Cowboys vs. Vikings NFL Odds: How We Price the Drop-Off From Dak Prescott to Cooper Rush

Cowboys vs. Vikings NFL Odds: How We Price the Drop-Off From Dak Prescott to Cooper Rush article feature image
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Getty Images. Pictured: Cowboys QBs Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush

  • Dak Prescott has been ruled out for the Cowboys' Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Our experts reveal how many points Prescott is worth to the spread compared to backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
  • The line has plummeted to Cowboys +4 after it opened as Cowboys -3.

When doubt was cast on Dak Prescott's status for Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys-Vikings spread moved immediately. After opening as a three-point favorite, Dallas found itself as a 2.5-point underdog, with the line even briefly moving to +3 at some sportsbooks (compare real-time NFL odds here).

Prescott is now regarded as a game-time decision. The two-time Pro Bowler is reportedly pushing to play tonight, the NFL Network reported.

He will go through a normal pregame routine at full speed. Then, the organization will make a final call on whether Prescott can play or not.

If Prescott can't suit up, it'll be backup Cooper Rush at the helm. Rush went undrafted out of Central Michigan University in 2017 and has never started an NFL game. In fact, his last game played was in 2017.

This all begs the question: How many points should the odds move based on Prescott's availability? Three of the six experts whose models power our NFL PRO Projections weigh in below.


» What are NFL PRO Projections? We blend the statistical models of six experts to project consensus odds for each NFL game, then use those projections to identify any edges.


How Much Dak Prescott Impacts Cowboys Odds

Stuckey: When evaluating how much any player is worth, you have to look at the drop-off to their replacement. In this case, I rate Rush as six points worse than Prescott.

Travis Reed: My line goes from Cowboys -3 to Vikings -3 if Prescott is ruled out.

Simon Hunter: The Vikings would become 4.5-point favorites if Prescott is out. With Dak in, the Cowboys would be two-point favorites.

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About the Author
Avery Yang is a General Editor at The Action Network and a recent graduate from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He has written for the Washington Post, the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, (the old) Deadspin, MLB.com and others.

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