How much could the Cowboys tee off against the Vikings?
Yahoo Sports host Andrew Siciliano, senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein and betting analyst Ben Fawkes preview the Cowboys - Vikings Week 15 matchup. Check out the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
Yeah, it's a great question, Andrew, and I think that.
Um, like historically, against the Vikings, and even the Vikings under Brian Flores, Dak has fared pretty well, and he's been quite comfortable compared to some other teams that Like to blitz, like the Broncos, for example, some of what they like to do and the way they They were, um, disguising it has given Dak more trouble.
I think it's not just a Dak question; it's also how George Pickens will rebound After there were some questions raised about, his effort and attitude in the loss to the Lions last week.
How will C.D.
Lamb be feeling after that?
Went out of that Lions loss with a concussion?
And so, Dak is leading the league in passing yards.
I mean, he would be the first Cowboy quarterback to lead the league in passing yards At the end of the season, if he keeps up this trade.
Obviously, the season's not over, but I think they all have a connection.
They should have a little better protection.
Tyler Guy is likely to be back in the lineup.
And so, I think there are reasons to believe that this offense could be.
Find its rhythm.
And then, on the other side, I mean, The Cowboys' defense is not the Washington Commanders' defense.
Like JJ McCarthy's 3 touchdowns, 0 picks and close to a 70% completion rate Last week against the Commanders.
That's probably not quite the level of defense he's going to get against the Cowboys.
But they will give you some opportunities, particularly with the deep ball.
What I wonder about is, according to NextGen Stats, J.J. McCarthy has thrown downfield, So 10+ air yards at the second-highest rate in the NFL this season, 44% of the time, hes throwing 10+ yards, but hes completed that just 41.3% of the time.
Which is the fifth-lowest in the league.
So, he might be trying those, Which, in theory, you should do against the Cowboys' offense or defense.
But is he going to make them?
And if not, will there be opportunities?
For takeaways?
So, um, I think you also have to ask Ask yourself, if you're Justin Jefferson, and talked to him about what that body language is.
Hes played better with quarterbacks who were not J.J. McCarthy this year.
I mean, he looked better with Carson Wentz.
He'd had more games with 55+ receiving yards.
Other quarterbacks than he has with JJ McCarthy.
And so if you start to feel like you're not Getting the ball, or you're not getting the best opportunity from your quarterback.
And then you see on the other side of the field, that Dak is fighting.
Finding CD and George, do you start to be like, Well, why cant I have that?
