Dallas Cowboys Vs Minnesota Vikings: Is This an Elimination Game for Both Teams?

This weekend the spotlight is on the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings.

Before the season started, these teams were considered Super Bowl contenders and now the loser of this game may not even make the playoffs.

The Cowboys have just one win, over Houston, and always seem to find a way to lose games. The have three losses to Washington, Chicago and Tennessee. Those losses can be attributed to sloppy play, turnovers and penalties.  The Cowboys now find themselves in a must-win situation and are treating every game like an elimination game.

“I think every game after this is elimination (as well). If you lose this game, the next game is even worse” DeMarcus Ware said.

The Vikings are in a similar situation heading into this marquee match-up.

The Vikings have just one victory on the season and have lost to the Saints, Dolphins and Jets. They have been surrounded with issues all season long. It started with injuries to key players like wide receiver Sidney Rice, then moved on to the trade for Randy Moss and, of course, there is No. 4.

Quarterback Brett Favre has been the center of attention all season. He looked rusty at the start, after missing camp. He is engulfed in a scandal and now has an elbow injury that may put him on the sidelines. The Vikings have to overcome these obstacles  and get a win against Dallas. Otherwise, they could miss the playoffs.

The NFL sports betting odds, posted by JustBet.com, have the Vikings as a 1.5 point favorite, which basically makes this game a toss-up.  The Cowboys have made correctable mistakes this year, but the Vikings can’t change the distractions brought on by Favre.

The elbow is the latest development and it almost seems like an excuse for the team's poor play or an impending Favre suspension.

The Cowboys are second in the league in total offense and will be able to move the ball against a tough Vikings defense. The key to this game for the Cowboys will be to keep pressure off Tony Romo and to get on the board early. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has not been the same dominating force that he has been  in the past and this will allow the Cowboys offense to move the ball.

Furthermore, the Cowboys are seeking revenge in this game, for a 34-3 playoff loss in last year's playoffs.

Linebacker Keith Brooking confronted Minnesota head coach Brad Childress on the sideline after the game and called a late scoring touchdown pass “disgusting and classless".  The Cowboys defense will remember that blowout when they take to the field this weekend.

Finally the Cowboys have a few trends in their favor.

The Cowboys are 6-2 against the spread (ATS) facing a team with a losing record and the Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0. The Cowboys win a close game on Sunday, but it is yet to be seen whether either team will make it to the playoffs.

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Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel Free to contact Matt at [e-mail]