Vikings Aim to Strengthen Late-Season Momentum Against Cowboys in Week 15
On January 28, 1960, the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys became official NFL franchises, marking a significant moment in the league’s history. Dallas entered as the 13th team, while Minnesota was the 14th. The Cowboys played their first season in the same year, while the Vikings began in 1961.
That inaugural preseason for Minnesota was against the Cowboys. Notably, Dallas conducted its training camp at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Vikings held their first training camp in Bemidji State College, approximately 250 miles away. The teams met for a preseason match in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the Cowboys claimed victory with a score of 38-13.
During their inaugural regular season, the Vikings faced the Cowboys twice. In Week 2, Minnesota lost 21-7 in its first road game and later suffered a 28-0 defeat at home, marking their first shutout loss. Both games were historic for Dallas, representing two of their initial three wins, as the Cowboys finished their first season with a record of 0-11-1.
Vikings vs. Cowboys: A Historic Matchup
This Sunday, the Vikings (5-8) will face the Cowboys (6-6-1) in a prime-time showdown on Sunday Night Football. This matchup will add another chapter to the long-standing rivalry.
Notable Statistics
- This will be the fifth meeting between these teams on Sunday Night Football.
- Each team has claimed victory twice in their previous matchups on this stage.
- The Vikings will play their 1,000th regular-season game.
- The Cowboys will participate in their 1,012th regular-season game and their 200th prime-time game since 1970.
The Vikings will join an exclusive group of non-division opponents that have played the Cowboys at least five times in prime-time history, alongside the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints. As both teams prepare for a critical late-season clash, they aim to strengthen their momentum and improve their playoff prospects.
