Every Wednesday morning, beat writer Matt Vensel will share five Vikings stats that actually mean something heading into that weekend's game.
157.3 — rushing yards per game for the Cowboys so far this season
The Cowboys, with rookie sensation Ezekiel Elliott running the rock behind an offensive line that Mike Zimmer said is the best he's seen in a long while, rank second in the NFL in rushing, trailing the Bills by only one total yard. The Cowboys have averaged 157.3 rushing yards per game. That is more than double the average of the Vikings, who are dead last in the NFL at 71.1 rushing yards per game. They are averaging 2.8 yards per carry, two yards fewer per run than the Cowboys, who rank third in the NFL in that stat.
4 — games out of the past six the Vikings allowed 100 rushing yards
Elliott, the No. 4 overall pick from this year's draft who leads the NFL with 1,199 rushing yards, could be in for another big game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday night. They have allowed opponents to rush for at least 94 yards in each of their past six games and their opponent reached triple digits in four of those games. As a result, the Vikings have dropped to 14th in the league in rushing defense, giving up an average of 100.2 per game. Only 12 teams are allowing more yards per carry.
45 — catches for wide receiver Adam Thielen, easily his career high
With top wideout Stefon Diggs out of the lineup, Thielen had a career-high eight catches in last week's loss to the Lions. Thielen now has 45 catches for 571 yards this season. Both are career highs. Thielen has been one of the most productive undrafted pass-catchers in the NFL this season, according to Vikings PR. Thielen, the former Minnesota State Mankato standout, is fourth among undrafted receivers in catches. The leader there? That would be Cowboys slot receiver Cole Beasley, who has snagged 58 passes.
117 — receiving yards totaled by Lions slot receivers last week
