Cowboy Corner: Divisional Playoff Betting

COWBOY CORNER – Divisional Playoffs: Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings

Super Bowl Odds: Cowboys +705

Sunday, January 17, 1:00 p.m. ET

5Dimes Odds (5Dimes Reviews): Vikings -3

Cowboys offense vs Vikings defense

Normally, the Minnesota Vikings defense would be a very tough matchup for the Cowboys but this unit has not been as strong as it was in the early parts of the year.

The Vikings were thrashed by the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears down the stretch of the season, which really opened some eyes.

It’s typically tough to run on the Vikings up the middle but the Cowboys offensive line has been very good in the last month of the season. Don’t be too surprised if the Cowboys find some running room.

Beyond that, the Vikings really miss their middle linebacker, E.J. Henderson, who is out for the season, and backup Jasper Brinkley has been exposed in coverage regularly. On top of that, the safety situation for Minnesota is a question mark as both starters have underachieved and the teams top cornerback, Antoine Winfield, is dealing with a foot injury.

The Cowboys could be the hottest offense – and team – left in the playoffs. While the Vikings could probably beat them on a good day, the question is will the Vikings have a good day? The Cowboys have sloped upwards in the last month of the season while the Vikings defense has sloped down. They better hope the bye week got them on track.

Cowboys defense vs Vikings offense

The Cowboys defense will face a different challenge this week: beating a team that runs the ball. The last few opponents that Dallas has played haven’t bother running it too much but the Vikings will try. The question is will they have any success?

NFL betting fans have to be asking themselves what has happened to Adrian Peterson. He has disappeared in the later stages of the year unless he’s been coughing up fumbles, and the Vikings have been forced to rely on Brett Favre solely.

The Cowboys defense has given up 31 points total in their last four games. The game plan is simple and similar: shut off the run and then tee off on the quarterback. Stopping the run will be the key.

Outlook

The Vikings have been brutal down the stretch but a bye week can change things. Even so, these are two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum right now. The Cowboys are hot while the Vikings are not. If the Cowboys force the game onto Favre’s arm and they don’t make any mistakes, they will win and move on.

NFL Picks: Cowboys +3