Brett's Cowboys Corner

Cowboys Vikings. The history between these two franchises runs deep, from the original Hail Mary to Tony Dorsett’s 99-yard run. Randy Moss torching Dallas on Thanksgiving and Brett Farve’s lone playoff win against Dallas was in a Viking uniform in 2009.

Though the Vikings will be eliminated with a loss, and may be eliminated going into this game, depending on Detroit and Chicago, the Vikings are still trying to build confidence with their young QB, J.J. McCarthy.

The Cowboys are still fighting for the division race, as Philadelphia has been shaky these past few weeks. The Cowboys will control only what they can, as they try to finish the season strong.

How will Sunday Night Football go? Dak Prescott could heave the game-winning pass to Ceedee Lamb to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original Hail Mary. December 28th, 1975, Roger Staubach finds Drew Pearson to beat Minnesota 17-14 in the NFC Divisional round.

DALLAS	MINNESOTA
George Pickens: A lot of talk about his effort against Detroit. Regardless of what happened, here’s a chance to shut up Richard Sherman and others.	Aaron Jones: Always kills Dallas. Averages 122 rushing yards per game and two touchdowns against the Cowboys in three regular-season games and a postseason game.
Kenneth Murray: Continuing to get a lot of defensive snaps, it will be big for the LBers to get to Aaron Jones, Murray has struggled with speed.	Jordan Addison: Speed has killed the Dallas secondary. With a focus on Jefferson, Addison will have a chance to slip by.
Nate Thomas: After giving up 8 pressures against the Lions, Thomas will have to play again and this time redeem himself as left tackle.	Johnathan Allen: The Cowboys have been giving up pressures, the vet hasn’t made much noise this season. But here’s an opportunity.

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The Keys to Victory-

1 – Don’t Let “Nine” Do Anything.

J.J. McCarthy says he has an alter ego on the football field, fiery and fierce is how he describes it…Dubbing it as “Nine.” Whatever that means, McCarthy has been bottom of the league in completion percentage and has struggled with accuracy all season.

McCarthy has only thrown over 200 yards just once this season. Justin Jefferson has only recorded two games with more than 55 receiving yards with J.J. McCarthy as his starting quarterback. There have been struggles with the Viking offense with McCarthy as the starter.

This is not the week to figure it out.

2 – Figure Out Cornerback Play.

Building off that is the cornerback room. They absolutely got torched in Detroit. Shavon Revel had his welcome to the NFL moment, and Bland struggled as your starting slot corner.

With the uncertainty if Trevon Diggs will make his return. The Cowboys will be dealing with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The good news for Dallas’ defense is McCarthy has especially struggled against zone coverage. When facing it, he’s completed just 57.5% of his passes for 5.8 yards per attempt, the lowest and third-lowest ranks in the NFL.

The Cowboys defense has allowed 1,792 yards after the catch this season, the 3rd-most in the NFL. DaRon Bland has allowed 615 yards in coverage this season, the 4th-most in the NFL.

3 – Beat the Blitz.

 Dak Prescott has consistently done a good job of getting the ball out quickly against the blitz. But poor blocking upfront really showed last Thursday. The Cowboys will be running it back with the same offensive line, including Nathan Thomas at left tackle, who struggled the most against Detroit.

Per NGS, the Vikings blitz on 49.2% of defensive snaps, the most in 2025. Prescott has a 106.2 passer rating against the blitz and has thrown for 1,123 yards (third most in NFL) in 2025.

Dak will see the pressure again on Sunday Night. He will look for his supporting cast with Lamb and Pickens to get open quick and use YAC to beat the Vikings.

I fear we will let McCarthy channel his Michigan days against our defense. The Cowboys need to start fast and need a throttled win over the Vikings on SNF. McCarthy has one game over 200 yards passing…hopefully that stays the same.