Dallas Cowboys should have success on ground versus Vikings

The quarterbacks and wide receivers will take up the majority of the headlines in the Dallas Cowboys versus Minnesota Vikings matchup. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense are rolling, while Kirk Cousins and the Vikings have put together impressive performances as well. Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen are just a few […]

Cole Patterson
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Dallas Cowboys
Nov 22, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The quarterbacks and wide receivers will take up the majority of the headlines in the Dallas Cowboys versus Minnesota Vikings matchup. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense are rolling, while Kirk Cousins and the Vikings have put together impressive performances as well.

Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen are just a few of the wideouts set to take the field on Sunday night. There is a good chance that this game can be high-scoring.

At running back, the Cowboys feature Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Star Dalvin Cook gets most of the work for the Vikings. There is no shortage of star power in this matchup.

COWBOYS SHOULD HAVE SUCCESS ON GROUND

Nov 22, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys would be wise to use its run game to its advantage on Sunday evening. Dak Prescott is coming off a calf strain injury, and you don't want to risk him re-aggravating it. Especially since the Cowboys should have plenty of success running the football.

Dallas, without Prescott, rushed for 180 yards against Minnesota last season. Elliott ran for 103 yards on 21 carries, while Pollard added 60 yards and a score on just five carries. The Vikings really had no answer for the Cowboys' rushing attack.

Minnesota did make some changes on defense — such as signing defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency. That said, the Cowboys should still have its way on the ground.

The Vikings are below average in the NFL in run defense and allowed a monster performance from Joe Mixon this season.

Dallas has one of the premier one-two running back punches in football with Elliott and Pollard. The two can hurt defenses in so many ways. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has done a wonderful job of using both in positive ways within the game plan.

Running the football would take pressure off a less-than-100% Prescott while also keeping the football away from Cousins and the Vikings' passing attack. The Cowboys had success running against the Vikings before, and the same should occur on Sunday.

Featured image via Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

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