Last 5 Game Comparison - Boys and Vikings

by mgsmith100 on Jan 13, 2010 8:38 PM CST

Below is a table of key stats for their respective last 5 games, Vikings were 2 and 3 and the Boys were 4 and 1. Look at the score differentials, sacks,third down efficiency, run yards and average per rush, time of possession, turnovers and penalties. Also remember the level of competition that the Vikings played vs. the Boys.

Below is the table:

	Average per game for last 5 games
	Minn	Opponent	Dallas	Opponent
1st Downs	21.4	17.2	23.2	17.2
3rd down efficiency	35%	38%	46%	27%
Total Plays	65.4	58.6	68	58.6
Total Yards	356.8	309.8	415.8	290.6
Passing	257.4	210.6	268.2	235.8
Comp-Att	66%	63%	66%	60%
Yards per pass	7.22	6.62	7.86	6.24
Rushing	99.4	99.2	147.6	54.8
Rushing Attempts	27.2	25.8	32	17
Yards per rush	3.5	3.86	4.58	3.56
Red Zone % scored	67%	62%	53%	56%
Penalties - Yards	6.1 - 51	8 - 62	8 - 66	5.8 - 51
Turnovers	1.4	1	0.6	2
Fumbles lost	0.6	0.6	0.2	1.2
Interceptions thrown	0.8	0.4	0.4	0.8
Possession	31:46:00	29:23:00	36:16:00	23:33:24
Sacks	1.6	2.4	3.4	1.8
Scores	25.6	21.8	23.2	10.2

Some of the conclusions are:

Dallas is a first rate defense, Vikings are just pedestrian in allowing scoring.
Vikings third down rate is middling, Cowboys are off the charts
Dallas is averaging 125 yards more than their opponents, Vikings 45 yards, This is also reflected in the scoring differential (offense vs. defense)
Vikings rushing average per game and rush is very mediocre, Boys fantastic
It looks like the passing is about even. Does this reflect the recent trend of Favre audibling out of run plays to pass plays.
Time of possession is favoring the Boys, due to short passing and great running.
Sacks and turnovers also favor the Boys pretty heavily.
The Boys penalties are still bad, Vikings a lot better.
Boys are much worse in the red zone, I think reflecting penalties, field goal kicking and untimely sacks.

I was very much surprised about the running differential, 3rd down efficiency and sacks. I do not think this will guarantee a win, but it is an indicator. The key to the game is holding on to the ball, wild Romo throws and a fast start.

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Comments

The amazing thing is that we’re better in stats while 4 of our last 5 games were against playoff teams, while the last playoff team the Vikings played was Cincinnati in week 14. The Vikings didn’t lose a single game at home this year but 3 of those games were decided by one posession. The last competitive game they won was against Cincinnati.

by jack dein on Jan 13, 2010 9:40 PM CST reply actions

I try to take that last 2 wins with a LARGE grain of salt

While those are definitely interesting stats, 2 of the Cowboys wins included in those numbers came against a team that matched up really poorly against us. Similar to how the Giants swept us this year, sometimes teams just have the other team’s number. While I do not deny that we played excellent games the previous two games, I feel that had it been another opponent one of those games, some of the stats might not be so skewed.

It’s also been proven again and again that past performance doesn’t necessarily plot future results, especially in football with two teams that have as much skill as the Vikings and Cowboys. A stellar performance by any player can change the entire game.

Having said that, I firmly believe that, barring an appalling performance by the Cowboys, we will beat the Vikings. Go COWBOYS! :-)

by ihtanni on Jan 13, 2010 10:00 PM CST reply actions

Giants Vikings Game

If you take the last two with a grain of salt, you need to take the last game of the Vikings with two grains of salt as New York laid down for them. At least Philidelphia was a playoff team

by mgsmith100 on Jan 14, 2010 8:41 AM CST up reply actions

I like the work you've put into this...

but I don’t know how much it means in the long run.

Still an interesting rundown. Great write up.

by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Jan 13, 2010 10:45 PM CST reply actions

What it means

You could make a case that the Vikings were like the Cowboys from two years ago and todays Cowboys are like the Giants of 2007. Vikings have a better record but are only playing mediocre for the last few games as the today Cowboys have a lesser record but have greater momentum. The moral of the story is momentum is a better indicator of post season strength than a regular season record.

by mgsmith100 on Jan 14, 2010 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah I get that...

but that’s yet to be seen how they’ll play now. I think Dallas wins, but I hate comparing teams that are different.

by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Jan 14, 2010 8:56 AM CST up reply actions

I posted this a couple days ago- directly relating to this post.

We allowed less than 16 points a game this season. We played high powered offenses such as: San Diego, the Saints, and The Eagles twice in the last 5 weeks. Against those teams we only allowed 50 points (10 ppg), while scoring 119 (23.2 ppg). Thats 4 out of 5 games against playoff teams only losing one, all considered high powered offensive teams.

Vikings defense allowed more than 19 points a game this season. Your last 5 matchups were Cardinals, Bengals, Panthers, Bears and Giants. You went 1-1 against the playoff teams defeating Cinci while losing to Arizona. They went 1-2 against the other three teams defeating the Giants. Against those teams you allowed 103 points (20.6 ppg), while scoring 128 (25.6 ppg) largely in part to the 44-7 Giants shellacking.

We are peaking on defense right now AND our offense is clicking. I could care less about the past, the best reflection is the recent games. 5 games is even a stretch.

Marine by trade, Cowboys fan by birth.

Speak not with your mouth, but through your actions.

by Mac_24 on Jan 13, 2010 10:49 PM CST reply actions

Their last five matchups

sorry meant to edit that too

Marine by trade, Cowboys fan by birth.

Speak not with your mouth, but through your actions.

by Mac_24 on Jan 13, 2010 10:52 PM CST reply actions

3rd down conversions for our O have been huge

If they keep converting 40 +% it’s hard to stop them.

On the other side, the Minn. offense will be the first balanced offense-these stats notwithstanding, that the Boys have faced lately. The other teams were all pass, no run.

Maybe Minn. played poorly at the end, but w/a guy like AP, their is no cheating, like you can w/ SD, NO, and especially the Eagles. Hey, if any of those teams wanted to hand it off, fine!
I’m curious to see how the D stacks up against a team that can both pass and run…..

Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009

by Realist Larry on Jan 13, 2010 11:45 PM CST reply actions