Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction, 10/31/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 8

by Guy Bruhn - 10/26/2021

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Game: Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings

Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021

Location: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

TV: NBC

Odds/Point Spread: Vikings (+3)

Total/Over-Under: 55

The Dallas Cowboys (5-1) are traveling to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday where they will try to beat the Minnesota Vikings (3-3). Dallas is 3-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 55.

The Dallas Cowboys come into this game with a record of 5-1 for this year. In their last game, the Cowboys played the Patriots and took home the win by a score of 35-29. Ezekiel Elliott was the best rusher for the Cowboys with 17 carries for 69 yds (4.1 yds per carry). CeeDee Lamb averaged 16.6 yds per reception by accumulating 149 yards on 9 receptions. Dak Prescott finished 36/51 with 445 yds through the air and 3 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 108.7 and finished the game with 1 interception. In the running game, the Cowboys conceded 120 yards on 27 attempts, which averages out to 4.4 yards per rush allowed. Dallas relinquished 15 pass completions on 21 attempts for 215 yds, and a completion percentage of 71.4%. For the game, they had 82 plays which converted into 567 yds. The Dallas Cowboys ended up running the ball 31 times and totaled 122 yards, earning them an average of 3.9 yds per attempt.

When it comes to scoring, the Dallas Cowboys hold an average of 34.2 points per game. As a team they're averaging 164.3 yards in the run game ranking them 2nd in the league. The Cowboys have attained 2,765 total yards over the course of this year. Dallas has amassed 96 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 47 penalties for 391 yards. They have given the ball to the opposition 7 different times (4 interceptions and 3 fumbles lost). When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Dallas has earned 16 touchdowns via the pass and 6 touchdowns on the ground.

The Cowboys are sitting in 20th in the NFL in terms of the opposition scoring, conceding 24.3 points per game. They are giving up an average of 4.3 yards per tote and 86.2 yards on the ground per game for the year. For the year, they have conceded 517 rushing yards through 6 outings. In terms of yards through the air, the Cowboys have given up 1,770 yards which puts them in 22nd in the NFL. They have allowed 295.0 yards per contest through the air in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 65.5%. For the year, they are conceding 381.2 yards/game which ranks them 23rd in the league. They have given up 12 touchdowns through the air as well as 5 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Vikings come into this game with a record of 3-3 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Vikings got the victory with a final of 34-28 when they played the Panthers. Dalvin Cook carried the football 29 times for 140 yards, finishing the contest with 4.8 yards per attempt for Minnesota. Adam Thielen was one of the featured targets for the Vikings, grabbing 11 passes for 126 yards (11.5 yards per reception). Kirk Cousins (3 touchdowns) ended the game with 373 yards on 33/48 through the air while his quarterback rating was 112.6. He didn't toss any interceptions and his Y/A was 7.77 yds. Minnesota conceded 23 rushing attempts for 118 yds (5.1 yds per rush). The Vikings secondary gave up a completion rate of 41.5%, surrendering 188 yds on 17 out of 41 through the air. The Vikings ended up finishing with 571 yds on 84 plays (6.8 yds per play). Minnesota ran the football for 5.5 yards per attempt, finishing with 198 yards on 36 attempts.

When discussing how much they score, the Vikings are sitting 14th in the league scoring 24.5 points per outing. During this campaign so far, the Vikings currently sit at 1,718 passing yards together with holding an average of 286.3 passing yards per game, which ranks 6th in football. They have an average of 127.8 run yards per game and have run for 767 yards overall. The Minnesota Vikings are averaging 414.2 yards/outing which is good for 5th in the NFL. The Minnesota offense has compiled 386 penalty yards on 44 infractions, which ranks 12th in the league in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 2 interceptions while conceding 3 fumbles and they have earned 84 1st downs.

Minnesota has allowed a total of 768 yards rushing (128.0 yards per game) and 6 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the year. They have given up 7 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 230.3 yards/contest, ranking them 13th in the NFL. They have compiled 7 takeaways (3 fumbles and 4 picks) on the year. This season, they have surrendered 137 points in total. The Vikings defense has been on the field for 385 plays, which has them ranked 9th in the league. The Vikings are conceding 22.8 points per game, which has them ranked 13th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Cowboys/Vikings NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Vikings +3

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Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction, 10/31/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 8

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