The Dallas Cowboys have been playing some great football, and definitely looked like the best team in last weekend’s Wild Card games.  Tony Romo finally got himself a playoff win and I think his confidence will be through the roof in this game.  The Cowboys are going to need another strong performance from Romo, especially since the Vikings have such a good defense.  The Vikings do a great job shutting down the run, so Romo will need to make some good plays through the air.  If Felix Jones can have a game like last weekend, it will make things a whole lot easier.  Marion Barber is probably going to be very limited with a knee injury, so Jones needs to be ready to get a lot of carries.  I don’t think he will have the success he did against the Eagles though, especially since the Vikings hold teams to just 87 rushing yards per game this season.  The Vikings are great at getting to quarterbacks too though, so Romo needs to be ready to use his legs and buy himself some time.  He is great a rolling out to his right and making plays on the move, so I think Romo will be able to handle the Jared Allen led Vikings line.

Brett Favre loves the big stage and will be ready to face the Cowboys strong defense.  Favre is rested, but hopefully rusty after two weeks off.  So, if Favre makes some erratic throws the Cowboys secondary needs to take advantage and try and get some turnovers.  Teams that win the turnover battle win over 80% of the time, so if the Cowboys can get an interception off the old gun-slinging Favre it will be huge.  They also have to worry about Adrian Peterson, but Peterson hasn’t been putting up the numbers he used to.  He hasn’t rushed for over 100 yards since week 10, and the Cowboys are holding teams to 90 rushing yards per game this year, so I think they should be able to contain him.  I expect a close game, and even though the Cowboys are the underdog on the road, I think they are playing great football and will take down Favre and the Vikings.

PREDICTION:  Dallas Cowboys 28, Minnesota Vikings 24