The Cowboys offense has made it a habit of lighting teams up this season, with a per-contest points average that ranks third in the NFL. Now imagine if they didn’t wait until the second quarter to start scoring points. As the team works to figure out why they’re averaging just a measly 3.8 points in the opening frame, they know the answer could be the key to running the table and sneaking into the postseason. They’re currently six-point favorites to beat the Vikings this week, even though their place in most power rankings continues to hover in the 14-to-18 range.
This Sunday’s matchup will provide some interesting battles, including the Cowboys defense looking to take advantage against a young and inexperienced quarterback who’s mostly struggled this season… but is coming off his best game yet. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, meanwhile, is zeroed in on the wide receiver tandem he calls the best in the league… and he should know, after watching George Pickens up close as a rookie.
Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense will face a stiff challenge once they reach the red zone; Minnesota used an early goal-line stand against Washington to turn that game into a rout. And Vikings safety Jay Ward is worth keeping an eye on; the hit he laid on Commanders tight end Zach Ertz is being questioned after it ended the veteran’s season. It was legal, but did it cross an invisible line?
Around the league, the unretirement of Philip Rivers was the story of the day, as the Hall of Fame semifinalist may be putting a gold jacket fitting on hold to lead the Colts down the home stretch. And he’s not the only comeback story; Jason Pierre-Paul is rejoining the Buccaneers after two years away from the game. Who else would we like to see come off the couch? Zack Martin, anyone…? And ex-Texas star Quentin Jammer makes a shocking admission about his own NFL career.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Headlines: Fixing slow starts; red zone challenge ahead vs Vikings
Reporting by Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
