Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds vs. Cowboys in Week 10
Stud: Kyle Rudolph
Kyle Rudolph was a reliable target and red zone option for quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota offense early and often throughout the game. Rudolph finished with a total of four catches for an overall total of 14 yards, but finished with two big touchdowns early on in the game that pushed the Vikings out front early on. With five targets, he hauled in his game-long reception of seven yards.
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It’s also the second straight week that Rudolph has hauled in a touchdown reception, after managing to finish with one touchdown in the Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend. On the year, he has a total of four touchdown receptions for the Vikings.
Moving forward, especially while Adam Thielen continues to battle back from his hamstring injury, Rudolph could continue to be a focal point for Minnesota, especially as a red zone target.
Dud: Pass defense
For a majority of the game, Dak Prescott managed to throw all over Minnesota. The Vikings defense allowed Prescott to finish with nearly 400 yards through the air while converting on 28 of his 46 pass attempts. Especially in the second half, Prescott and the Dallas passing attack moved with ease against Minnesota.
The Vikings managed to give up 397 yards and three touchdowns to Cowboys wide receivers in the contest, including surrendering 147 yards and one touchdown to Amari Cooper, 106 yards and one touchdown to Randall Cobb and 76 yards and one touchdown to Michael Gallup.
Minnesota was dealing with some injury issues on the defensive side of the ball, but it will need to clean up its pass defense ahead of Week 11 on Sunday.