Pre-Game:

The Dallas Cowboys traveled to Minnesota to play the Vikings at US Bank Stadium. However, there was the usual drama following the Dallas Cowboys heading into this game. Although the two teams were coming off bye weeks, Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott sustained a calf strain on the last play of the game during their week six win over the New England Patriots.

While the team was hopeful that Dak would be healthy enough to start the game, the Cowboys elected to make him inactive instead, giving him more time to heal and less of a chance of re-injury.

On the Vikings' side of things, they were looking to expose the Cowboys' defense by connecting on some big plays like they are known to do in hopes of capitalizing on a defense trying to bite off more than they could chew with Dak out.

Both teams come into this game off a bye, with the Cowboys 5-1, and Vikings 3-3. With the Vikings looking to stay in the hunt and the Cowboys looking to extend their win streak to six games, this Sunday night matchup proved to be a crucial one for both teams.

First Quarter:

In the first quarter, Kirk Cousins was able to poke holes in the Cowboys' secondary, finding Adam Thielen multiple times before connecting with him once more for a 20-yard touchdown pass. They were able to shave three minutes and 11 seconds off the clock, striking quickly and with ease.

On the Cowboys' first possession, they were able to work their way down the field using a mixture of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. However, eventually stopped, the Cowboys were forced to kick a field goal. Greg Zuerlein missed as the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs.

Throughout the rest of the quarter, Cousins missed a few key throws, overthrowing the likes of Tyler Conklin and Justin Jefferson. However, heading into the second quarter up 7-0, it was looking like momentum was on their side.

Second Quarter:

After working their way into Viking territory, Cooper Rush, filling in for the injured Dak Prescott, threw an interception on the Vikings 30-yard line, swinging the momentum even further in the Vikings' favor. While it seemed as though the Vikings were about to run away with the game, the Cowboys' defense was able to force a three-and-out and stop them from capitalizing on the interception.

After the Cowboys got the ball back, they were able to drive down the field again as Cooper Rush was able to repeatedly find CeeDee Lamb, who had averaged 4.7 yards of separation during the game. While the offense would stall out, it was luckily in Vikings territory and the Cowboys were awarded a 38-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein to make the game 7-3.

The Cowboys defense had a theme on this Halloween night, and that was to cause nightmares for the Vikings on third down. It had seemed as though the Cowboys were about to force another three-and-out before they jumped offside on the punt, giving the Vikings a fresh set of downs.

Kirk Cousins was able to find Thielen on a few throws before the Cowboys would finally stop him, causing a fourth-and-inches. With 1:44 left in the half, Greg Joseph would connect on a 45-yard field goal, giving the Vikings a 10-3 lead. 

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
 Photo via HollandSentinel.com

Third Quarter:

Heading into the third quarter, it seemed as though the Vikings were just unable to pull away in this game, giving the Cowboys more chances than they asked for. Things would get even worse to start the half as the Vikings would rule out defensive end Danielle Hunter who had been making noise this game upfront. 

After coming out of the half with a two-yard run from Elliott, Cooper Rush failed to connect with Dalton Schultz. On third-and-eight, Cedrick Wilson was able to break away from his defender as Cooper Rush found him for a 73-yard catch and run for a touchdown.

It was clear the momentum was beginning to shift, as you could hear it in the crowd. A "Let's Go Cowboys" chant broke out, unusually loud for an away game. Now tied 10-10, this was not what the Vikings were expecting when the Cowboys ruled out Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys' defense continued to haunt Cousins and the Vikings, causing multiple three-and-outs. The Vikings would finish 1-for-13 on third downs. 

The two teams would trade sacks on consecutive drives; Randy Gregory picked up the sack for the Cowboys while Everson Griffen did it for the Vikings. 

The Vikings would move down the field. However, the Dallas defense would once again hold them to a 40-yard field goal, giving the Vikings a 13-10 lead with only 6:31 left in the third quarter. 

On a trick play, Cedrick Wilson found CeeDee Lamb for a 35-yard catch, putting the Cowboys in Vikings territory as they tied the game up on a 39-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein, leaving just four seconds on the clock before the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

The Cowboys, with a chance to take the lead, would find Cooper Rush fumbling the ball on their 47-yard line and have it recovered by the Vikings' safety Anthony Barr. 

Able to force yet another three-and-out, the Cowboys' defense was able to consistently give their offense a chance. Their ability to stop the Vikings on third down while also negating their run game was crucial. 

The game seemed to be getting ugly as the Cowboys were ripped for three consecutive 15-yard penalties, allowing the Vikings to march up the field without even needing to snap the ball. Inside the five-yard line and set up for a first and goal, the Cowboys' defense was able to stop the Vikings three times, forcing a field goal.

Greg Joseph would connect on the 24-yard field goal, giving the Vikings a 16-13 lead with just 2:51 left in the game. 

Cooper Rush was able to find Amari Cooper multiple times on the final drive, including a crucial 33-yard juggling catch made by Cooper to give the Cowboys a first down.

Cooper Rush would find Cooper once more for a 12-yard gain before finding Elliott on a dump-off. Elliott was able to slice through the defenders for a first down on 3rd and 11. 

On first and goal, Cooper Rush looked to his left to deliver a perfectly placed jump ball to Amari Cooper in 1-on-1 coverage for the five-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys took the lead, 20-16, with just 0:51 seconds left on the clock.

As was the case with many other Minnesota drives, the Cowboys' defense overmatched them on their final drive. The Vikings ran out of time, and the game ended 20-16. 

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
 Photo via FoxNews.com

Closing Notes and Looking Ahead:

The Cooper to Cooper connection on the last drive was special, and it was shown throughout training camp as Cooper Rush was taking first-team snaps due to Dak Prescott's off-season shoulder injury. While the play of Rush was serviceable, it was nowhere near what the Cowboys will need going forward to keep the good times going. 

The Cowboys' defense was the star of the game, keeping not only the Vikings run game and Dalvin Cook in check, but also holding them on key third downs. While the offense did struggle at times, it is evident that with a healthy offensive line and those great wide receivers, the offense will be fine in the long run under Dak.

The 6-1 Cowboys take on the Denver Broncos in Dallas at 1:00 pm EST, as they look to extend their six-game win streak. It will be interesting to see if Dak Prescott is deemed healthy enough to return, or if we will see another week of Cooper Rush. The 4-4 Broncos have been stumbling as of late after a 3-0 start to the season. 

The Vikings' offense was flat and their inability to get the ground game going ultimately haunted them, as Dalvin Cook would only total 78 yards total all game. They need to get the offense back on the same page, but with playmakers like Jefferson and Cook, that shouldn't be all that difficult.

Meanwhile, the 3-4 Vikings will take on the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore at 1:00 pm EST. Look for the Vikings to come hot as they look to get back to .500, and look for the Ravens to set the record straight coming off a big loss to the Cincinnati Bengals before their week eight bye.