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Minnesota Vikings: Ranking non-divisional games in 2019

By Luke Parrish

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 10: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks throws an interception late in the second quarter while trying to avoid a sack by the Minnesota Vikings defense at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 10: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks throws an interception late in the second quarter while trying to avoid a sack by the Minnesota Vikings defense at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Terrance Williams Dallas Cowboys
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 1: Terrance Williams #83 of the Dallas Cowboys catches the ball in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 1, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Week 10 at Dallas Cowboys

The top spot on this list goes to the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings and Cowboys are two fringe playoff teams with high hopes. They differ philosophies on offense. Dallas is built to run the ball early and often while the Vikings are set up to throw. Dallas has a top-tier offensive line to battle the Minnesota front-seven.

Week 10 will be a physical struggle for both squads. Both are projected to be Wild Card contenders come season’s end and this game may just be the difference.

Kirk Cousins is just 1-6 in his career against the Cowboys. This game is also set to be played on Sunday Night Football. Those combine for a recipe for disaster. The Vikings have also lost two straight games to Dallas. They meet the Cowboys following a tough road test against the Chiefs.

The Cowboys are going to pound the rock with Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. Amari Cooper emerged as the star he was expected to be in Oakland before being traded last season. The defense made strides last season and is now one of the best in the league.

The Dallas front-seven oozes with talent. Demarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn can be a deadly rushing duo. Sean Lee returns to join Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch at the second level. Smith and LVE were phenomenal last season and were crucial in the team’s success.

Dallas also has a strong secondary filled with youth. Byron Jones took a huge step forward last season as a shutdown corner. Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, and Jourdan Lewis are all young corners that contributed in 2018. Xavier Woods took over as a starting safety and showed flashes as he intercepted two passes.

dark. Next. NFL Power Rankings: Post-minicamp edition

Minnesota hasn’t beaten Dallas since 2010 but hasn’t won in Dallas since 2000. With a trip to the playoffs potentially on the line, they need to reverse fortunes in this one.

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