Post by Danchat on Nov 20, 2020 22:27:45 GMT -6
With three consecutive division wins under their belt, the Vikings arrive at the easiest point of their schedule. Will they be able to take care of the Cowboys, or will this be a repeat of the trap game against Atlanta?
Line: Vikings -7
Injury Report
Cowboys
C Biadasz - Out
DE Gregory - Questionable
DE Lawrence - Questionable
Vikings
RG Cleveland - Out
CB Dantzler - Questionable
TE Smith Jr. - Questionable
FB Ham - COVID (?)
G Samia - COVID (?)
*My Thoughts*
This Cowboys offense should be better than it currently is. They've went in the tank with Dak Prescott's serious ankle injury. Andy Dalton has looked worse than usual in Dak's place, but hasn't played for a few weeks due to a consussion and COVID. Normally they would feed Zeke the ball, but he's been banged up and rather ineffective the whole year. He's averaged a mediocre 3.8 YPC, ranked as 53rd/66 HBs by PFF's metrics, and has been outplayed by backup Tony Pollard. They'll have to rely on their receiving weapons to win games instead. The combination of Cooper, Gallup, and Lamb is one of the best in the league, don't let the PFF grades devalue them. Cooper is a good #1 but not quite game-breaking, Gallup is a deep ball specialist who averages 16 yards a catch but is prone to have dry spells, and Lamb is an explosive athlete, but has not thrived since Dak's injury. Dalton Schultz has been a fine replacement for Blake Jarwin, as he's showed off some good receiving skills, but is not a good blocker.
Dallas' O-line was once a feared unit, but with Smith and Collins on the IR and Frederick retired, they're a mere shells of their past selves. Cameron Erving is their 3rd LT and has been an sieve no matter what position he's played. Connor Williams is having a career season, and might be turning a corner after being a supbar player his first two seasons. Joe Looney is a poor pass protector and not great as a run blocker. Zack Martin is the lone stud on the team, as he's been a world-beater as a run blocker. UDFA Terence Steele was 206th on my draft board and is currently ranking as the NFL's worst tackle. He's barely a prospect, let alone a starter.
Defensively, there's too much talent on this team to be so bad. DC Mike Nolan has done a truly horrific job managing this unit that's giving up the most points in the NFL. They have a quality pass rush duo in Lawrence and Smith; Lawrence has been a pressure generator, but has struggled to get sacks since 2018. Smith hadn't played since 2015, but looks great so far. Their DT position might be the worst in football, which is now on fumes after losing Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Trysten Hill. Woods, Crawford, and Gallimore have all graded near the bottom of the league. Lawrence is the only quality run stopper on the unit, which should have Dalvin licking his chops.
This LB unit is very good when healthy, but that's a huge if. Vander Esch had a sensational rookie year, but hasn't been the same since a neck injury. PFF has him as a good run defender, but very poor in coverage. Jaylon Smith is also having a bad year according to them, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since he's had a great career up to this point. Sean Lee, who's been injured more often than not, has only played 17 snaps. Joe Thomas has played in their place, and has been downright terrible.
Dallas' DBs have been struggling since losing Byron Jones in free agency. They spent a 2nd rounder on Trevon Diggs, but he's on the IR now. Chidobe Awuzie is their top CB who's finally healthy, but he's not going to shut down Thielen or Jefferson. Jourdan Lewis has struggled giving up catches, but hasn't given up many yards per catch. Nickel CB Anthony Brown is in the same boat as Lewis. FS Xavier Woods is probably the best player in this unit, who's been doing his best in coverage to keep this unit together. The Cowboys have failed to address the SS spot for a long time (no Jamal Adams, Earl Thomas), and have Donovan Wilson starting there now, a 6th rounder from the 2019 class. He's been better than Darian Thompson, but really struggles with tackling.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Cowboys 20
Dallas' defense should be improved coming off the bye week, but I have a hard time seeing them stop Cook and handle our weapons in the passing game. Their offense is also in a bad spot with little talent on their O-line, and a QB who isn't going to make up for its problems. I also think I've highly underestimated Zimmer's coaching abilities, as he's done a superb job the past three weeks. I trust him and Kubiak to outfox Dallas' incompetent staff that has reportedly lost the trust of the players.
Any thoughts?
Line: Vikings -7
Injury Report
Cowboys
C Biadasz - Out
DE Gregory - Questionable
DE Lawrence - Questionable
Vikings
RG Cleveland - Out
CB Dantzler - Questionable
TE Smith Jr. - Questionable
FB Ham - COVID (?)
G Samia - COVID (?)
*My Thoughts*
This Cowboys offense should be better than it currently is. They've went in the tank with Dak Prescott's serious ankle injury. Andy Dalton has looked worse than usual in Dak's place, but hasn't played for a few weeks due to a consussion and COVID. Normally they would feed Zeke the ball, but he's been banged up and rather ineffective the whole year. He's averaged a mediocre 3.8 YPC, ranked as 53rd/66 HBs by PFF's metrics, and has been outplayed by backup Tony Pollard. They'll have to rely on their receiving weapons to win games instead. The combination of Cooper, Gallup, and Lamb is one of the best in the league, don't let the PFF grades devalue them. Cooper is a good #1 but not quite game-breaking, Gallup is a deep ball specialist who averages 16 yards a catch but is prone to have dry spells, and Lamb is an explosive athlete, but has not thrived since Dak's injury. Dalton Schultz has been a fine replacement for Blake Jarwin, as he's showed off some good receiving skills, but is not a good blocker.
Dallas' O-line was once a feared unit, but with Smith and Collins on the IR and Frederick retired, they're a mere shells of their past selves. Cameron Erving is their 3rd LT and has been an sieve no matter what position he's played. Connor Williams is having a career season, and might be turning a corner after being a supbar player his first two seasons. Joe Looney is a poor pass protector and not great as a run blocker. Zack Martin is the lone stud on the team, as he's been a world-beater as a run blocker. UDFA Terence Steele was 206th on my draft board and is currently ranking as the NFL's worst tackle. He's barely a prospect, let alone a starter.
Defensively, there's too much talent on this team to be so bad. DC Mike Nolan has done a truly horrific job managing this unit that's giving up the most points in the NFL. They have a quality pass rush duo in Lawrence and Smith; Lawrence has been a pressure generator, but has struggled to get sacks since 2018. Smith hadn't played since 2015, but looks great so far. Their DT position might be the worst in football, which is now on fumes after losing Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, and Trysten Hill. Woods, Crawford, and Gallimore have all graded near the bottom of the league. Lawrence is the only quality run stopper on the unit, which should have Dalvin licking his chops.
This LB unit is very good when healthy, but that's a huge if. Vander Esch had a sensational rookie year, but hasn't been the same since a neck injury. PFF has him as a good run defender, but very poor in coverage. Jaylon Smith is also having a bad year according to them, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since he's had a great career up to this point. Sean Lee, who's been injured more often than not, has only played 17 snaps. Joe Thomas has played in their place, and has been downright terrible.
Dallas' DBs have been struggling since losing Byron Jones in free agency. They spent a 2nd rounder on Trevon Diggs, but he's on the IR now. Chidobe Awuzie is their top CB who's finally healthy, but he's not going to shut down Thielen or Jefferson. Jourdan Lewis has struggled giving up catches, but hasn't given up many yards per catch. Nickel CB Anthony Brown is in the same boat as Lewis. FS Xavier Woods is probably the best player in this unit, who's been doing his best in coverage to keep this unit together. The Cowboys have failed to address the SS spot for a long time (no Jamal Adams, Earl Thomas), and have Donovan Wilson starting there now, a 6th rounder from the 2019 class. He's been better than Darian Thompson, but really struggles with tackling.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Cowboys 20
Dallas' defense should be improved coming off the bye week, but I have a hard time seeing them stop Cook and handle our weapons in the passing game. Their offense is also in a bad spot with little talent on their O-line, and a QB who isn't going to make up for its problems. I also think I've highly underestimated Zimmer's coaching abilities, as he's done a superb job the past three weeks. I trust him and Kubiak to outfox Dallas' incompetent staff that has reportedly lost the trust of the players.
Any thoughts?
That's THE BEST!
