was the worst.

There's little cause for someone to believe that the Vikings will drastically turn things around in Week 9, especially on the road against one of the top offenses in football.

The one glimmer of hope may rest in the fact that the Cowboys defense has been similarly poor, allowing the most passing yards with an average of 315.4. But that also brings us full circle back to the quarterback position.

Christian Ponder, the rumored quarterback to start for the Vikings, threw for 145 yards against the Packers and has an average of 209 passing yards in four games.

Something tells me the Cowboys will be just fine.

Even if the Vikings can put up over 30 points for the fourth time this season, the defense will again be exposed as the weakest link of the 2013 season. 

Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.

Matthew Stensrud is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter and Google+.

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