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The Dallas Cowboys will look to continue to play at an elite level when they take on the host Minnesota Vikings in a key NFC matchup on Sunday Night Football. After dropping the season opener to the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Cowboys (5-1) have been on fire. Of their five wins, two have been against NFC East opponents and neither was close, defeating Philadelphia by 20 points and the New York Giants by 24. The Vikings (3-3), meanwhile, appear to be back on track after starting the season 1-3. Minnesota has won two of three home games, including wins over Detroit and Seattle.

Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Minnesota is a three-point favorite in the latest Cowboys vs. Vikings odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 51. Before you make any Vikings vs. Cowboys picks or NFL predictions, make sure you check out what SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White has to say.

White, a CBS Sports fantasy and gambling editor, ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It's no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world's most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest. In addition, White is 37-17-3 on his last 57 against the spread picks involving the Vikings. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, White has zeroed in on Cowboys vs. Vikings and locked in his expert NFL picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see all of White's SNF picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Vikings vs. Cowboys:

  • Vikings vs. Cowboys spread: Minnesota -3
  • Vikings vs. Cowboys over-under: 51 points 
  • Vikings vs. Cowboys money line: Dallas +140, Minnesota -160 
  • DAL: The Cowboys are 6-0 against the spread in their last six games overall 
  • MIN: The Vikings are 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 games

Why the Cowboys can cover

Tight end Dalton Schultz has elevated his play this season and is second on the team in receptions with 31 for 359 yards (11.6 average) and three touchdowns. Schultz has four explosive plays of 20 yards or more and has converted 19 first downs. He has five or more catches in five of six games this season, including five in a row. In his last meeting against Minnesota, he had a receiving touchdown. His best game this season was a six-catch, 80-yard and two touchdown performance against Philadelphia on Sept. 27.

Dallas not only has been potent on offense, but its defense is much improved over last season. One of the reasons is cornerback Trevon Diggs, who became the second player since 1970 with seven interceptions in his team's first six games of the season. The other is Hall of Famer Rod Woodson. Diggs is also the second player of the Super Bowl era (Brian Russell in 2003) with an interception in each of his team's first six games of the season.

Why the Vikings can cover 

Despite that, Dallas is not a lock to cover the Vikings vs. Cowboys spread. That's because Minnesota is always tough to beat at home. The Vikings are 2-1 at U.S. Bank Stadium this season and have compiled a 51-24 mark at home since 2012. Minnesota is 5-2 over the past seven home games against Dallas, including two postseason matchups. The Vikings have won eight of the past 12 games in the series.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is coming off a big game in a 34-28 overtime win over Carolina in Week 6. Cousins passed for a season-high 373 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions for a 112.6 rating. He has 20 career games with 300 or more passing yards, three touchdown passes and a 110 or better passer rating. That's the most by a quarterback over his first 10 seasons in NFL history.

How to make Cowboys vs. Vikings picks

For Sunday Night Football, White is leaning under on the point total. He also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the Cowboys vs. Vikings spread a must-back. White is only sharing his Cowboys vs. Vikings picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Cowboys vs. Vikings on Sunday Night Football? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cowboys vs. Vikings spread you need to jump on, all from the expert who returned nearly $1,800 to $100 players in the last 57 Minnesota games, and find out.