Cowboys-Vikings Rivalry
Dallas Cowboys
Minnesota Vikings
| |
| First meeting | September 24, 1961 Cowboys 21, Vikings 7 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | October 31, 2021 Cowboys 20, Vikings 16 |
| Next meeting | 2022 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 33 |
| All-time series | Cowboys 18-15 |
| Postseason results | Cowboys, 4–3 |
| Largest victory | Vikings, 44–3 (1988) |
| Longest win streak | Vikings, 5 (1998–04) |
| Current win streak | Cowboys, 2 (2020-present) |
The Cowboys–Vikings rivalry is a rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. [1] This was considered the best NFL rivalry in the 1970s although it has calmed out a bit in recent years. Games between the two are still consequential for the NFC playoff race and most of the recent games have been primetime games. The last six games have been one score games and the Cowboys have come from behind for thrilling victories in four of the last five games.
The overall series is led by Dallas 18-15. The Cowboys and Vikings have played 7 times in the playoffs making this one of the most played playoff series in league history (the most played Vikings playoff opponent and the third most played opponent for the Cowboys after the Rams and Packers). The Cowboys lead the playoff series 4-3. Some of the more famous moments include the 1975 Hail Mary against the Vikings, the Herschel Walker trade, Randy Moss torching the Cowboys in 1998, and Favre lighting up the Cowboys in the 2009 playoffs.
Memorable Moments[edit]
- In 1975, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to the Twin Cities for a Divisional Playoff game. The Vikings looked to have the game wrapped-up with a late lead 14-10. However, Roger Staubach chucked a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson in what became known as the Hail Mary game. In many ways, the game symbolized the franchises histories; the Vikings losing in heart-breaking fashion and the Cowboys finding a way to glory.
- In 1989, the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys were part of the largest player trade in NFL history, called the Herschel Walker trade. The Vikings received Herschel Walker and three picks from the Cowboys in exchange for eight picks given to the Cowboys. The Vikings felt it was the last piece needed to make a Super Bowl run. Instead, the trade catapulted the Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins in the 1990s; the Vikings won none with Walker. It is thus considered one of the worst trades in NFL history.
- In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings played the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Randy Moss famously had three touchdowns in a 46-36 thriller. It was in many ways the introduction to the world of his talents given the stage of the game.
- In the 1999 playoffs, the Cowboys traveled to the Metrodome for a key wild-card playoff game. The Vikings would win 27-10. Vikings quarterback Jeff George outplayed Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman in the game.
- In 2010, Dallas traveled to the Metrodome for the NFC Divisional playoff game with the 13-3 Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings steamrolled the Cowboys 34-3 on four Brett Favre touchdowns. Late in the game, Cowboys player Keith Brooking was seen arguing with Vikings coaches because he believed the Vikings were running up the score. Cowboys head-coach Wade Phillips also believed Minnesota's late game aggression was uncalled for. The Vikings went on to lose the NFC Championship game 31-28 to the New Orleans Saints.
- In 2016, the Cowboys traveled to US Bank Stadium for their first game in the new stadium on Thursday Night Football. The Cowboys were rolling at 10-1 while the Vikings had fallen from an early 5-0 start. The Cowboys held on for a 17-15 victory as a late two-point conversion from Sam Bradford failed. The Cowboys went on to finish 13-3 with the number one overall seed in the playoffs.
- In 2019, the Vikings traveled to AT&T Stadium for a primetime Sunday Night Football game. The Vikings jumped out to a 14-0 lead on two Kirk Cousins touchdowns before the Cowboys fought back to take a 21-20 lead. The Vikings would win 28-24 with the Cowboys twice threatening the end-zone late in the game. Cowboys head-coach Jason Garrett was heavily criticized for late game play-calling. The Vikings went on to finish 10-6 with a playoff appearance while the Cowboys missed the playoffs at 8-8 with Jason Garrett being let go. This was considered one the best games of the 2019 season.
- In 2021, the Cowboys played the Vikings on Sunday Night Football for Halloween. The Cowboys were without their starting quarterback, Dak Prescott. Backup Cooper Rush led a game-winning drive on the Vikings, connecting with Amari Cooper for a late go-ahead touchdown. The Cowboys won 20-16 and kept their dream season in 2021 alive. This represented the fourth Cowboys win the 2010s in which the Vikings had blown a late lead. In 2013, Tony Romo completed a go-ahead pass with 35 seconds left in the game. In 2016, the Vikings blew a fourth-quarter lead against the 10-1 Cowboys. And in 2020, Andy Dalton led the Cowboys to victory over the Vikings with a late touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz.
Game results[edit]
| Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings Season-by-Season Results |
|---|
1960s (Cowboys, 4–0)
|
1970s (Cowboys, 5–4)
|
1980s (Vikings, 3–1)
|
1990s (Tie, 3–3)
|
2000s (Vikings, 3–1)
|
2010s (Cowboys, 4–2)
|
Summary of Results
|
See Also[edit]
- Hail Mary Pass
- Herschel Walker trade
References[edit]
- ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (September 17, 2021). "Seven 1970s rivalries that made the NFL 'super': Steelers-Raiders takes top spot". CBS.
Further reading[edit]
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