Brett's Cowboys Corner

Good teams need to win at home. The Vikings came into AT&T Stadium already eliminated from the playoffs led by a quarterback who has only thrown for more than 200 yards in a game once.

Now for the second time this season, Dallas has allowed an opposing team to have their best game all season against them. J.J. McCarthy posted career-high numbers with 250 yards and two touchdown passes.

The problem? McCarthy was pressured on just 22.2% of his dropbacks, his 2nd-lowest pressure rate faced in a game this season. 

The Cowboys defense had more confusion in coverage, which you could see the frustration on the sideline from Brian Schottenheimer to defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Dallas utilized the 5-man front, which has worked for Dallas since the Quinnen Williams trade. On the first pass play, Donovan Wilson brought the pressure, forcing a quick throw that was batted at the line of scrimmage and ultimately falling into the arms of Quinnen Williams.

This led to a Javonte Williams TD on the other side, a quick 7-0.

Unfortunately, Eberflus did not build off that by continuing to bring the blitz. Only 6 blitzes for the game, including that opening turnover, which also counts for the only 6 pressures. The 4-man rush is not getting home.

In coverage, the Cowboys handled Justin Jefferson with just 2 catches for 22 yards. But it was Jalen Nailor having the big day, playing in the slot against DaRon Bland. Nailor had both touchdown grabs.

On the other side, the offense struggled to find rhythm with its plays. The Cowboys allowed 21 pressures as the Vikings brought in the highest blitzing defense in the league.

Minnesota got away playing with single high safety, asking for a deep ball to be thrown, but Dak couldn’t get the ball out fast enough with Nate Thomas and Terrence Steele acting as turnstiles toward the quarterback.

The offense got too conservative when they passed the 50-yard line, knowing they have a good kicker. But with two misses for Brandon Aubrey, he struggled for once, and Dallas didn’t know what to do.

To note, Dak was sacked on 3rd and short before both of Aubrey’s missed field goals. The initial contact came from Terrance Steele’s side both times.

The Vikings showed blitz every time, even if they only sent three- but it still confused Dallas. But the main focus for Minnesota was stopping George Pickens, specifically the slant route.

Holding Pickens to 3 catches clearly stunted the Cowboy offense. Even Ceedee Lamb with 6 catches, 111 yards, couldn’t break the mark.

In the end, the Dallas Cowboys kept settling for 3 points, which in the end still wouldn’t have gotten them the lead. Now with playoff hopes just about washed away, we will see how Dallas attacks the rest of the month.