Dallas Cowboys showed their potential against Minnesota Vikings

DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys gave the group who was tied for one of the best report within the league a beatdown in their personal constructing on Sunday. 

Not many may have seen it coming, particularly after how the earlier week had gone for each groups. The Vikings had probably the greatest wins of the NFL season with a number of rallies for an extra time victory at Buffalo, whereas the Cowboys had been contemporary off a collapse in Green Bay.

This recreation was going to indicate us who the Cowboys had been. Would they compete and combat, proving final week was an aberration? Or would they wilt with the problem in entrance of them?

Cowboys Nation needed to be happy with how their group responded.

A 40-3 blowout by the Cowboys showed the resiliency and potential that they’ve beneath Mike McCarthy.

Here’s what we realized concerning the Cowboys within the Week 11 win over the Minnesota Vikings:

This was Prescott’s fourth week again after lacking 5 video games earlier this season and he’s starting to appear like his previous self once more. The veteran sign caller performed an immaculate recreation finishing 88% of his passes and all of his makes an attempt had been proper on the cash. 

Prescott’s prettiest throw got here through a 68-yard landing to Tony Pollard who was streaking down the precise sideline. The play got here on third down, the place it’s usually steered that Prescott struggles, when he lofted an ideal cross to Pollard, who by no means broke stride. 

However, one of the best throw from Prescott got here close to the top of the primary half. Prescott rolled proper, and in some way discovered broad receiver CeeDee Lamb tip-toeing alongside the sideline for the 27-yard completion. It was an ideal throw that resulted in a further three factors. If Prescott was a hair off, the cross isn’t full and Brett Maher doesn’t get a shot at his 60-yard FG.

The offense for the Cowboys can be beginning to hit their stride with Prescott again, humorous how that occurs.

If the primary 4 video games had been his preseason, Prescott seemed to be in mid-season type against the Vikings.

In Week 10, Parsons spent an excessive amount of time on the second degree as a linebacker and the protection wasn’t the identical. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn wasn’t going to make the identical mistake this week, placing Parsons again close to the road of scrimmage for many of his snaps. It took simply three performs to see the distinction that Parsons makes as a cross rusher.

Parsons’ strip sack of Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was an indication of issues to return for the Cowboys’ protection. Dallas completed with seven sacks on the sport – a season-high – two of which had been by Parsons.

When Parsons is lined up on the defensive position, he creates havoc, not just for him, however the remainder of the protection. The Cowboys lead the league in sacks, and so they had their greatest recreation against the Vikings. 

It’s no shock that it occurred with Parsons coming off the sting.

Brett Maher stays underrated

The Cowboys proceed to show to their kicker to make huge kicks, and Maher continues to reward their religion in him. In Week 11, the veteran kicker made all 4 of his makes an attempt, which included two 50-yard kicks (50, 53 yards), and a 60-yard subject objective that he needed to make twice! 

By drilling the 60-yard try, Maher prolonged his NFL report of being excellent from further lengthy vary.

Maker has been cash all yr as probably the greatest kickers within the league, and the Cowboys really feel snug asking him to make lengthy kicks. That belief resulted in factors yesterday that helped swing the momentum in the direction of Dallas at halftime.

The Cowboys have probably the greatest working backs within the league, however he’s not the starter, and it’s not Ezekiel Elliott. That’s to not downplay Elliott’s expertise, he’s nonetheless an excellent RB in his personal proper, and he nonetheless performs an essential function for the Cowboys’ offense.

However, Pollard is extra than simply Elliott’s backup. Pollard is a change of tempo RB, with ridiculous velocity, but additionally has the facility to interrupt tackles. Pollard averages 5.9 yards per carry, tops amongst RBs with no less than 75 carries this season.

Against the Vikings, Pollard broke out his elite receiving expertise as effectively. The two receiving touchdowns had been a results of Pollard’s means to run away from defenders. The Cowboys don’t have a WR with recreation breaking velocity, however Pollard definitely has the jets to be a menace at any time when he touches the ball.

Pollard is greater than only a backup RB for the Cowboys; he’s their game-breaker and he can stake a declare to being one of the best ability place offensive participant in Dallas at the moment. He won’t be talked about as an MVP candidate, however you can make the case that Tony Pollard needs to be within the dialog.

Do you assume the Cowboys have turned themselves into one of many NFC’s greatest? Share your ideas with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.