Week 8 Sunday Night Football brings the NFC showdown from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, so we have prepared the best Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings betting pick and odds along with the latest team news, stats, and betting trends.
According to BetDSI Sportsbook, the Cowboys are 3-point road underdogs at the moment, while the Vikings sit at -150 moneyline odds with a total of 52.5 points. These two NFC foes meet for the third straight season after splitting their previous two encounters. Last year, Dallas beat Minnesota 31-28 as a 7-point road dog.
The Cowboys could miss Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys (5-1; 6-0 ATS) are coming off a bye, but their QB status is still murky. Dak Prescott is struggling with a calf injury, and his eventual absence would be a massive kick in the teeth for the Cowboys’ prolific offense.
“It’s not fully my decision because there is a bigger picture. It’s more than just one game,” Prescott said. “I don’t want this to linger past this week.”
The Cowboys are riding a five-game winning streak, leading the NFL in points scored (34.2) and total yards gained per game (460.8). Prescott has been outstanding, tossing for 1,813 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions, while the Cowboys’ ground game is one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2021 season, no doubt.
Dallas is racking up 164.3 rushing yards per game (2nd in the league), and both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are doing a tremendous job. They’ve already combined for seven touchdowns and 1,107 yards from scrimmage.
The Vikings hope to stay on the winning path following a bye
The Minnesota Vikings (3-3; 3-3 ATS) enjoyed a bye in Week 7, as well as their next rivals did, and Mike Zimmer’s boys will search for their third consecutive victory Sunday against the Cowboys. They have some injury worries, too, as DT Michael Pierce will probably miss his third straight game, but LB Anthony Barr, RB Alexander Mattison, and WR Adam Thielen all practiced Thursday.
Over their previous two outings, the Vikings have outlasted Detroit as 10-point home favorites, 19-17, and Carolina as 2.5-point road underdogs, 34-28 in overtime. Back in Week 6, Minnesota nearly blew an 11-point lead, allowing the Panthers to force overtime, while they had a 16-6 fourth-quarter lead against the Lions in Week 5.
After missing the Lions game due to an injury, Dalvin Cook had 29 carries for 140 yards and a TD against the Panthers. Kirk Cousins has been solid thus far, throwing for 1,769 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only two interceptions, while Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen have combined for 935 receiving yards and eight scores. The Vikings are tallying 24.5 points per game (14th in the NFL) on 414.2 total yards (5th).
Trends:
Dallas:
- 4-1 ATS in the last five games against the NFC South
Minnesota:
- 1-4 ATS in the last five games played in October
Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings Pick
The Cowboys opened as 2.5-point favorites, but Dak Prescott’s questionable status caused a big swing. I lean the Vikings, though making a side bet seems ridiculous with Prescott’s appearance in limbo. Dak is a game-changer, and the Cowboys look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender with him under center.
Still, the Cowboys’ defense has some work to do, and the Vikings certainly possess enough firepower to take full advantage of Dallas’ leaky secondary. If they manage to slow down the Cowboys’ rushing, the Vikings will stand a chance.
Pick: Take Minnesota Vikings -3.0 at -110
The Total:
The Cowboys’ offensive line has been spectacular so far this season. The Vikings surrender 128.0 rushing yards per game (26th in the NFL), so the Cowboys should find a way to move the ball even if Dak Prescott hits the sideline.
On the other side, the Cowboys are yielding 86.2 rushing yards (5th) and 295.0 passing yards per game (28th). They will struggle to deal with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, while the Vikings have allowed just nine sacks through their first six games (tied-3rd in the league).
Pick: Go over 52.5 points at -110
