Cowboys rekindle title hopes after dismantling Vikings

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates a touchdown with running back Tony Pollard (20) during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys rekindle Super Bowl hopes after dismantling Vikings

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 11/21/22

The Cowboys rekindled Super Bowl hopes after they drubbed the Vikings 40-3 on Sunday.

"I sure do think that what I see out here right now is the team that you could get to a Super Bowl with," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after the victory.

Dallas flashed glimpses of a championship contender, crushing Minnesota's seven-game win streak. The Cowboys recorded a season-high seven sacks and 458 yards of total offense in the blowout.

Look at @Tp__5 sprinting like a track star untouched into the end zone!

: @NFLonCBS | #DALvsMIN pic.twitter.com/4ozW9WPbFG
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 20, 2022

According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the blowout was the team's biggest road win since 1995. The Cowboys won their fifth Super Bowl that year. Additionally, it's the largest road victory in franchise history.

"We knew we needed to respond after last week ... If we can continue to do this, this team can be special."

- Dak Prescott after a gigantic @dallascowboys win

@tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/0GhIXveJpb
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) November 21, 2022

Setting aside the heartbreaking 31-28 loss to the Packers was significant. The Cowboys didn't unravel after a bitter disappointment and instead glued broken pieces together.

The ability to respond to and navigate through crisis separates these Cowboys from previous squads, adding to the idea that they possess a rare quality.

The #Cowboys are 7-3 and Dak Prescott has only now started as many games as backup Cooper Rush. Offensive performance far superior in Prescott’s five starts. But Rush certainly delivered beyond expectations.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 21, 2022

Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith, who tore his left hamstring in training camp, hasn't started a game, but the Cowboys have only allowed 14 sacks, tying the league's best mark. Smith could return in December.

Per the New York Times' playoff predictor, Dallas has a 97 percent chance to make the playoffs. Key starters returning bolster the favorable odds.

Aside from the Eagles (9-1), the Vikings (8-2) are the only team in the NFC that has more wins than the Cowboys. Dismantling the Vikings gives the Cowboys a platform to make a statement.

"This week was a statement week," said Micah Parsons in a postgame news conference.

The statement was clearly made: The Cowboys are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

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