Team Grades: Cowboys’ Defense Hangs On To Win Close Game Over Vikings

In the Minnesota Vikings first game without head coach Mike Zimmer on the sidelines since the Leslie Frazier era (if there is such a thing), the purple and gold could not pull out a win over the best team in the National Football League this season. “That’s what coach emphasizes to us – take away the ball and make a play on special teams that makes a difference”.

The Minnesota Vikings failed with a two-point conversion attempt with 25 seconds left as the Dallas Cowboys hung on for their 11th straight win. Like I told him, that’s not what’s important right now.

It was a hard fought win for the Cowboys. Not because Priefer didn’t look the part, a fit former Navy helicopter pilot with a take-charge personality, but because Zimmer’s steely gaze has become such a fixture in just three years with the Vikings (6-6) while a defensive-driven team has taken on some of his defiant attitude and mirrored his ability to overcome adversity.

What would have been better for the Vikings’ self belief going into the final four games than mauling an offense that averages 28.7 points per game? Vikings coach Mike Zimmer missed the game following emergency surgery to fix a detached retina. While the final drive highlighted Sam Bradford’s heroics, it was the defense, led by a relentless DeMarcus Lawrence and a lucky-for-no-penalty Cedric Thornton pass rush, that pressured Bradford into a frightful pass on the two-point conversion attempt. He then paused, shrugged and said, “So.” before trailing off.

“I don’t care”, he said.

“There’s a selfless nature to them that I think is really good, and it’s one of the best offensive lines I’ve ever been around”, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “I would be honored to do it”.

Thursday was an emotional day for the Vikings. “We all stand up and don’t want the ball caught up on us”.

With the Vikings leading 9-7 with 10:28 remaining, Thielen lost three yards on a return and then lost a fumble at the Vikings’ 8-yard line. “So I’m just trying to do my job”.

Bradford said the official rationalized the no-call by claiming the quarterback didn’t get hit in the face. I appreciate what Rick and coach Zimmer did giving me this opportunity to help our football team win tonight.

When it comes to postseason play Dallas will need to handle their mistakes better, and try to avoid penalties at all costs. On the other hand, Minnesota has trickled down the NFC North pecking order, which now sees the Detroit Lions in first place. “We’re just starting that process right now”.

The Vikings won the NFC North previous year, Zimmer’s second season as coach, and are trying to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2008-09.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – Rob Gronkowski’s season is likely over.

“We have grit in this organization and this team”, Greenway said. “It’s what we’re made of”.

Wherever Zimmer was watching this one, with his one good eye, he had to be proud of the effort, even if he was cursing the finish in Coach Zim’s one-of-a-kind way.

The lack of offense eventually caught up with the Vikings because the turnover differential the defense created in the early going was unsustainable, and teams have plenty of ways to scheme against a team with no running game and no pass protection.