Three Takeaways To The Dallas Cowboys Victory Over NFC North Division Leader Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings fans were ready to go home by the start of the fourth quarter. CBS cut their national broadcast of the game short and switched to another game, with a blowout in hand. From start to finish, the Dallas Cowboys played their most well-rounded game in their dismantling of the NFC North division leader Minnesota Vikings 40-3 Sunday, at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Cowboys brought the Vikings seven-game win streak to a halt and set a franchise record in the process. The 37-point winning margin in Minnesota is the largest gap in a road victory in Cowboys history.

The Cowboys advance to 7-3 while the Vikings drop to 8-2 for the season. Dallas has a short week ahead, as they return to the field on their traditional Thanksgiving Day game when they host the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Thursday at 4:30pm ET.

Here are 3 things the went well for the Cowboys in Week 11.

Dominating defense

The Vikings offense started off on the wrong foot. Linebacker Micah Parsons sacked Vikings QB Kirk Cousins on the third play of the game, that caused a fumble recovered by Dorance Armstrong. The sack by Parson’s was a foreshadowing play, that could sum up the Cowboys defensive domination throughout the rest of the game.

The Cowboys defense steamrolled the Vikings offensive line, racking up seven sacks on Cousins. It was the most the Vikings QB been brought down in the pocket in his career. Parsons had his fifth two-sack game of the season.

Cousins couldn't connect with WR Justin Jefferson

Pressure front the Cowboys front seven kept Cousins and the Vikings offensive production to a minimum.

Vikings Offensive Coordinator Kevin O'Connell, had trouble executing the game plan Sunday, as Justin Jefferson, Minnesota's leading wide receiver, was held to 3 receptions for 33 yards. Cousins suffered his lowest passing yards of the season, a scant 105 yards on 12 completions and 23 attempts. Fans saw backup quarterback Nick Mullens go 5-7 for 54 yards when the game was out of reach.

Cowboys offensive output

On the opposite sideline, the Cowboys were able to get offensive production from all facets of the roster.

Besides Ezekiel Elliot’s two rushing touchdowns, it was Tony Pollard’s offensive output that stole the show. The fourth year running back rushed for 80 yards on the ground, along with six catches for a total of 109 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. The receiving scores were from 30 and 68 yards out, making a case for a contract extension or a pay upgrade at the very least.