Cowboys vs. Vikings 2021: Prediction, Odds, Dak Prescott Injury Update For Sunday Night Game

The Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings return from a bye for a meeting on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 8. It’s an important game for the Vikings as they try to get above .500 for the first time in 2021, while the Cowboys have a chance to pull away even further from the rest of the NFC East.

Dallas has a 2.5-game lead atop the NFC East after a 5-1 start, looking every bit like a Super Bowl contender. Minnesota enters Week 8 trailing the Green Bay Packers by 2.5 games in the NFC North.

The Cowboys are 1.5-point road favorites over the Vikings, according to the latest betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is 55, the highest on the entire Week 8 schedule.

When healthy, Dallas and Minnesota have two of the league’s best offenses. The Cowboys rank first with 460.8 yards per game and 34.2 points per game. The Vikings are fifth in total offense.

Without Dak Prescott under center, the Cowboys could be one of the league’s worst units. An early MVP candidate, Prescott spent the bye week rehabbing a calf strain that has left his status for Sunday’s contest up in the air.

It seems more than likely that Prescott will start, considering he didn’t appear to be limited in practice Thursday, though the team has yet to make an official determination.

Mike McCarthy indicated that Dak Prescott and director of rehab Britt Brown will greatly influence the decision on the QB playing Sunday. The two worked together extensively through Dak’s recent injuries, and Prescott said he trusted Brown would be truthful in his recommendation. pic.twitter.com/YdvOoWMk8O
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 28, 2021

It looked like Dak Prescott pushed his rehab work harder on Thursday than the previous day. He went through a series of change of direction drills, carrying a ball after simulating a drop from center. He did not appear to be laboring with the calf strain. pic.twitter.com/kAK1AyNw9O
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 28, 2021

If Prescott plays, this is a game the Cowboys should win. Dallas’ only loss of the season came as the result of a last-second field goal against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dallas has scored at least 29 points in five of six games. The Cowboys’ offensive line has returned to being one of the NFL’s best.

Minnesota has an average defense, led by a pass rush that leads the league in sacks per game. If the Vikings can’t put pressure on Prescott, it will be a long night for Minnesota.

The Vikings are 0-3 against teams with winning records. Minnesota has found ways to lose when facing good teams.

There’s a good chance that trend will continue Sunday.

Prediction: Dallas over Minnesota, 30-24