Cowboys 21 Vikings 24

The 'Game of the week' took place in Minnesota this week, when the 1 - 3 Vikings and the 1 - 3 Cowboys came up against one another.  Only 5 % of teams that have started 1 - 4 have ever made the playoffs since the new playoff system was bought in 20 years ago.  This game was therefore nicknamed the 'Panic Bowl' by reporters in both Minnesota and Dallas.  Both teams were seen as potential Superbowl contenders in the pre season, but which of them would be in a huge hole after just 6 weeks.

In the first half Cowboys QB Tony Romo moved the offence up and down the field connecting with WR Roy Williams for 2 TD's (15, 2 yards).  Between these 2 TD's Vikings QB Brett Farve found WR Greg Camarillo for a 10 yard TD.  Romo had a decent game for the Cowboys, throwing for 220 yards and 3 TD's.  He did though have 2 INT's, and the Cowboys could not get the running game going.  RB's Felix Jones and Marion Barber only managed 63 yards on the ground, with a long of just 6 yards.  Despite this, the Cowboys led 14 - 7 at half time.

The Cowboys had to kick off for the 2nd half, and back to return was former Florida Gator utility player Percy Harvin.  He took the ball at the 5 yard line, and took it back 95 yards for a TD.  This levelled the score line, but tipped the tide of emotion in the favour of the Vikings.  On their next possession they drove down the field behind the running of Adrian Peterson, who ran for 73 yards.  Peterson finished the drive with a 1 yard run for a TD to give the Vikings the lead.  This seemed like it may be the end of the road for the Cowboys, who once again committed penalty after penalty.  They gave up 11 penalties for 91 yards and teams giving up this kind of yardage cannot win games.  The Cowboys did however manage to get another drive going, and Romo found WR Dez Bryant for a 31 yard TD to level the scores.  There was just 10 mins left, which of these desperate teams could pull this out??

The Vikings went 3 and out on the following possession, and had to punt the ball back to the resurgent Cowboys.  The Cowboys ran the ball twice and got themselves in a 3rd and 2 situation.  Romo dropped back to pass, and looked for his prime target TE Jason Witten.  The ball though never arrived in Witten's hands as Minnesota Vikings MLB E.J Henderson picked the ball off, and lifted the roof off the dome.  The Vikings moved themselves into FG range, and kicker Ryan Longwell hit what turned out to be the winning 3 points.  This was a huge win for the Vikings, one that has put them right back in the hunt for the NFC North following defeats for the Bears and Packers.  The Cowboys are however in huge trouble in the NFC East, will they be able to be one of the 5 % that make the playoffs after starting 1 - 4, something tells me they won't!