2022 Cowboys Season Preview: Week 11 vs Vikings

The Cowboys will finish off their run of four straight NFC North opponents when they face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. It’s the fourth consecutive season Dallas will play Minnesota.

Last season, the Cowboys defeated the Vikings in Minneapolis 20-16 behind two touchdowns from backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Dallas has won two in a row against Minnesota, with their last loss coming in 2019 in Arlington.

Leading the Vikings at quarterback is veteran Kirk Cousins. He’s entering his fifth season as Minnesota’s starting quarterback.

Last season, Cousins recorded a passer rating of 103.1, his third straight season with a passer rating over 100. He also tallied 4,221 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Dalvin Cook remains the Vikings’ No. 1 running back after rushing for 1,516 yards and six touchdowns last season. Alexander Mattison remains his backup.

His No. 1 receiver is Justin Jefferson. After a breakout rookie year in 2020, Jefferson was even better in 2021, recording 1,616 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught 108 passes.

Adam Thielen is the Vikings’ No. 2 receiver, scoring 10 times last season with 726 yards. At tight end, Irv Smith Jr. returns after missing all of last season with a torn meniscus.

Center Garrett Bradbury anchors the Minnesota offensive line. He’ll be surrounded by guards Ezra Cleveland and Jesse Davis and tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. The latter allowed just one sack last season.

Edge rusher Danielle Hunter returns for his eighth season. He’s only played seven games combined in 2020 and 2021 after missing all of 2020 with a neck injury and tearing his pectoral muscle last season. Alongside him on the defensive line is defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who recorded 2.5 sacks with seven quarterback hits in 2021.

Edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips are new signings, arriving from the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, respectively. Smith played one game last season due to a neck injury but recorded 12.5 sacks in 2020.

Eric Kendricks remains the Vikings’ No. 1 linebacker. In 15 games last season, Kendricks recorded 143 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions.

Safety Harrison Smith leads the Minnesota secondary. He recorded three interceptions and one sack last season. Alongside him at safety is expected to be Lewis Cine, the Vikings’ first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

At cornerback, Minnesota returns veteran Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler. The Vikings also drafted cornerback Andrew Booth out of Clemson in the second round of this year’s draft.

After firing Mike Zimmer, new head coach Kevin O’Connell will lead the team this season. He was an offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams before arriving in Minnesota.

The Cowboys will play the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3:25 p.m CT on Fox.