Cowboys (4-3) at Vikings (4-4)
9 p.m. ET, ABC
No line
Preview | Baxter's Bits | War Room Preview
Ron Jaworski's Monday night breakdown
Inside the Vikings' playbook

Why to watch:
While these teams are right in the thick of the NFC playoff race, they appear headed in opposite directions. Dallas has lost three of its last four following a 3-0 start, including last week's 34-24 defeat at Indianapolis in which the Cowboys quickly squandered a 17-3 lead. The Vikings have won two in a row since inserting Jeff George as their starting quarterback in place of Randall Cunningham. Minnesota edged Denver 23-20 last week after blowing out San Francisco in Week 7.

This marks the second consecutive season in which these teams are meeting in front of a national-television audience. The Vikings came to Texas Stadium and whipped the Cowboys 46-36 last Thanksgiving Day. That game served as a coming-out party of sorts for Vikings WR Randy Moss, who caught three TD passes of at least 50 yards. Of course, Cowboys CB Deion Sanders didn't play in that contest, so all eyes will be on the anticipated matchup between the second-year receiver and one of the game's best cover men.

	MORE COVERAGE
	ABC MNF Online MNF Scouting Report

Who to watch:
Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith needs to run for 86 yards to pass Eric Dickerson for No. 3 on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Cowboys QB Troy Aikman, who is probable despite a head injury he suffered last week, did not throw a TD pass in the loss at Indianapolis. That marked the third time in four weeks that Aikman hasn't had a scoring toss since WR Michael Irvin was injured in Week 5 at Philadelphia. Cowboys WR Rocket Ismail had just four catches for 31 yards last week, but he's averaging 67.3 receiving yards per game as the No. 1 target since Irvin was injured. Ismail and No. 2 WR Ernie Mills will look to pick up the offense against a Minnesota defense that ranks No. 29 against the pass. Second-year DE Greg Ellis leads Dallas with five sacks.

Vikings WR Cris Carter has caught four TD passes in his last three games. If the Cowboys put Sanders on Moss and roll the rest of their coverage toward Carter, Vikings WR Jake Reed should find room to get open. Sanders didn't look like the Deion of old last week in Indy, so Moss will likely attack this matchup. Vikings QB Jeff George has completed 60 percent of his passes with seven TD passes and only two interceptions. Vikings RB Leroy Hoard, who is starting in place of the injured Robert Smith, is averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Vikings MLB Ed McDaniel will be charged with shutting down Smith and the Dallas' ground game.

Cowboys' numbers to know:
Despite the presence of Sanders, Dallas ranks 22nd in the NFL against the pass. The Cowboys have given up an average of 221.1 passing yards per contest. That could be bad news against a Vikings' air attack that ranks No. 5 in the league at 252.8 yards per game.

Vikings' numbers to know:
Minnesota has turned the ball over just once in its last two games after making 16 turnovers in its first six games. The big difference is George has thrown just two interceptions, while Cunningham threw nine picks in his six starts.

INJURY REPORT

Cowboys: OUT: WR Michael Irvin (neck); WR Wane McGarity (shoulder); S Kenny Wheaton (knee). QUESTIONABLE: CB Kevin Mathis (hamstring); S George Teague (neck). PROBABLE: QB Troy Aikman (head); WR Raghib Ismail (back); CB Deion Sanders (hamstring); RB Emmitt Smith (back); C Mark Stepnoski (back). Vikings: OUT: DE John Burrough (ankle); RB Robert Smith (abdomen). PROBABLE: T Matt Birk (thumb); TE Carlester Crumpler (ribs); QB Jeff George (finger); TE Jim Kleinsasser (shoulder); CB Kenny Wright (arm).

What it means:
The Cowboys' recent slump has dropped them into third place in the NFC East, a game back of the Redskins and a half-game back of the Giants. Dallas needs to pull out of its tailspin now, and a big victory at Minnesota would go a long way toward getting the Cowboys back in the saddle. Plus, Dallas will look to atone for that embarrassing loss to the Vikings on Turkey Day in '98.

The Vikings have climbed from last place to third in the NFC Central, and the Purple Gang is now just a half-game behind the second-place Packers and 1½ games behind the front-running Lions. Minnesota can climb back above the .500 mark and establish that this team is back among the NFC's heavyweights.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Cowboys' game plan:
Dallas needs to get more production from the tight end and more consistency from its receivers. If the Cowboys played against the Redskins every week, they would look like Pro Bowlers. But the Cowboys' whole game plan revolves around physically manhandling the other team up front and handing the ball to Smith. The Cowboys will run the ball, run the ball some more and hit the Vikings with play-action passes.

The Cowboys should be able to have their way with the Minnesota defense because the Vikings aren't big across their defensive line, and they have been ineffective in the secondary. Aikman will use the play-action fake a lot. But Dallas needs to establish the run first. The Cowboys should run some misdirection plays against an aggressive Minnesota defense and some bootlegs, getting Aikman to make throws out on the edge. Robert Griffith is one of the most aggressive safeties in the league, which bodes well for the Cowboys to use the play-action fake and get favorable secondary matchups.

While the Vikings have shown a better running game of late with Hoard in the backfield, the Cowboys defense must stop Moss. If defensive coordinator Dave Campo lets Moss catch three long touchdown passes like he did last year, he will probably fire himself. The Cowboys have somewhat of an advantage here; they can have Sanders singled up on Moss and roll the rest of their coverage to take away Carter. That strategy will limit George's choices and give time for the Cowboys pass rush to get in his face.

Vikings' game plan:
The Minnesota offense is finally starting to pick up a bit. The Vikings' weapons are so potent. I like the production they are getting from Hoard. Robert Smith gives the Vikings more of a speed threat on the edges, but Hoard runs inside and physically beats on defenses. He runs hard and keeps his legs going. But George can put up some strong numbers against the Cowboys defense, as the Vikings were able to do last year when Moss had a monster game on Thanksgiving day.

The Vikings need to go after Sanders. Not with out cuts and hitches, which Deion can intercept and take the other way for six points. But with more physical routes and double-move go routes. Deion's toe isn't 100 percent, so the Vikings will run digs and curls, plays on which Deion will have to run or push off. The throws can't be late, and they shouldn't be given George's arm strength and quick release.

Defensively, the Vikings' strategy is simple: Stop Emmitt Smith. The Cowboys offense feeds off the ground game. The Vikings need to take chances with their cornerbacks, hoping they can survive in single coverage against Ismail and Mills. With no Irvin, the Vikings can roll their coverage to take away Ismail and the deep ball. If the Cowboys can beat the Vikings with a secondary receiver like Mills, then they deserve to win.

Pivotal Player:
Reed. The Vikings' No. 3 receiver dropped three balls last week. And if the Cowboys have Sanders on Moss and the rest of the coverage geared to stop Carter, Reed should have an opportunity to make some huge plays. If he has a 100-yard receiving day, the Vikings will win.