The Dallas Cowboys are the only one-loss team in the NFL, and have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the NFC on Thursday Night against the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams had a week to prepare for this game after playing on Thanksgiving, but that extra time won't help the Vikings. Here are three reasons why the Cowboys will win tonight's game:
3) Trending in opposite directions
The phrase in the NFL is that you "want to get hot at the right time," and no one is hotter than the Cowboys with their 10-game winning streak. On the flip side, only the Browns and 49ers are colder than the Vikings, who have lost five of their last six games after a 5-0 start. Expect both of those trends to continue.
2) Holes in Minnesota's defense
The Vikings have one of the best defenses in the league, but they haven't looked great in their recent slide. They have given up at least 20 points in five of their last six games, showing that they aren't as dominant as they were earlier in the season. Given that none of those offenses are as good as Dallas', both Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott should be able to put a good number of points on the board.
1) Lack of explosiveness in Minnesota's offense
Dallas' defense actually ranks among the worst in forcing turnovers, but excel in the bend-but-don't-break system - and Vikings play right into their hands. During Sam Bradford's first four starts (all wins), Minnesota's offense was much more explosive as he averaged nearly eight yards per attempt. In this six game slide, Bradford has been much more cautious, averaging just 6.39 yards per attempt. That lack of explosiveness is limiting the Vikings.
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