Dallas Cowboys Squeak One Out in Minnesota 17-15

Fans at least got to see two good – or decent – teams on this past Thursday night.

In their recently usual fashion, the Cowboys started off slow as the world collectively waited for them to find their steam as they have typically done so often in the season. Dallas held off a late Vikings flurry to overcome a lackluster offensive performance and won 17-15.

Through the first month of the season, we weren’t convinced that this Dallas Cowboys team was for real.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was hurt just before the season, and the offense lost three starting tackles and 2015 National Football League rushing champ Adrian Peterson.

The wild, wacky and frustrating season was out again in full force for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

With Rhodes playing off, Dak Prescott checked out of a run and threw a quick strike to Bryant, who sprinted to the corner of the end zone. His 139 yards on 12 of 18 passing were both his fewest completed passes and fewest pass attempts on the season, and his lowest passing yardage total as well. The Cowboys drove to the Vikings 21 and ended up with Dan Bailey 39-yard field goal for a 17-9 lead. Eventually, Dallas recovered the onside kick to win the game, but this game was close because the Cowboys were full of mistakes! A holding call wiped away a 43-yard run by Elliott in the first half, and then Lucky Whitehead fumbled after picking up a first down on an end-around. Lucky Whitehead also coughed up the football, although it was on a running play. It forced a Dallas punt, and allowed Minnesota to get a TD to pull within two. Gaudy indeed: 2,974 yards, 19 touchdowns, two interceptions, completion percentage just shy of 68, five rushing touchdowns.

“Win for Zimm” was the rallying cry for the Vikings against the once-beaten Dallas Cowboys. This game changed that.

Rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have proven to be grind-it-out players who get the job done when it matters most. They also sacked Sam Bradford twice and Shaun Hill once in the game, while delivering nine quarterback hits. But the Vikings played a stellar defensive game that had the footprints of Zimmer all over the game plan. At the very least, there should have been a penalty on the Cowboys, giving the Vikings another shot at the two-point conversion.

Adam Thielen took the first one, was replaced by Cordarrelle Patterson and then returned to the role.

Asked how one goes about preparing to handle the head coaching role on such short notice, Priefer said: “I think you kind of, hopefully, have been preparing your whole career”.

Matt Barkley figures to start his second straight game when the Bears (2-9) host San Francisco (1-10) in a matchup between struggling teams on Sunday. He puts his heart and soul in this team, and we give it right back to him.

Jason Garrett saw the fumble on the punt and was given assurance by his coaching staff upstairs to challenge the play.

The losses have been gut punches and daggers since November 6 when Detroit tied the game as time expired and won 22-16 in overtime.

There’s something else a 12th straight win would do when the Cowboys return from an extended break with a visit to the New York Giants on December 11. If the Giants lose to Pittsburgh this week, Dallas could clinch the NFC East next week.