Cowboys’ Odds Change, Suggest Dak Prescott Won’t Play For Dallas In Minnesota

There’s been significant line movement for Sunday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. The drastic change in betting odds indicates that bookmakers are concerned Dak Prescott won’t play because of a calf strain.

Dallas opened Week 8 as a 2.5-point favorite in Minnesota, and the point spread didn’t see much of a change at sportsbooks throughout the week. That is, until Thursday night, when the Cowboys all of a sudden became 2.5-point underdogs.

The move happened shortly after Prescott spoke with reporters. The quarterback pushed himself in practice and appeared to be moving well, but he indicated that the Cowboys coaching and training staff might decide he shouldn’t suit up.

"It's not fully my decision because there is a bigger picture. It's more than just one game," Prescott said. "I don't want this to linger past this week."

There has been optimism that the injury would not force Prescott to miss a start. Prescott played Dallas’ entire game against the New England Patriots in Week 6 and spent the team’s Week 7 bye rehabbing his calf. Even with the Vikings now favored, the Cowboys reportedly still believe there’s a good chance Prescott will play.

"Today I pushed it. Today, yeah, I didn't go half or 75% -- I went all and I just told myself that if something was going to happen, I'm going to do it today," Prescott told reporters. "But I needed to feel the full go and I did that."

The Cowboys’ place in the standings could push the team to take an overly cautious approach with their franchise quarterback. Dallas is already running away with the NFC East and appears to be a top Super Bowl contender. A loss Sunday likely wouldn’t keep the Cowboys out of the playoffs, and the team needs Prescott to be healthy if they hope to make a championship run.

In six games, Prescott has established himself as a top MVP candidate. The signal caller ranks third among starters with a 115.0 passer rating and fourth with 302.2 passing yards per game. Dallas has the NFL’s No. 1 offense.

The Cowboys know all too well how important Prescott is to their success. A season-ending ankle injury forced Prescott to miss the team’s final 11 games last year. Dallas went from the No. 1-ranked offense under Prescott in 2019 to the league’s No. 14 offense in 2020.

Cooper Rush is the Cowboys' backup quarterback. Rush has attempted just three passes in his five NFL seasons.

The Cowboys have not been defeated since losing the season opener against the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.