[Underdog]

Cowboys Looking For Victory Before Bye Week Starts

Zach Buchanan
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
October 19, 2007 6:06 PM



GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (5-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-3)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
TELEVISION: Fox (Kenny Albert, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver)


BIG ISSUE: After absorbing their first loss of the season at the hands of the Patriots this past Sunday, the Cowboys are aiming to stop the losing streak at one. With the Giants at 4-2 and the Redskins at 3-2, a Cowboys loss against the Vikings could mean sharing the lead in the NFC East with the Giants followed closely by the 'Skins, providing both New York and Washington win their Week 7 games. To maintain that division lead, along with assuring at least a share of the NFC lead with Green Bay, the Cowboys' run defense will have to do its best to stop the NFL's leading rusher, rookie Adrian Peterson.

The Vikings are embroiled in their own little division battle. After upsetting Chicago to get to 2-3, a Vikings win over the Cowboys and a Detroit loss to Tampa Bay could tie the two for second place in the NFC North, only two games back of the 5-1 Packers (idle). If only a win over the Cowboys were that easy. When it comes to anything running, the Vikings have been phenomenal; they lead the league in rushing offense and are second in rushing defense. However, their passing offense and defense have been suspect, ranked last in pass defense and 28th in pass offense. Unless the NFL reverts to the days of yore, before the invention of the forward pass, the Vikings' defense could have its hands full with Dallas' potent passing game.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: While Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson may look like All-World, the Cowboys have done an admirable job stopping the run this season, not allowing a 100-yard rusher yet and allowing just 79.7 yards a game. The most prolific back in terms of season production they've faced, though, has been Miami's Ronnie Brown, who gained a measly 33 yards. That must be considered somewhat of an accomplishment since Brown has gone on to rush for more than 100 yards in his next four games.

Peterson has not only been consistent running the ball over the first five games, but also possesses big-play ability. Peterson has five runs of more than 20 yards, second only to Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, who has six. He also has three runs of more than 40 yards, tops in the NFL, the longest going for a 73-yard touchdown this past Sunday against the Bears. The second half of the Vikings' running tandem, Chester Taylor, has also contributed his own 20-plus-yard run this season and 141 rushing yards of his own.

ONE-ON-ONE: Again the Cowboys' offensive line faces a stern test, though this time the task is a little different. Instead of worrying about rushers getting to quarterback Tony Romo, the O-linemen, especially right and left guards Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier will be burdened with opening holes for the Dallas running backs, and to do that they must dominate their matchups against defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, or "Williams No. 1 and No. 2," as Cowboys tight end Jason Witten refers to them. The two defensive tackles have combined for 16 tackles and a sack each, and are the major catalysts in Minnesota's second-ranked run defense. Since the Cowboys intend to run the ball effectively no matter where the Vikings are ranked, Davis and Kosier will have to play as well as they can to keep the two-headed Williams monster out of the running lanes, along with help from center Andre Gurode.

The Cowboys will have to stop Vikings running back Adrian Peterson from running away with the game, literally, and that's not secret. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said that although Peterson is stronger running to the right, he clearly possesses the ability to break off a big gain no matter what direction he's going. Inside linebackers Bradie James and Akin Ayodele will have to keep close tabs on Peterson, who is not only a significant threat running the ball but catching it as well.

SUPPORTING ROLE: It's not every week a player makes it into the Supporting Role section twice, but in the case of Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis, that role may be different that the one chronicled in last week's section. Ellis could resume his starting duties this week against the Vikings, since for the first time this season Phillips suggested this was a possibility. Also, when asked if rookie Anthony Spencer would start his seventh game in place of Ellis, all Phillips could offer was a 'To Be Determined.' Phillips acknowledged that Ellis, when healthy, is clearly the better player at the position, but if he does start, he might have to knock off some rust, as he has only pass-rushed with a hand on the ground as a D-lineman in the nickel, and not standing up as a linebacker.

With Peterson taking the NFL by storm, Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has been offensively quiet. Jackson, who has thrown just two touchdown passes but five interceptions in the three games he's started this season, may be forced into throwing situations if the Cowboys can successfully corral Peterson. Jackson does present more of an offensive threat than the numbers show since he fits under the label of "mobile quarterback." He has only been sacked twice this season, tops among starting quarterbacks, and has one rushing touchdown. Jackson's mobility makes the jobs of Cowboys pass-rushers that much harder, since they have to worry about containing him rather than heading to a set spot. So don't be surprised if Phillips tells Ellis, Spencer and DeMarcus Ware, along with the inside guys, to stay in their lanes.

HEADSET GAMES: Even though they were torched through the air by the Patriots, the Cowboys were very successful at stopping the run, which Phillips said is the key to his defense being effective. Facing less of a passing threat in Jackson this week, the Cowboys will be able to put more defenders in the box, up to eight, in order to stop Peterson from being effective. That means that only two corners and a safety, probably free safety Ken Hamlin, would be left in coverage, with three down linemen, four linebackers and strong safety Roy Williams playing up close.

Don't be fooled by the Vikings being dead last in pass defense. Despite giving up a ton of yardage, Minnesota's squad is also first in takeaways with 14, seven of which are interceptions. Three of those 14 turnovers, two picks and one fumble, have been returned for touchdowns, so the Cowboys will be banking on the assumption that Tony Romo has shed the turnover bug that led to seven turnovers in the past two games. The Vikings would like Romo to remain as afflicted as ever, though, and may use more linebackers in the place of defensive linemen to disguise blitzes, a tactic used by Buffalo and New England with a measure of success.

HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys
Once again the Cowboys will definitely be without two starters, and possibly a third, since wide receiver Terry Glenn still hasn't returned to practice following his Sept. 13 arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage from his right knee. Returning for the first game after the bye (Nov. 4 at Philly) would be the absolute soonest he would back. Also still out is cornerback Anthony Henry, who missed another week of practice with a high ankle sprain. Henry at least started rehabbing on the field with the trainers, which means his return is nearing, likely after the bye. While fullback Oliver Hoyte participated in practice this week, the pinched nerve in his neck has him working with the scout team and he is listed as doubtful. Safety Courtney Brown (biceps) has been upgraded this week to questionable while safety Keith Davis, who played last week, is probable.

Vikings
Only one starter appears to certainly be out, that being free safety Dwight Smith, who missed practice on Friday with a strained hamstring. Defensive end Erasmus James, struggling with a strained shoulder, is listed as questionable and only participated in practice on a limited basis. Two backups are out, linebacker Vinny Ciuriu (ankle) and fullback Naufahu Tahi. After being limited in practice early in the week, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson fully participated on Friday and is probable.