Vikings-Cowboys Preview

 

SCOUTING REPORT

Cowboys are going to force Jackson to beat them RB Adrian Peterson is coming off his 224-yard, three touchdown performance last week and looks like one of the more special rookies to come along in some time. Dallas is coming off a loss in a big game the Patriots at home last weekend and even though they did not perform as they would have liked, it is just one game and they need to come back this week and show they are still one of the best teams in the NFL. Plus, Minnesota is still very much alive in Wild Card discussions in the not so impressive NFC. Dallas' pass defense struggled last week, but should be able to regain some confidence this week versus Minnesota QB Tarvaris Jackson who struggled last week despite their road win in Chicago.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
MIN	8-8	365	311	5-3	3-5	3-3	6-6
DAL	13-3	455	325	6-2	7-1	4-2	10-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Minnesota Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Favre 68.4 4202 33 7 Jackso... 66.7 201 1 0

Dallas Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Romo 63.1 4483 26 9

Minnesota Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Peters... 314 1383 4.4 18 Taylor 94 338 3.6 1

Dallas Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Barber 214 932 4.4 7 Jones 116 685 5.9 3

Minnesota Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Rice 83 1312 15.8 8 Harvin 60 790 13.2 6

Dallas Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Austin 81 1320 16.3 11 Witten 94 1030 11.0 2

Full Player Stats: Minnesota | Dallas

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	MIN	336.0
	DAL	366.0
Yards Passing	MIN	171.6
	DAL	256.6
Yards Rushing	MIN	164.6
	DAL	109.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	MIN	338.1
	DAL	307.6
Pass Yds Allowed	MIN	264.1
	DAL	213.1
Rush Yds Allowed	MIN	74.1
	DAL	94.6

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 1-1
Sep 12, 2004	MIN 35, @DAL 17

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Minnesota Vikings safety Dwight Smith was inactive for Sunday's game at Dallas because of a nagging hamstring injury.

The Cowboys were without cornerback Anthony Henry for the third straight week.

Smith has been bothered by the hamstring for most of the season, but he started all five games before Sunday. Tank Williams started in his place against the Cowboys.

Henry has been out since sustaining a high ankle sprain in the first quarter Sept. 30 against St. Louis. He went into Sunday still tied for the NFL interceptions lead (four) despite missing more than 3 1/2 games.

Jacques Reeves again replaced Henry in the lineup.

Cowboys fullback Oliver Hoyte missed his fifth straight game because of a neck injury. Rookie Deon Anderson started in his place.

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Already interest in Greg Ellis

When news broke of the Cowboys' release of Greg Ellis earlier today, the phone of Ellis' agent, James D. Williams, started to ring from interested parties.

Money is no longer flowing for Dallas Cowboys

I don't mean GM broke. Or Michael Vick broke. Or even Tom Hicks broke. But it certainly appears as though Jerry is paying more attention to the bottom line when it comes to the Cowboys than he's ever done in the past.

Kitna knows his job with Dallas Cowboys is be ready if Romo isn't

By MAC ENGEL CARROLLTON - Jerry Jones was just kidding, but the sad part of what he said a few days before the 2009 NFL Draft was true.'Last year we had one quarterback who was hurt and another quarterback who was playing like he was hurt,' Jones said.The comment drew uncomfortable laughter, and Jones immediately recognized what he had just ...

Dallas Cowboys have plenty to prove in 2009

Jean-Jacques Taylor has been at the DMN for 16 years. He covered the Rangers and Cowboys before becoming a columnist.