Cowboys: 3 Players to Watch Against the Vikings
It’s Week 13 in the NFL, while most teams are clumped together in the standings, the Dallas Cowboys stand alone at 10-1. At this time last year, Tony Romo’s season ended and so did the Cowboys playoff hopes as they got throttled by Carolina on thanksgiving. What a difference a year can make as the Cowboys can clinch a playoff berth this week by beating the Vikings and a Tampa Bay or Washington loss.
A win in Minnesota won’t be easy although the Vikings have dropped 5 of their last 6 games after starting 5-0. Minnesota will be rocking as their Vikings will be hungry for a win. In order to spoil the Vikings primetime spotlight, the road warriors known as the Cowboys must have these three players play critical roles through 4 quarters.
Jeff Heath:
Heath will be playing many reps at safety with Jj Wilcox out. Thankfully Barry Church will be returning for his first game back since his broken forearm injury against the Eagles. The Vikings have many deep threats such as Stephon Diggs and newcomer Adam Thilen. I could see Diggs or Thilen have a good day against a Cowboys defense who was torched by the Redskins WR core. The combination of Church, Heath and Byron Jones must be in position to prevent the deep ball. I could see Byron Jones getting his first interception of his career on Thursday.
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The Cowboys offensive line:
The Cowboys O-line didn’t have a good showing on thanksgiving. Prescott had pressure on him and Zeke was quiet after the first drive. The Cowboys offensive line holds itself to the highest standard. A performance like they had against the Redskins would be considered good enough for many teams but this group is elite. The Cowboys offensive line this Thursday must be their elite self as they play two of the best pass rushers in the game — Sharrif Floyd and Everson Griffen. If the Vikings control Zeke they could have success. In the ten game win streak, Zeke hasn’t had less than 83 yards on the ground. Prescott has not had to win a game with his arm thus far.
Dez Bryant:
Bryant, after calling out Josh Norman will be hungry to have a big game. Dak missed many reads on thanksgiving to Bryant, one would have been a clear touchdown as Norman was torched. I believe Dak will keep his eye on Bryant a second longer during his progressions. When Bryant is targeted, he produces. I expect Trae Waynes from Michigan State to line up against Bryant. I believe Bryant will have the upper hand in this matchup.
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