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The Dallas defense faced a tall order trying to stop Vikings running back Dalvin Cook and the NFL’s top rusher made his way 115 yards with Kirk Cousins also completing 73.3% of his passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. But the Cowboys used several big shots and recorded two fumble recoveries that both led to points – safety Donovan Wilson forcing the ball to lose both times – to keep their side.
Which in the end was enough, because on offense, running back Ezekiel Elliott almost matched his counterpart shot for shot. Elliott finished with 103 rushing yards, his first time at the top of the century this year, but he actually had a better carry yardage than Cook, 4.9-4.3.
While quarterback Andy Dalton, who was back behind center after missing two games, threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns, the Cowboys finished with 376 total yards of attack against 430 Minnesota and lost the possession time, 28:11 to 31:49.
But they won where it mattered most – on the scoreboard.
After nearly winning a takeaway when Cedrick Wilson forced a fumble in the Vikings’ first punt return of the day, the Cowboys had to wait a few more minutes for their first turnaround. DeMarcus Lawrence provided muscle on a Cousins sack with Donovan Wilson stripping the ball from the quarterback to place Dallas on the Minnesota 30-yard line.
Three games later, the Cowboys were in the end zone with Elliott taking the top honors with a 6-yard touchdown. Kicker Greg Zuerlein’s extra point was blocked, but the Cowboys were on the board, 6-0.
However, the Vikings’ possession was methodical, as the home side walked 75 yards in 12 games while eating 7:15 off the clock. They converted three-thirds of downs along the way, the last a third and a 1-yard line goal that saw Cook battling for the score and a 7-6 lead.
The Cowboys’ physical play continued in the second frame, as the team overcame a Dalton interception in Minnesota Territory with a tough defense and a Vikings penalty that nullified a potential fourth conversion on a false kick. clearance.
There would be no mistakes on Dallas’ next series, however. In fact, it turned into a CeeDee Lamb reel. The rookie receiver got things going with an 18-yard punt return, then converted a fourth and one with a 6-yard run around the left end. But he saved the best for last, pulling off a dramatic twist, falling into the end zone for the touchdown.
And Dallas was not over yet. Another thunderclap from Wilson forced a fumble as Jaylon Smith returned 21 yards to the Minnesota 48-yard line with 49 seconds left. The Cowboys worked up to the Vikings’ 1 on a 32-yard drive to Amari Cooper, which allowed Zuerlein to score a field goal and a 16-7 lead to Dallas at the break.
Sadly, the good vibes of the end of the first half didn’t carry over into the third quarter as Minnesota played 30 games against all six of the Cowboys, retaining possession for 11:54 of the 15-minute frame.
The Vikings used their first possession of the quarterback to parade the field in nine games. Wideout Adam Thielen did the damage, clearing for a big 51-yard gain, then heading the player with a one-handed touchdown in the back right corner of the end zone.
This was followed by Minnesota taking over on their own 19-yard line in their next series and using 12 plays to go the distance. Kirk Cousins’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Thielen on the opening play of the fourth quarter turned a nine-point advantage for the Cowboys into a five-point deficit, 21-16.
But just as the Cowboys looked like they were done, the team found some life using ground play. Elliott ran the ball three times in a row for 24 yards before Tony Pollard stepped in and broke away for a 42-yard dash to the end zone, the team’s longest run of the season. With an option that saw Elliott throw the ball to Lamb, who ran to the pylon for the two-point conversion, Dallas was back ahead with 24-21.
It didn’t last long in the back and forth, as Minnesota came back with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Justin Jefferson. But as time passed, the Cowboys did what they had to do. Taking over on his own 39-yard line with 4:00 left, Dalton orchestrated an 11-play, 61-yard practice to pay for the dirt, with the game winner coming on a perfectly crafted play that shattered tight end Dalton Schultz wide open for the Score of 2 yards.
With their third win of the year, the Cowboys remained in the race for the NFC East title, and now have a chance to further improve their position with a showdown against rival Washington in the traditional Thanksgiving game on Thursday.
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