The Minnesota Vikings snapped a four-game skid in emphatic fashion last week, blanking the Washington Commanders 31-0. Now, the question is whether they can carry that momentum into a much tougher primetime matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.
Beating Washington was a needed confidence boost-but let’s be real, Dallas is a different animal. The Cowboys are playoff-bound, and they bring a level of speed and physicality the Vikings haven’t consistently handled this season. And with several key players dealing with injuries, Minnesota’s margin for error just got even thinner.
Injury Watch: Key Playmakers in Question
Let’s start with the injury report, because it’s a big one for the Vikings.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson is nursing a shin contusion that kept him out of Wednesday’s practice and limited him on Thursday. While he’s one of the most reliable targets in the passing game, a lower leg issue like this can impact everything from route sharpness to yards after the catch-especially against a Dallas defense that swarms to the ball.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison is also banged up, dealing with an Achilles issue. That’s a red flag for a player whose game is built on burst and separation. If he’s not at full speed, the Vikings lose one of their most dynamic vertical threats-something they’ll sorely need against a Cowboys secondary that has been vulnerable all season.
But the most concerning name on the list? Left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday due to knee soreness. Darrisaw suited up and played well in the win over Washington, but missed the previous game against Seattle after a similar practice pattern.
If he’s out, that’s a major blow to the offensive line-and a gift to a Dallas pass rush that can wreck a gameplan in a hurry.
Finding Offensive Rhythm-Can It Continue?
Despite the injuries, there’s reason for optimism. The Vikings finally found some rhythm on offense last week, and it started with J.J.
McCarthy. The rookie quarterback led scoring drives on Minnesota’s first two possessions, setting the tone early and playing with a calm confidence that had been missing during the team’s recent slide.
That early success allowed the offense to settle in-and when McCarthy is comfortable, the whole unit looks different. He’ll need to replicate that fast start against a Cowboys defense that, while talented, ranks dead last in the league against the pass. There are opportunities to exploit here, especially if Justin Jefferson can get loose early and force Dallas to adjust its coverage.
The Vikings’ backfield also showed signs of life last week. The tandem of Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones gave Minnesota a balanced look, combining physicality with elusiveness. If they can keep the chains moving and help McCarthy stay ahead of schedule, the Vikings will have a shot to keep pace.
The Cowboys’ Firepower Is Real
Of course, keeping pace with Dallas is no small task. Dak Prescott is playing some of the best football of his career, and he’s developed a strong connection with George Pickens. That duo has been a problem for defenses down the stretch, and if CeeDee Lamb can clean up the drops that have plagued him at times, this offense becomes even more explosive.
The Vikings' defense will need to be sharp, particularly in the secondary. Prescott is decisive and accurate when he’s in rhythm, and Minnesota can’t afford to give him clean throwing windows-especially if the offense is short-handed.
The Bottom Line
This is a gut-check game for the Vikings. They’ve shown they can dominate weaker opponents, but Sunday night is about proving they can hang with a legit contender. If McCarthy can build on last week’s performance, if Jefferson finds space, and if the offensive line holds up-especially without Darrisaw-they’ve got a shot to make it interesting.
But with Dallas firing on all cylinders and Minnesota’s injury list growing, the Vikings will need to be sharp, aggressive, and opportunistic. Anything less, and the Cowboys could run away with it under the lights in Arlington.