Cowboys Up: Surging Vikes Settle In At Home For 3 Straight

MINNEAPOLIS -- AP -- The Minnesota Vikings stumbled into their bye with a 1-5 record. That was their low-water mark of four games under the .500 mark for the first time in coach Mike Zimmer's seven seasons. Less than a month later, the Vikings are 4-5 with a legitimate path to the playoffs if they can maintain this post-bye momentum.

They host Dallas on Sunday, their first of three straight home games against losing teams. The Cowboys are 2-7 and aiming for a similar post-bye bounce. They've lost four straight games but remain well in the NFC East race.