The Hail Mary in 1975. Tony Dorsett’s 99-yard run in 1983. The Herschel Walker trade in 1989. The 1996 playoff loss 40-15.
And now, in the rich history of the Dallas Cowboys demoralizing the Minnesota Vikings, we present nearly clean Sunday in Minneapolis when “America’s Team” made their 8-1 opponent look like a high school team. On a day when the Cowboys could have beaten any team in the NFL, they led by 34 points after just 36 minutes to cruise to a convincing 40-3 victory.
The 37-point lead is the largest road win in Cowboys history. Thanksgiving dinner appetizer is served.
Dallas Cowboys: Nothing went wrong
10. Boys vs. Minn…exotic – It was one of those days when – unexpectedly – everything goes well. Both Cowboys dominated the line of scrimmage, pressured Kirk Cousins defensively (seven sacks, most since 2008), and gave Dak Prescott (22 of 25) the comfort of a rocking chair in your pocket. Apparently the Vikings hadn’t seen Tony Pollard in the film yet. Brett Maher hit two 60-yard field goals. CeeDee Lamb hit a toe touch that would have made Justin Jefferson blush. Micah Parsons was everywhere. Noah Brown repeated Dez Bryant’s 2015 Green Bay “catch-non-catch” but was actually awarded a catch. Nothing went wrong.
9. Every Sunday whatever — As good as they were on Sunday, it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys themselves giving a 14-point fourth quarter lead a week ago to a 4-7 Packers team that hasn’t played a game since Oct. 2 and the winner is .
The Minnesota Vikings were overrated
8. Is eight enough? – In hindsight, we should have predicted that. The cowboys were in despair as they had just suffered a bitter defeat. Disillusioned, the Vikings arrived with a lucky victory. Minnesota was indeed an “overrated” 8-1 team. It wasn’t just the luck of seven straight single-point victories, but how the Vikings won. They beat the Saints in London when New Orleans’ field goal was doubled on the final play. They beat the Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa. They beat Washington with help from a 15-yard special teams penalty on the final play. And a week ago, they beat the Bills after a missed snap by Josh Allen. His record was deceptive, his performance revealing.
7. First things first – After scoring on their first two drives, the Cowboys led 10-3 after the first quarter. No surprise. That brought them the best point differential in the NFL at +38 after the first quarter. They have their weaknesses, but speed isn’t one of them.
Vikings: Presumably ill-prepared for Tony Pollard
6. Shhh, it’s Pollard – We know Zeke Elliott is the two-time rushing champion with 10,000 combined yards, but how can a defense be so unprepared for Pollard’s defense? Note to Vikings: It’s fast. And it can take. The “backup” running back was often in space against a linebacker, or sometimes even outright exposed. In the second quarter, he caught a pass from Prescott at 35 and ran untouched for a touchdown. His total damage: Six catches for 109 yards and another 80 rushing yards, with touchdowns 30 and 68. Elliott also ran for two runs, but you get the feeling Minnesota is still trying to identify the plaque that gave him the whole day of driving away.
5. Good vibes – While Lambeau Field always brings out the worst in the Cowboys, US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is pretty friendly. Last year, Cooper Rush filled in for an injured Prescott and secured an unlikely Halloween win. And now Rush has finished one more game, this time replacing Dak in a pre-Thanksgiving blowout. Prescott, of course, takes credit for the “win,” the first road win of the season and his first since Jan. 8 in Philadelphia.
Mike McCarthy: Trust in Brett Maher
4. To kick or not to kick? — When a play faltered at the Minnesota 35-yard line in the second quarter, Mike McCarthy didn’t hesitate and sent Kicker Maher in for a 53-yard try, which he completed easily. A week ago in Green Bay, Dallas’ first overtime possession also came at the 35-yard line. Then, however, McCarthy decided against a 53-yard attempt and opted for a 4 and 3 attempt. Moral of the story: Trust Maher at 53. And, by the way, 60.
3. Vegas knows it – Eyebrows were raised throughout the NFL when the Wise Guys in Las Vegas held up the 6-3 Cowboys as 1.5 point favorites against the 8-1 Vikings. It was the first time since 1976 that a team rated 8–1 or better (and playing their own starting quarterback) was considered an underdog at home. Apparently, Vegas knew about it. As usual.
Cowboys get greedy and rewarded
2. Is greed… good? – Thanks to Maher, who – twice – hit a 60-yard field goal, the strategy worked. This time. But the Cowboys got greedy late in the first half. They were already 20:3 up and got the kick-off for the second half. With only 31 seconds left and the ball on his 14, the wisest thing would have been to kneel. But after a few short throws, Prescott rolled down right and threw a perfect sideline pass to Lamb, who punted the ball and leaned in like any kid has tried in their backyard. The drive was productive. The balance between risk and return was still unbalanced.
1. Sunday sterling – The Cowboys bad player roster wouldn’t even fill Granny’s old thimble. (Well, Jayron Kearse mocked “Skol Vikings” overhead arm gesture after a sack leading 37-3, and that was a little tacky.) Ok, maybe a little greedy (see above). But he was as close to perfect as you can get, especially considering they were up against a team that was leading 4-0 at home. Dallas scored in his first seven attempts. The Vikings allowed seven sacks and scored just three points. It was the first time in six seasons that the Cowboys had not scored, lost possession or allowed a sack in the first half. At halftime it was 11:30pm. It looked like 43:3.
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