Final2021 Week 8

U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings, Week 8 2021

Dallas Cowboys

AwayWon

20

Minnesota Vikings

Home

16

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cowboys0310720
Vikings733316

DAL 20MIN 16 Final

  • Passing leader

    Cooper Rush

    DAL · QB

    18.2PPR pts

    24/40, 325 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Amari Cooper

    DAL · WR

    26.2PPR pts

    8 REC, 122 YDS, 1 TD

  • Vikings leader

    Adam Thielen

    MIN · WR

    19.8PPR pts

    6 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Xavier Woods

    MIN

    1 INT, 1 SACK, 8 TKL

Cowboys 20, Vikings 16: Dallas rallies from 7 down at halftime

Dallas erased a 10–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Minnesota 17–6 after the break to win 20–16. The Cowboys finished with a 419–278 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The Vikings went 1-for-13 on third down, while the Cowboys kept the ball for 32:32.

Key advantages

  • +1.6 yards/play DAL 6.2 · MIN 4.6
  • +141 total yards DAL 419 · MIN 278
  • +42% third-down rate DAL 50% · MIN 8%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Cowboys Won

Dallas won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Cowboys vs Vikings
CowboysStatVikings
6.2Yards per play4.6
419Total yards278
50%Third-down conversion8%
Other team stats
68Plays61
2Turnovers0
32:32Time of possession27:28

Scoring Summary

The Cowboys scored two touchdowns and two field goals; the Vikings scored one touchdown and three field goals.

Scoring plays, Cowboys vs Vikings
TimeTeamPlayDALMIN
1st quarter
11:49MINKirk Cousins → Adam Thielen, 20-yard TD Takes leadGreg Joseph XP07
2nd quarter
6:09DALGreg Zuerlein 38-yard FG37
1:44MINGreg Joseph 45-yard FG Extends lead310
3rd quarter
14:07DALCooper Rush → Cedrick Wilson, 73-yard TD Ties gameGreg Zuerlein XP1010
6:31MINGreg Joseph 40-yard FG Takes lead1013
0:04DALGreg Zuerlein 39-yard FG Ties game1313
4th quarter
2:51MINGreg Joseph 24-yard FG Takes lead1316
0:51DALCooper Rush → Amari Cooper, 5-yard TD Game winnerGreg Zuerlein XP2016

Fantasy Points: Cowboys vs Vikings, Week 8 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Amari CooperDALWR25.2 PTSWR6
  2. Adam ThielenMINWR19.8 PTSWR13
  3. Cedrick WilsonDALWR18.8 PTSWR16
  4. Cooper RushDALQB17.2 PTSQB12

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Cooper RushDALQB17.2QB1224/403252112092.2
Kirk CousinsMINQB12.2QB2123/3518410318088.3Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Amari CooperDALWR25.2WR6WR———1381221
Adam ThielenMINWR19.8WR13WR———96781
Cedrick WilsonDALWR18.8WR16WR———33841
CeeDee LambDALWR17.2WR17WR———861120Start/Sit →
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB11.3RB27RB1650064230
Tyler ConklinMINTE10.7TE8TE———75570Start/Sit →
Dalvin CookMINRB7.8RB39RB187802000
Justin JeffersonMINWR4.1WR74WR———42210Start/Sit →
Tony PollardDALRB3.7RB57RB72601110Start/Sit →
Dalton SchultzDALTE3.1TE40TE———72110Start/Sit →
K.J. OsbornMINWR3.0WR87WR———32100Start/Sit →
Alexander MattisonMINRB2.0RB66RB25022-50
Noah BrownDALWR1.7WR98WR———2170
Luke StockerMINTE1.7TE47TE———1170
Chris HerndonMINTE1.7TE49TE———1170
Ihmir Smith-MarsetteMINWR1.6WR101WR———1160
Blake JarwinDALTE0.0—TE———1000

Fantasy Usage

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. CeeDee LambWR65 snaps89%
  2. Amari CooperWR63 snaps86%
  3. Dalton SchultzTE60 snaps82%
  4. Ezekiel ElliottRB55 snaps75%
  5. Cedrick WilsonWR42 snaps58%

Target Share41 targets

  1. Amari Cooper32%, 13 targets
  2. CeeDee Lamb20%, 8 targets
  3. Dalton Schultz17%, 7 targets
  4. Ezekiel Elliott15%, 6 targets
  5. Cedrick Wilson7%, 3 targets
  6. Other10%, 4 targets

Carry Share24 carries

  1. Ezekiel Elliott67%, 16 carries
  2. Tony Pollard29%, 7 carries
  3. Cooper Rush4%, 1 carries

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

  1. Adam ThielenWR65 snaps98%
  2. Tyler ConklinTE54 snaps82%
  3. Dalvin CookRB47 snaps71%
  4. Justin JeffersonWR47 snaps71%
  5. K.J. OsbornWR38 snaps58%

Target Share30 targets

  1. Adam Thielen30%, 9 targets
  2. Tyler Conklin23%, 7 targets
  3. Justin Jefferson13%, 4 targets
  4. K.J. Osborn10%, 3 targets
  5. Dalvin Cook7%, 2 targets
  6. Other17%, 5 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Dalvin Cook78%, 18 carries
  2. Kirk Cousins13%, 3 carries
  3. Alexander Mattison9%, 2 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Adam ThielenMINWR6598%930%0
CeeDee LambDALWR6589%820%0
Amari CooperDALWR6386%1332%0
Dalton SchultzDALTE6082%717%0
Tyler ConklinMINTE5482%723%0
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB5575%615%16
Dalvin CookMINRB4771%27%18
Justin JeffersonMINWR4771%413%0
K.J. OsbornMINWR3858%310%0
Cedrick WilsonDALWR4258%37%0
Blake JarwinDALTE3244%12%0
Tony PollardDALRB1926%12%7
Luke StockerMINTE1726%13%0
Chris HerndonMINTE1523%13%0
Noah BrownDALWR1318%25%0
Ihmir Smith-MarsetteMINWR1117%13%0
Alexander MattisonMINRB812%27%2
Jeremy SprinkleDALTE57%00%0
Dan ChisenaMINWR23%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+13.3Cedrick Wilson Jr.18.8 PTS vs 5.5 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−9.1Ezekiel Elliott11.3 PTS vs 20.4 xFP
  • Highest expected volume21.9 xFPAmari Cooper26.2 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Amari CooperDAL · WR26.221.9+4.386%32% tgt—000%1332%
Ezekiel ElliottDAL · RB11.320.4−9.175%67% car—01667%615%
Cooper RushDAL · QB18.218.20.0100%40 att—4014%00%
Kirk CousinsMIN · QB13.217.3−4.1100%35 att—35313%00%
Adam ThielenMIN · WR19.815.2+4.698%27% tgt—000%927%
Dalvin CookMIN · RB7.814.9−7.171%75% car—01875%26%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR17.213.5+3.789%20% tgt—000%820%
Dalton SchultzDAL · TE3.111.8−8.782%17% tgt—000%717%
Tyler ConklinMIN · TE10.711.8−1.182%21% tgt—000%721%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR4.17.2−3.171%12% tgt—100%412%
Tony PollardDAL · RB3.76.2−2.526%29% car—0729%12%
C.J. HamMIN · RB3.35.7−2.4—9% tgt—014%39%
Cedrick Wilson Jr.DAL · WR18.85.5+13.358%7% tgt—100%37%
K.J. OsbornMIN · WR3.05.1−2.158%9% tgt—000%39%
Alexander MattisonMIN · RB2.04.7−2.712%8% car—028%26%
Noah BrownDAL · WR1.73.4−1.718%5% tgt—000%25%
Blake JarwinDAL · TE0.01.7−1.744%2% tgt—000%12%
Chris HerndonMIN · TE1.71.70.023%3% tgt—000%13%
Ihmir Smith-MarsetteMIN · WR1.61.7−0.117%3% tgt—000%13%
Luke StockerMIN · TE1.71.70.026%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Cowboys 41 targets and 24 carries; Vikings 33 targets and 24 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Cooper Rush

DAL · QB · 18.2 pts on 18.2 expected

24 of 40 passing for 325 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 1 carry for 2 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.2 expected.

Kirk Cousins

MIN · QB · 13.2 pts on 17.3 expected

23 of 35 passing for 184 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 carries for 18 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.3 expected.

Start/Sit: Kirk Cousins →

Amari Cooper Strong role

DAL · WR · 26.2 pts on 21.9 expected

13 targets (32% of the team's), 8 catches for 122 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.9 expected.

Ezekiel Elliott Volume, no payoff

DAL · RB · 11.3 pts on 20.4 expected

6 targets (15% of the team's), 4 catches for 23 yards; 16 carries (67% of the team's) for 50 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 20.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Adam Thielen

MIN · WR · 19.8 pts on 15.2 expected

9 targets (27% of the team's), 6 catches for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.2 expected.

Dalvin Cook Volume, no payoff

MIN · RB · 7.8 pts on 14.9 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards; 18 carries (75% of the team's) for 78 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 14.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Dalton Schultz Unlucky

DAL · TE · 3.1 pts on 11.8 expected

7 targets (17% of the team's), 2 catches for 11 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 11.8 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Dalton Schultz →

Cedrick Wilson Jr. Ran hot

DAL · WR · 18.8 pts on 5.5 expected

1 of 1 passing for 35 yards; 3 targets (7% of the team's), 3 catches for 84 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Minnesota Vikings

  • Stock down: Justin Jefferson played 71% of the snaps, down from a 89% season average.
  • Stock down: Alexander Mattison played 12% of the snaps, down from a 36% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cowboys defense and Vikings defense
Points allowed toCowboys DVikings D
QBs15.618.5
RBs19.624.5
WRs33.340.5
TEs14.210.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Minnesota opened at 62% win probability, climbed as high as 97%, then lost.

Vikings win probability

Vikings win probability by game minuteVikings started at 62%, stood at 83% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +18Cousins → Thielen, 20-yd TD61% → 79%Q1 11:49
  2. −25Rush → Wilson, 73-yd TD83% → 58%Q3 14:07
  3. −16Zuerlein 39-yd FG72% → 56%Q3 0:04
  4. +34Joseph 24-yd FG53% → 86%Q4 2:51
  5. −96Rush → Cooper, 5-yd TD97% → 1%Q4 0:51

Swing in Vikings win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cowboys vs Vikings
Dallas CowboysMeasureMinnesota Vikings
68Plays61
65%Pass rate61%
7.8Yds / dropback4.8
3.3Yds / carry4.2
7/14Third downs1/13

Efficiency edge Dallas ran 7 more plays and gained 3.0 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • DAL Cooper 32% · Lamb 20% · Schultz 17%
  • MIN Thielen 27% · Conklin 21% · Jefferson 12%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cowboys vs Vikings
ResultDALMIN
Touchdowns21
Field goals23
Punts46
Turnovers20
Turnovers on downs01
Missed field goals10

MIN turnover edge: +2

  • The Vikings opened the scoring on their first possession, a 7-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
MINQ1 15:007753:11Touchdown
DALQ1 11:4911506:30Missed FG
MINQ1 5:194181:29Punt
DALQ1 3:509484:33Interception
MINQ2 14:173101:43Punt
DALQ2 12:3412606:25Field goal
MINQ2 6:0911494:25Field goal
DALQ2 1:445101:07Punt
MINQ2 0:374180:37End of half
DALQ3 15:003750:53Touchdown
MINQ3 14:074222:57Punt
DALQ3 11:103-81:38Punt
MINQ3 9:327333:01Field goal
DALQ3 6:315182:41Punt
MINQ3 3:50341:39Punt
DALQ3 2:115512:07Field goal
MINQ3 0:04361:25Punt
DALQ4 13:397433:43Fumble
MINQ4 9:563-90:53Punt
DALQ4 9:03310:55Punt
MINQ4 8:0810695:17Field goal
DALQ4 2:518752:00Touchdown
MINQ4 0:515170:51Downs
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cowboys vs Vikings Head-to-Head

The Cowboys and Vikings first met in 1961 and have played 35 times since.

All-time series
19–16Cowboys lead, 35 meetings since 1961
Postseason
4–3Split 4–3
Largest Cowboys win
40–32022
Largest Vikings win
54–131970

Since 2021

2–1 Cowboys lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Cowboys win, V = Vikings win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cowboys vs Vikings
CowboysStatVikings
12-5Record8-9
31.2Points per game25.0
407.0Yards per game362.8
6.0Yards per play5.7
21.1Points allowed per game25.1
351.0Yards allowed per game383.6

Cowboys vs Vikings Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
MIN −4Vikings failed to cover by 8
Total
49Under: 36 points scored (by 13)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Vikings26.516−10.5
Cowboys22.520−2.5

Both offenses finished under the market's expectation, which matches the low fantasy output in the Fantasy tab.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Dallas Cowboys

Against the spread
7–0
Over/under
5–2
ATS as favorite
4–0
ATS as underdog
3–0
ATS on the road
4–0

Minnesota Vikings

Against the spread
3–4
Over/under
3–4
ATS as favorite
1–3
ATS as underdog
2–1
ATS at home
1–3

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Cowboys and Vikings in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Cowboy or a Viking, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cowboys vs Vikings Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Cowboys vs Vikings Week 8 game?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings 20–16 in Week 8 of the 2021 season. The game was played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN, on October 31, 2021. See the Cowboys' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Cowboys vs Vikings?

The final score was Cowboys 20, Vikings 16. The Vikings led 10–3 at halftime, and the second half went Cowboys 17, Vikings 6.

What happened in the Cowboys vs Vikings game?

Dallas erased a 10–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Minnesota 17–6 after the break to win 20–16. The Cowboys finished with a 419–278 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play. Amari Cooper led all players with 8 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys committed 2 turnovers, the Vikings none.

What was the game-winning score in Cowboys vs Vikings?

Cooper Rush's 5-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with 0:51 left in the fourth quarter gave the Cowboys a 20–16 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cowboys vs Vikings?

Amari Cooper led the game with 25.2 PPR fantasy points, the WR6 of Week 8, on 8 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Adam Thielen was next with 19.8 (WR13).

Who led Cowboys vs Vikings in passing, rushing and receiving?

Cooper Rush (DAL) led all passers with 24 of 40 for 325 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Dalvin Cook (MIN) led in rushing with 18 carries for 78 yards. Amari Cooper (DAL) led in receiving with 8 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Amari Cooper score against the Vikings?

Amari Cooper scored 25.2 points in PPR leagues, 21.2 in half-PPR and 17.2 in standard scoring against the Vikings in Week 8 of the 2021 season, on 8 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. He drew 32% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Vikings?

Cedrick Wilson Jr. outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 18.8 PPR points on 5.5 xFP (+13.3). Ezekiel Elliott fell furthest short, with 11.3 points on 20.4 xFP (−9.1). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Cowboys come back to beat the Vikings?

The Cowboys' chances of winning fell as low as 3% in the fourth quarter. Cooper Rush's 5-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Cooper Rush's 5-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Cowboys vs Vikings record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 19–16 across 35 meetings since 1961, including a 4–3 record in the postseason.

When did the Cowboys and Vikings last play before this game?

Before Week 8 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on November 22, 2020, when the Cowboys beat the Vikings 31–28.

Have the Cowboys and Vikings met in the playoffs?

Yes, 7 times, most recently in the 2009 playoffs. The Cowboys are 4–3 against the Vikings in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Cowboys vs Vikings?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Vikings −4, making the Minnesota Vikings 4-point favorites, with a closing total of 49. That implied about 26.5 points for the Vikings and 22.5 for the Cowboys.

Did Cowboys vs Vikings go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 49, and the teams combined for 36 points, 13 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Cowboys vs Vikings?

The Cowboys covered as 4-point underdogs against the closing line of Vikings −4. The final margin was 4 points.