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[rotoworld-yahoopartner]

Dose: Cowboys Hold Off Vikings

The Dallas Cowboys moved another step closer to claiming the NFC’s top seed as Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford’s late two-point conversion pass attempt sailed well out of the end zone, preserving a 17-15 win for the now 11-1 Cowboys.

The Minnesota Vikings dropped to 6-6 with the loss, as Bradford threw the ball 45 times and completed 32 passes for only 247 yards in another conservative effort. Tight end Kyle Rudolph was stuffed with targets, hauling in half of his 12 chances for 45 yards on the night. Adam Thielen kept his quietly useful fantasy season rolling, with seven catches on nine targets for 86 yards in the losing effort. The Vikings did welcome the return of WR Stefon Diggs (knee) after the speedy receiver missed Week 12, and Diggs caught all eight of his targets on Thursday night for 59 yards. Big plays were hard to come by in the Minnesota passing game, with Bradford averaging a paltry 5.5 yards per pass attempt.

Dallas continued to roll on Thursday night, but needed 10 fourth quarter points to take control of the game after trailing 9-7 with 14 minutes remaining. Dak Prescott was 12/18 for 139 yards and one touchdown in a quiet evening, as the Cowboys relied upon their studly rookie running back to lead the way. Ezekiel Elliott turned 20 carries into 86 yards and a score, while adding four grabs for 19 yards in the receiving game. Elliott was the focal point of the Dallas offense as normal, touching the ball 24 times while Prescott threw just 18 passes. The only notable contributor in the Dallas passing attack was Dez Bryant, who snared four of six targets for 84 yards and even tossed up the “X” for fantasy owners with a fourth quarter touchdown. Volume will be hard to come by in the Dallas offense, but Dez is making the most of his chances with 88 yards per game and four touchdowns over the last four weeks.

Cowboys at Vikings Quick Slants

Jason Witten turned in a goose egg on Thursday in a target-less effort. Witten will be susceptible to low volume nights like this in Dallas. … Jerick McKinnon scored a late receiving touchdown and scraped together 55 total yards on 14 touches. He remains locked in a split with Matt Asiata and is untrustworthy in fantasy leagues as a part of Minnesota’s NFL-worst running game. … Dak Prescott showed off his wheels, picking up critical gains throughout the game with his legs on the way to 37 rushing yards. … Rookie WR Laquon Treadwell was held catchless on two targets as his slow opening campaign continues. … Cole Beasley managed two catches on four targets and was one of just four players targeted by Prescott on the night.

In Other News…

Rob Gronkowski’s injury-filled 2016 campaign officially came to an end on Thursday, as news emerged that the star tight end will undergo back surgery on Friday. The Patriots and Gronkowski’s family released a statement on the Patriots’ website announcing that Gronk will likely miss the remainder of the 2016 season, but a final determination will be made after Friday’s surgery. Gronk was extremely productive while on the field this season, and dominated defenses like normal during a four-week span in October when he was at his healthiest. In Weeks 5-8, Gronkowski averaged 118.3 receiving yards per game while scoring three touchdowns and averaging an absurd 22.5 yards per reception. The Patriots will certainly miss Gronkowski’s playmaking skills, but Martellus Bennett should serve as a respectable replacement. Fantasy owners in redraft leagues can sadly click the “drop” button and begin the solemn, impossible hunt for a Gronk replacement.

The fantasy tight end position continued to take body blows on Thursday, when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jordan Reed (shoulder) is “unlikely to play” in Week 13. Reed played through a Grade 3 separation of his shoulder on Thanksgiving, but will require additional healing time before making a return to action. Vernon Davis is worth a look for desperate fantasy folks, and produced eight catches for 129 yards and a score in Weeks 6 and 7 when Reed was absent with concussion issues. Let’s hope Reed’s bum shoulder heals before the fantasy playoffs begin in full force in Week 14.

Adrian Peterson’s (knee) potential 2016 return is “not certain” according to ProFootballTalk. While reports of Peterson running and working “ahead of schedule” have surfaced recently, the Minnesota ground game will likely continue to flounder for the rest of the season as Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata handle the Vikings’ backfield work. Minnesota currently owns the NFL’s worst rushing attack, averaging 72.4 yards per game and 2.96 yards per carry through Thursday night’s loss to Dallas.

Quick Slants

Mark Ingram (toe) has yet to practice this week and is becoming a risky bet to play in Week 13. Fire up Tim Hightower everywhere if Ingram is forced to sit. … Tyrell Williams (shoulder) did not practice on Thursday and his Week 13 status is now in serious doubt. Dontrelle Inman would get a boost in Williams’ absence. … T.Y. Hilton (back) practiced on Wednesday but was held out on Thursday, putting his Week 13 status in limbo. More news should surface on Friday about Hilton’s chances of playing on Monday. … Ryan Mathews (knee) missed practice on Thursday and the Eagles will likely rely on Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles again on Sunday against Cincinnati. … Chris Ivory (hamstring) has not practiced this week and is reportedly “unlikely” to play in Week 13. T.J. Yeldon would see an increase in work this week if Ivory sits, but this is an unappealing spot for fantasy owners. … Andrew Luck (concussion, shoulder) was limited on Thursday but is expected to play on Monday night against the Jets. Scott Tolzien would make another start if Luck is unable to return. … Trevor Siemian (foot) has not practiced this week and is still in a walking boot. Paxton Lynch will draw the start if Siemian is held out, but stay tuned over the weekend for more details. … Jeremy Maclin (groin) was limited on Thursday at practice and his chances of returning to the field for the first time since Week 9 remain murky. Check back over the weekend. … Theo Riddick (ankle) is going through his weekly “limited” routine and should be good for Sunday. … Sammy Watkins (foot) practiced on Thursday but is still looking at a questionable snap count as Sunday approaches. Watkins remains a risky fantasy option. … Jay Cutler (shoulder) has season-ending shoulder surgery planned for Saturday. The Bears offense remains Jordan Howard and little else that will excite fantasy owners.