Halftime Report: Cowboys lead Vikings 23-3

After two quarters, the Dallas Cowboys lead the Minnesota Vikings 23-3 at the break. The Cowboys defense got off to a blazing start after a strip sack by Micah Parsons on the first offensive possession for the Vikings. A 27-yard field goal by Brett Maher put the Cowboys up 3-0 early.

The Vikings would respond with their only points of the half. A 25-yard FG by Greg Joseph locked the game 3-3.

The game plan was clear from the start. The Vikings tried to run the ball early and often with Dalvin Cook. Cook finished the half with 45-yards on eight carries. Nonetheless, the Cowboys defense gave up some big plays through the air but was able to bend and not break. They forced two punts from the high-powered Vikings offense in the first half.

The second offensive possession resulted in seven for Dallas. A steady balance of run and pass helped the Cowboys go 75 yards in 10 plays. Ezekiel Elliott capped off the drive with a one-yard score. This team needs both Zeke and Tony Pollard.

It was nice to see Micahel Gallup used early in the first quarter. He and Dak Prescott connected on some brutal third downs.

The offense for the Cowboys settled for three again on the third drive of the game due to a penalty. Maher knocked down a 53-yard FG that put Dallas up 13-3 with less than six minutes left in the first half.

Maher has been GREAT this year. He ended the half-hitting from 60 TWICE. (If you watched the game, you know what I am talking about).

Cowboys get a 53-yard FG from Brett Maher to up the lead to 13-3. Illegal shift penalty on CeeDee Lamb set bad things in motion after crossing midfield. Honestly, what did the TV folks say about the penalty? Never saw a replay ...

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 20, 2022

Prescott was PHENOMENAL in the first half. He finished 15-for-17, 141 yards, and capped the first half off with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Pollard, Prescotts’ 150th of his career.

The Cowboys can’t let their guard down in the second half and let the Vikings back into this game.