Dallas Cowboys

Week 13 game review: Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:54 p.m. ET

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What were the good, bad, and interesting thing that happened during the Minnesota Vikings week 13 game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 1, 2016?

As week 13 of the NFL season approached, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves in a spot few could have imagined after a 5-0 start and being the last team in the league to get their first loss.

Now, their backs are against the wall. After losing 5 of their last 6 games, the Vikings are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in and their hold on the division title gets even looser with each loss this year.

Minnesota hoped to turn that around on Thursday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. With their head coach out of the game with emergency medical issue, the Vikings were unable to hold off their opponents, falling 15-17.

Even though the Vikings lost, there were a lot of interesting things about this game. What were the good, bad, and interesting events? Let’s discuss those as usual, starting with the things that made us happy!

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Kai Forbath (2) kicks a field goal during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Good Stuff

Next: The Bad Things

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence (90) tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad Things

Next: The Interesting Occurrences

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) shoes before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Interesting Occurrences

Next: Overall Impression Of The Game

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and defensive tackle Linval Joseph (98) during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Impression

The Minnesota Vikings did so many things well in this game. Sadly, the excellent play of the defense was overshadowed by an offense that struggled to get in scoring position and special teams unit that made too many mistakes.

More from The Viking Age

Injuries are the big thing in this game. Not having Marcus Sherels available to return punts was an absolute mess, with Adam Thielen turning the ball over and giving the Cowboys a very short field.

But Thielen wasn’t the only one struggling with punt returns. Cordarrelle Patterson almost made a similar mistake, but the fast thinking of Audie Cole prevented the Cowboys from getting possession of the football.

There is a chance that this could have been the last game the Vikings have in terms of NFL relevancy. If Detroit continues to win, the thought of winning the division could be a pipe dream. And even worse, the idea of being a playoff contender gets harder and harder to imagine.

The Minnesota Vikings still have football to play though. They pushed the Cowboys to the limit, but now they have a long week off before making the trip to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars in week 14.

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