Cowboys Enter Must-Win Territory as Injuries Mount Ahead of Vikings Clash
The Dallas Cowboys are officially out of runway. After weeks of teetering on the edge, they head into Sunday night’s primetime matchup against the red-hot Minnesota Vikings with zero margin for error. The stakes are simple: win, or risk watching the postseason slip away.
Minnesota, coming off a 31-0 demolition of the Commanders, is surging at just the wrong time for a Cowboys team that suddenly looks vulnerable on defense. Dallas remains favored, but after surrendering 44 points to the Lions, that confidence feels more like reputation than reality. And now, the injury report is adding even more pressure.
Let’s start with the secondary. Trevon Diggs still isn’t expected back, and now standout rookie cornerback Shavon Revel is dealing with knee soreness that’s limited him in practice this week. While it’s not considered a setback, it's not the kind of news you want heading into a must-win game-especially when you’re staring down one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers in Justin Jefferson.
Revel has been a bright spot in a defense that’s struggled to find consistency. If he’s not at full strength-or worse, can’t go at all-Dallas will be forced to lean even more heavily on DaRon Bland, who’s had a rollercoaster of a season. And not the fun kind.
Jefferson’s Slump Might Be Misleading
On the surface, Jefferson hasn’t looked like his usual self this year. He’s caught just 64 passes for 810 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games-a far cry from his All-Pro numbers last season.
He hasn’t topped 70 yards since October and has only two 100-yard games to his name. In his last two outings?
Four catches for 15 yards total. That’s not just quiet, that’s whisper-level production.
But here’s the thing: if there’s one team that’s been the league’s unofficial “get-right” opponent, it’s been Dallas. Struggling quarterbacks and receivers have routinely found their rhythm against this defense.
Russell Wilson, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Marvin Harrison Jr.-even Bryce Young threw three touchdowns against Matt Eberflus’ unit. That’s not a trend; that’s a red flag.
So while Jefferson’s recent stat lines might not scream “danger,” the Cowboys can’t afford to be lulled into a false sense of security. All it takes is one busted coverage or missed assignment, and Jefferson can flip a game in a heartbeat. Especially if he’s matched up against Bland, who’s allowed the third-most receiving yards and fourth-most catches among all corners with at least 200 coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
The Pressure Is On Dallas’ Secondary
With Diggs out and Revel less than 100 percent, the Cowboys’ cornerback depth is being tested at the worst possible time. Bland has shown flashes of Pro Bowl-level play this season, but consistency has been elusive. Against Detroit, he struggled mightily, and if he draws Jefferson on Sunday night, the margin for error is razor-thin.
The hope, for Dallas, is that J.J. McCarthy continues to look like a second-year quarterback still figuring things out. His chemistry with Jefferson has been spotty, and if McCarthy has another off night, it might not matter who’s lining up across from the star receiver.
But that’s a dangerous game to play. Banking on the opposing quarterback to implode isn’t a sustainable defensive strategy-especially not in a must-win game.
Bottom Line
This is a pivotal moment for the Cowboys. The defense needs to find answers, and fast. Whether it’s a banged-up Revel gutting it out, Bland stepping up, or the pass rush making life miserable for McCarthy, something has to give.
Because if it doesn’t, and Jefferson finds his groove again, Sunday night could be another chapter in a troubling trend-and possibly the one that writes Dallas out of the playoff picture.