Dallas Cowboys Vs. Minnesota Vikings: Five Keys to Victory

The Cowboys and Vikings come into Week 6 with as much on the line as when they met in last season's divisional playoff, except this time the winner still has a shot to make the playoffs.

However the loser will need to start getting desperate at 1-4, really desperate.

Here are five keys to each team's success on Sunday. 

Dallas Cowboys — Keys to success

1) Stop the run: The Cowboys weren't able to contain Chris Johnson last week and this week they get Adrian Peterson. Peterson has just 126 yards combined in his last two games against the Cowboys. If the Cowboys want any chance of winning Sunday's game, they need to stop the run and for Favre to throw on his rusty elbow. 

2) Eliminate mistakes: The Cowboys need to keep their penalties and mistakes down. If the Cowboys can sustain drives and get the defense off the field fast then they can put themselves in a position to win this game. Last week the secondary and offensive line were the culprits in the mistake category and this week they'll need to play their best. 

3) Protect Tony Romo: The last time the Vikings played the Cowboys Romo was sacked six times and constantly chased around the field. Things have to be different this time if the Cowboys want to win. Romo has done a great job of racking up the passing yards and finding open receivers, if they can give him time he'll make the passes he needs to. 

4) Run in the second half: Jason Garrett has given up on the run in the second half of every game this season, yet the Cowboys have been not lost a game by more than a TD. The Cowboys need to keep the Vikings guessing instead of just being one dimensional and just dropping back to pass. It might save Romo's life if the Vikings come after him like they did last year.

5) Get a lead early: The Cowboys haven't scored first in any game this season, which means the Cowboys have been behind the eight ball early. The Cowboys have to get out in front fast, and make the Vikings play from behind. If they can do that, they can have a more balanced attack in the second half. 

Minnesota Vikings — Keys to success

1) Establish the run: The Vikings need to take the load off of Favre and Peterson is the man to do that. The Cowboys run defense has been shaky this season and the Texans and Titans took advantage of that. The Vikings need to do the same.

2) Take shots down the field to Moss: Randy Moss is 7-0 in his career vs. the Cowboys. Favre will need to test Jenkins and Newman by going deep to Moss, who overcame a slow start to finish strong on Monday night. If he can connect with Moss down the field it will take immense pressure off Favre nickel and dime-img his way down the field.  

3) Cover the Cowboys receivers: With Cedric Griffin out for Sunday's game, it'll make it hard for the Vikings to keep up their 6th ranked passing defense. Combine that with the Cowboys passing game and you could have a recipe for trouble. Miles Austin and Roy Williams are having good seasons and they could make this game difficult for the Vikings defense.

4) Keep the game close in the second half: The Vikings can't afford to put the game in Favre's hands. If they do it'll be a long day for the Vikings. The biggest reason they've lost is because Favre's had to play captain comeback and it hasn't worked. If can stay within a TD for most of the game they should be fine.  

5) Win the special teams' battle: The Vikings have a solid return game and the Cowboys kickoff coverage is shaky. If the Vikings can get a score or great field position because of their special teams, it will benefit them and make the game easier on both sides of the ball.