MINNESOTA — The Dallas Cowboys are beginning to stack good weeks together as they come away with a much needed 31-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.
The Cowboys entered the fourth quarter of their post-bye week game down 21-16 after leading 16-7 at halftime.
Even with a balanced game on both sides of the ball through three quarters, momentum had swung in favor of the Vikings following a 12-play, 81-yard drive that was capped off by a three-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen.
Dallas took over with 14:57 left in the game.
The drive began with a nine-yard catch from Dalton Shultz before Ezekiel Elliott’s patience earned him a 15-yard run down the middle.
The Cowboys continued to pound the ball before they arrived at a second-and-4 on Minnesota’s 42.
Tony Pollard quick burst immediately got him to the second level before he outran defenders for a 42-yard touchdown.
The ensuing extra point was good — giving Dallas a 24-21 lead.
The Vikings wasted no time responding as they took over with 12 minutes left in the game.
A heavy dose of Dalvin Cook had the Dallas defense on its heels, which set up a 39-yard play action pass to Justin Jefferson for a touchdown.
Dallas found themselves down by three with nine minutes remaining.
Each team’s next drive ended in a punt as Dallas took over on their own 39 with four minutes left in the game.
Elliott opened the drive with an 18-yard run.
The next set of downs wasn’t as kind to the Cowboys as they were faced with a third-and-seven before a false start on Cam Erving moved them back five yards.
A draw to Pollard set them up with a fourth-and-six.
Dalton stood poised in the pocket and lasered a sideline pass to Amari Cooper for a 10-yard gain.
Two minutes left, set up on MIN 19, Dallas moved into chew clock mode.
After a five-yard run from Elliott, Dalton connected with Shultz for a 10-yard pass that moved him down to the four.
A couple plays later, Dalton returned to Shultz for a two-yard go-ahead touchdown. The following extra point gave Dallas a 31-28 lead.
The Minnesota offense netted a total of four yards on their final drive of the game as the Cowboys earned their third win of the season.
Dallas returns home Thursday for a Thanksgiving Day matchup against Washington.
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