Thursday Night Football Prediction

The Cowboys have one of the top offenses in the league while the Vikings have one of the top defenses. Something will have to give and with the game in Minnesota on national TV, we are leaning towards the Vikings in a mini upset.

Both teams started off hot but since Week 5, the Cowboys have continued to surge while the Vikings have come back down to Earth. The Vikings were rather unlucky in their games against the Lions and we feel they should be 8-3 instead of 6-5. If so, then no way the Vikings are a 3 point underdog at home but that is the reality for tonight's game. Also, the four of the Vikings last 6 games have been on the road (all of them losses) and the Vikings last three losses were by 6 or fewer points. That might explain their recent slide.

At home, however, the Vikings are 4-1 and to be getting 3 points (in some cases you can get 3.5 points depending on your sportsbook) for a nationally televised game is very good value. The GE model also loves the Vikings as they are favored to win by 1.15 points.

When you think about it, playing at home on national TV is a big deal and to be an underdog just adds more fuel to the fire. US Bank Stadium has quickly become a feared place to play with crowd noise and this will be a big test for Dak Prescott and company. The Vikings front 7 is very solid and should be able to contain Zeke and any thing else the Cowboys bring to the table.

We know Mike Zimmer won't be coaching due to having emergency eye surgery but we think the Vikings will be fine with two other former head coaches on the coaching staff. This is a veteran squad and they will be playing with some emotion knowing that their head coach can't be on the sideline tonight.

It also helps that Stefon Diggs will be back who is Minnesota's best offensive weapon and a very good one.

We say take the Vikings and even consider the over. Our prediction based on the GE model is Minnesota 24 - Dallas 23 with the Vikings kicking a field goal late in the game to seal the victory.