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Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings NFL Betting Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on January 13, 2010

The 12-5 Dallas Cowboys take on the 12-4 Minnesota Vikings Sunday in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Last week, Dallas defeated Philadelphia for a third time this season to earn its first playoff victory since 1996. Meanwhile, the Vikings were at home with a first round bye. These two teams last met in the 2007 season with Dallas winning 24-14. The series has been neck and neck in the regular season with each team posting 10 wins against the other, but the Cowboys have a 4-2 lead in the playoffs. NFL odds makers have listed the Minnesota Vikings as 3-point favorites with the total set at 46.

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The Vikings have made four trips to the Super Bowl, but they are yet to win one. In fact, their four Super Bowl losses are tied for the most in NFL history. They are hoping to end their Super Bowl drought this season, but in order to do so, they’ll have to win their first home playoff game since the 2000 season.

The Cowboys haven’t advanced to the NFC Championship game since 1995, but a win over Minnesota Sunday would be a good omen. Two of the Cowboys’ five Super Bowl titles have come after wins over the Vikings in the playoffs.

While there will be plenty of subplots, the battle between QB Brett Favre and QB Tony Romo is the main attraction. This game very well could come down to which of these top notch signal callers plays better. Despite being 40 years old, Favre has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. He has completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. Meanwhile, Romo has cleared his name from being a late season bust with sensational play in December and January so far. He has completed 63.1 percent of his throws for 4,483 yards and 26 touchdowns against just nine interceptions this season.

If the star quarterbacks are able to play each other to a standstill, then it could be up to the running backs to decide the outcome. That could actually give the advantage to Dallas as Felix Jones enters Sunday’s matchup on a tear. Jones has destroyed the Eagles’ defense each of the last two weeks to the tune of 7.7 yards per carry. Marion Barber and Tashard Choice team with Jones to create a three-headed tailback monster. We all know what Adrian Peterson is capable of, but he has not been the explosive back we are used to seeing down the stretch. He has only broken the century mark three times this season, but it is hard to argue with his 1,389 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. The thing to watch for is his ball security though, as he has seven fumbles on the season. Because of those ball security issues, we will likely continue to see plenty of Chester Taylor on third down.

Lastly, this matchup could very well come down to which team is able to apply more pressure to the quarterback. Jared Allen’s 13.5 sacks lead a Minnesota defense that was tops in the league with 48 QB sacks. For the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware and his 11 sacks lead a unit that came up with 42 sacks on the season to rank seventh in the NFL.

It is worth noting that the Dallas Cowboys enter having covered the spread in four straight games. Plus, the Vikings are 0-4 ATS in their last four games as a favorite of 3.0 points or less. If you like Dallas to pull off the small upset, bet the Cowboys at +3 at Bodog.

It is also worth noting that the favorite is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings and the Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings in Minnesota. If you like Minnesota to take care of business at home, bet the Vikings at -3 at Bodog.

Jimmy Boyd is off to a strong 3-1 start in the NFL Playoffs, highlighted by nailing his Wild Card Game of the Year on the Cardinals and his Wild Card Total of the Year on the Ravens/Patriots Over. Join Jimmy in the Divisional round for more winning football picks on the pro gridiron!

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