This story is about Published Nov. 2016

Scouting the Vikings: Dak Prescott better prepare for toughest pass defense he's ever seen Share This Story On... Twitter

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Getty Images PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates his interception with teammates Terence Newman #23 and Jayron Kearse #27 during the first quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Vikings 21-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

By Rick Gosselin , Special Contributor Contact Rick Gosselin on Twitter: @RickGosselin9

The Cowboys invested draft picks and salary-cap dollars in the offensive line, and it's paying huge dividends with three Pro Bowlers and the best rushing attack in the NFC. The Minnesota Vikings invested their picks and money in the defensive backfield, and it's also paying dividends. Defense has been the backbone of Minnesota's surprising playoff contention without starting quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater) and running back (Adrian Peterson). And it's what the Vikings (6-5) accomplish on passing downs that has them in the chase for a NFC North title. Mike Zimmer, who coordinated a No. 1-ranked defense with the Cowboys under Bill Parcells and is now head coach of the Vikings, decided the way to win in a passing league is to shut down the pass. And he is succeeding.

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The Cowboys will put their 10-game winning streak on the line Thursday night against the best pass defense rookie quarterback Dak Prescott will have faced this season. The Vikings rank third in the NFL against the pass (206.8 yards per game) and fourth in overall defense (307 yards per game). The Vikings are allowing offenses to complete only 57.9 percent of their passes, third best in the NFL, and they are holding quarterbacks to a 74.3 efficiency rate, second best in the league. The Vikings are fifth in passing touchdowns allowed (13) and third in interceptions (12). But the Vikings should be this efficient. They drafted three defensive backs -- Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith (2012), cornerback Xavier Rhodes (2013) and cornerback Trae Waynes (2015) -- in the first round. The Vikings signed Terence Newman, a first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2003, in free agency. He followed Zimmer from Cincinnati to Minnesota in 2015. Minnesota also signed Captain Munnerlyn, one of the league's best slot corners, away from the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Rhodes has the size (6-1, 218) to match up against Dez Bryant, Munnerlyn the shiftiness to challenge Cole Beasley and Waynes the 4.31 speed to track Brice Butler or Terrance Williams. Newman chips in the veteran savvy to win mind games with quarterbacks. At 38, the two-time Pro Bowler is the oldest defensive player in the league. That coverage unit is supported by a pass rush that ranks seventh in the NFL with 28 sacks. The Vikings collected eight sacks against Cam Newton and the Panthers, five against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and four apiece against the Texans and Bears. Edge rushers Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison have combined for 181 /2 sacks.

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Minnesota has not allowed a 100-yard receiver. The Vikings are the only NFL team that has not allowed a 100-yard receiver. The last player to collect 100 yards in a game against the Vikings was Green Bay's James Jones, who caught four passes for 102 yards in the 2015 season finale. The Vikings have allowed only eight touchdown receptions by wide receivers. Running backs have three and tight ends two. Minnesota also is one of four NFL defenses that has not allowed a 300-yard passing game. The Vikings held Eli Manning and Cam Newton without a touchdown pass in consecutive games. The best game by a wide receiver against Minnesota this season was an 11-catch, 79-yard performance by Detroit's Golden Tate. The Vikings held Odell Beckham Jr. to three catches for 23 yards, Larry Fitzgerald six catches for 63 yards, Alshon Jeffery four catches for 63 yards and DeAndre Hopkins five catches for 56 yards. Prescott has brought his A game all season to the Dallas offense. He's completing 67.9 percent of his passes and ranks fourth in passing efficiency at 108.6. He throws for touchdowns (18) and not interceptions (two). But he hasn't seen a pass defense quite like this one yet in his young career. Listen to Rick Gosselin at 10:50 a.m. Tuesdays on Sportsradio 1310 AM/96.7 FM The Ticket with Norm Hitzges and Donovan Lewis, and follow @RickGosselinDMN on Twitter.

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