The Cowboys must beat the Minnesota Vikings, but how do they do it?
The Dallas Cowboys know that their Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings is a must-win, and that brings a whole new level of pressure.
With the Cowboys stung by the Detroit Lions 44-30 last time out, and the Vikings stealing the soul of the Washington Commanders in a 31-0 win, this Sunday night NFC matchup is going to be a doozy.
Given the predicament the Cowboys are in, how does coach Brian Schottenheimer's team get a win that will keep their slim hopes of playoff football alive?
By doing these five things.
1 - Navigate Vikings' high blitz rate
One thing we know about Brian Flores' defense, they blitz ... a lot.
Blitzing a league-high 47 percent of the time, the pressure will be on the offensive line to give Dak Prescott time to dish the ball out to his weapons. After allowing five sacks and facing 19 pressures against the Lions last week, there is a feeling that Dak could be a sitting duck with Minnesota's vast array of blitz packages.
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But when going against the blitz this season, Dak has thrown the second-most yards in the NFL (1,018) and has a completion percentage of 60.8, which is the second-highest while throwing nine touchdowns to just two interceptions.
However they do it, Dallas has to keep Dak clean, and quick passes and a viable run game could keep the rushers at bay.
2 - Get Pickens involved early
It has been a big week for George, and even though from the outside, it doesn't seem like he's been impacted by the week's events, he wouldn't be human if he had a little trepidation about Sunday night.
Get Pickens involved early with a couple of easy passes, get his confidence up, and then let him loose, because everyone will be eagerly watching to see what George we get at AT&T Stadium.
3 - Win the turnover battle
The Cowboys haven't been good at this in 2025, but against the Vikings and JJ McCarthy, they will face an offense that has 13 turnovers in their last five games, and a defense that has forced five in their last two games.
Considering this is a defense that has only allowed 30+ points once this season, possessions will be like gold, so don't gift extra ones. Also, Dallas' defense will get an opportunity to take the ball away, with McCarthy, who had three straight games with multiple interceptions before last week.
When the chance comes to grab a turnover, take it.
Trevon Diggs, as you know, won't be a part of that "chance'' as he wasn't activated from IR this week.
Speaking of which ...
Cowboys inactives vs. Vikings:
OT Tyler Guyton (ankle)
RB Jaydon Blue
WR Jalen Tolbert
DT Jay Toia
DT Perrion Winfrey
All of which means Jadeveon Clowney and Jake Ferguson, who were questionable, will play.
As for the Cowboys' offense, a turnover in each of their last six games, which includes four games of multiple turnovers, has to be better at protecting the football.
4 - Be aware of the Jefferson bounce-back
Considering the Cowboys' secondary, this scares me.
Jefferson has just four receptions for 15 yards in his last two games, so there is a real chance Kevin O'Connell will feed No. 18, and I'm not sure Dallas has anyone that can stop him. We know the type of receiver Jefferson is, and he is one who can single-handedly destroy Dallas on Sunday night. Don't let him.
He's not in form, so don't let this be a get-well game for Justin, because if it is, the Cowboys will lose this game.
5 - Win on third down
Given the ferocious nature of the Vikings' defense, keeping them on the field for prolonged periods will make them less effective, and Dallas is the NFL's sixth-best offense in converting third downs (43 percent), while the Vikings offense is the NFL's second-worst, at just 31 percent.
So, a strength on weakness here.
Conversely, the Cowboys' defense on third down is the worst in the NFL, allowing a conversion 47 percent of the time, and Minnesota's defense is ninth, at just 37 percent.
Long, sustained drives from the Cowboys are the way here, and if Matt Eberflus' team has a chance to get off the field, they've got to do it.
Because it doesn't matter how good a defense is, if they are on the field for back-to-back 10+ play possessions, they will tire out, and Dallas has the weapons to take advantage.