The Loser of the Cowboys-Vikings Game Is In Trouble

Added on Oct 14, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

It’s strange to think that either the Cowboys or Vikings will walk away from Sunday’s melee at the Metrodome with a 1-4 record, but that’s the situation both teams face, barring one of those pesky ties. It’s been a horror show for both teams thus far and Halloween is still two weeks away. What went wrong with this pair of preseason contenders, and how can each regain their playoff footing? Let’s take a look.

Dem ‘Boys are easily one of the most talented teams in the league. A roster peppered with former and future Pro Bowlers should be standing atop the NFC East, but instead find themselves scouring for scraps at the bottom of the division. They are second in the league in total offense and third in passing offense, but rank only 16th in scoring. The running game has been largely invisible, Tony Romo is interception happy and the defense is struggling to force turnovers.

Also plaguing “America’s Team” is a rash of penalties, special teams breakdowns and coaching blunders. The decision to call a pass play at the end of the first half in the loss to the Redskins and last week’s end zone celebration by Marc Colombo are just two examples of boneheaded mistakes that must be eliminated for Dallas to have any shot at the postseason. Bottom line: they play a stupid, undisciplined brand of football, which is a glaring indictment on head coach Wade Phillips’ ability to lead.

The Vikings’ troubles can be attributed to a spate of injuries to key players as well as the never-ending saga that is Brett Favre. Until the trade for Randy Moss, the Vikings pass attack was one of the least feared in football. If Monday night’s loss to the Jets is any indication, the Moss Effect should net positive gains, especially for Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson, but all that’s contingent on old man Favre’s mental and physical health.

Favre is nursing a bum ankle, sore elbow and wounded ego. His off the field shenanigans couldn’t have come at a worse time for the 1-3 purple and gold. It would be one thing if he were playing well and the Vikes were winning, but that isn’t the case. The team is 29th in scoring and 21st in pass offense. Favre has already tossed as many interceptions in four games as he did in all of 2009. And now he’s hinting that his gimpy elbow could put an end to his consecutive games streak. Other than that, everything’s a-okay in Minnesota.

My gut tells me the Cowboys will reach down and muster up the effort necessary to win on Sunday, just as they did three weeks ago when they traveled to play the Texans. They are healthier and seem like the more desperate team. It will take a near-perfect performance by the Vikings to secure a victory. And with gunslinger Favre under center, near-perfect is next to impossible.