Leroy Hoard has given the Vikings a smash-mouth running game.

The Vikings' talent remains phenomenal. Offensively, they still have one of the most explosive teams in football. As quarterback Jeff George continues to grow in the offense, he will only get better and continue to play solid football. I'm still concerned about the Minnesota defense, which has been neither reliable nor dominant. If the Vikings intend to go deep into the playoffs, their defense must improve.

The Cowboys are playing good football, but they should be in much better shape than they are now. As much as I respect the job Chan Gailey has done, he must do more things offensively to dictate matchups for his personnel. He is playing much too conservatively. He has enough talent to create matchups for his players and be more aggressive in calling plays.

If Gailey continues to play the same way, the Cowboys will lose more games they should win. Look at the games against the Giants and the Eagles. They should have beaten up on them, but the Cowboys let them hang around. Dallas didn't put a stake in their hearts and ended up losing.

If they play conservative with a lead against the Vikings, the Cowboys will lose because I expect this to be a high-scoring game, one that should be fun to watch with matchups like Deion Sanders covering Randy Moss.

Here are the keys to Monday night's game for each team:

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

50-50 chances: On Thanksgiving Day at Dallas last year, the Vikings had five touchdown plays of 50 yards or longer. This season, Minnesota has just four plays of 50 yards or more in their eight games. Mr. Smith goes up the chart: Emmitt Smith is averaging 86.9 yards per game this season. If he reaches his average on Monday night, he will pass Eric Dickerson for third place on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Randy not as dandy: Last season, Randy Moss led the league with 17 touchdown receptions, setting a rookie record. He caught scoring passes in 11 of 16 regular-season games. This season, he has reached the end zone in only three of eight games.

Dallas Cowboys
1. On the attack: Against the Colts, the Cowboys failed to attack down the field, and it clearly hurt them. They played not to lose and lost. An example: With 1:11 left in the first half and a 17-6 lead, the Cowboys had three timeouts left and a first down on their own 23-yard line. Their first play gained seven yards, but then they opted to kill the clock. Any you chance you have to score points, you have to take advantage of it. When you have a team down, especially one like the Colts or the Vikings, you have to try to score. They didn't even try, and that concerns me.

They need to use the speed of Rocket Ismail, one of the fastest players in the league. If they can run Rocket down the middle and clear out the free safety, that will leave a void in the middle. That approach works even better with a solid running back like Emmitt Smith. The linebackers will respect the running game and won't get deep buzzes on the receivers. If the Cowboys don't attack down the field, it will be a mistake against Minnesota.

2. Get Mills involved: Ernie Mills isn't a great receiver, but he is solid and can get open. They need to get him more looks in the offense. If the Cowboys don't throw deep to Ismail, Mills should be open for Troy Aikman in the intermediate areas. He would be a better option than a three-yard gain on a dump-off pass. The Cowboys' first option now is the short game instead of downfield.

3. Quick strikes on George: What stands out about the Cowboys defense is quickness. The Dallas defenders are good athletes and playmakers, but they lack a pure pass rusher. Against George, the Cowboys need to flash in front of him quickly to make him move. He will break down and go away from what he wants to do with the football by design.

Kavika Pittman, Alonzo Spellman or Greg Ellis must get quick pressure on George. The Cowboys have yet to show that ability, but in this game it will be critical. If they can't get pressure from their front four, they will have to blitz linebackers and safeties, leading to poor matchups in the secondary.

Minnesota Vikings
1. Spread 'em: What the Vikings like to do is spread the field and create matchups that favor their personnel. The Colts did a nice job last week of finding mismatches against the Dallas defense. I expect the same thing from the Vikings -- spreading the field, using Moss, Jake Reed and Cris Carter, and bringing in Matt Hatchette, Robert Tate or Chris Walsh for their four-receiver looks. Dallas is vulnerable when it has to go three or four deep in the secondary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cowboys QB Troy Aikman: Though his MRI showed no damage, Aikman has to be concerned about repeated blows to the head. Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith: Smith has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season, and he needs just two TDs to tie Marcus Allen for second place on the NFL's all-time list. Cowboys CB Deion Sanders: The 11-year veteran was burned for a touchdown last week by the AFC's top young gun, Marvin Harrison. How will he do this week in his first meeting with the NFC's top young gun, Randy Moss? Vikings QB Jeff George: With seven TD passes in the last 2+ games, George appears to be the solution to offensive coordinator Ray Sherman's problems. Vikings WR Randy Moss: In his last game against Dallas, Moss caught three TD passes of 50 yards or more. Of course, Dallas was without Sanders, who was sidelined with a toe injury. Vikings DE John Randle: With 99 career sacks, Randle is looking to reach the century mark.

I actually thought Deion Sanders struggled last week. I'm not sure if he is 100 percent healthy or if his toe injury has taken a step away from him. There was separation on a number of routes, not only from Marvin Harrison, but from Terrence Wilkins as well. The Colts attacked Deion, and I think the Vikings will do the same thing.

When the Vikings go to three or four receivers, the Cowboys use strong safety Darren Woodson in coverage against a slot receiver, a matchup that should favor the Vikings. The Colts were effective in isolating that matchup and attacking Woodson. The Vikings will do the same with Hatchette as the speed receiver out of the slot.

2. Balancing act: Since George has gotten the starting job, the Vikings have tried for more offensive balance. They are playing more two-tight end sets and doing more power running with Leroy Hoard. One reason for this approach is that the Vikings, while also wanting to score points, want to control the clock and the ball. Their defense has not been consistent, so they are playing offense more to protect the defense, which I think is a very astute move.

Hoard brings an attitude and toughness to the Vikings' game. Robert Smith is also an outstanding back, but has more of a finesse running style. Hoard is a physical, tough runner who will bowl over people. With their strong offensive line, Hoard is a good fit for the Vikings' power running game.

3. Pressure's on: The Vikings need to get pressure on Aikman. Bringing back players like Jerry Ball and Chris Doleman throws up a red flag that the Vikings are struggling defensively. John Randle must come through with a strong pass rush because the secondary is incapable of covering for more than three or four seconds. Jimmy Hitchcock is still playing pretty good football at left cornerback, but the Cowboys will attack Kenny Wright, the right corner, and backup Chris Rogers, who will cover the slot receiver in nickel coverage.

Ed McDaniel and Dwayne Rudd, two of the league's outstanding linebackers, are playing terrific football. Strong safety Robert Griffith is having another All-Pro kind of year. They have covered up for some of the secondary mistakes.

Former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski appears each week on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown and Edge NFL Matchup. He breaks down the Monday Night Football matchup each week on ESPN.com.