Cowboys on verge of punching playoff ticket

Vikings have lost five of six since 5-0 start

Here’s a measure of just how good things are going in the Big D. One team can clinch a playoff berth this weekend: the Cowboys.

Dallas visits Minnesota on Thursday night. A victory and either a loss by Washington or a loss/tie by Tampa Bay gets the Cowboys into the post-season parade.

Minnesota’s defence should provide a decent challenge for rookie sensations Ezekiel Elliott, the league’s leading rusher, and quarterback Dak Prescott. If the Vikings can get some sort of penetration through the best offensive line in football, they could have a chance.

But they must steer clear of falling behind against Dallas, something most Cowboys opponents haven’t avoided.

The Cowboys are going for an 11th-straight win since their opening loss to the Giants, whom they take on next week.

Minnesota has fallen on hard times since being the league’s last unbeaten team at 5-0 and now is 6-5 — and a three-point underdog at home.

Dallas takes the first step toward that playoff-clinching.

Cowboys, 24-16 DETROIT (+4½) AT NEW ORLEANS

A somewhat unusual selection for Pro Picks’ Best Bet, but Lions should cover, Saints should win. So ... Best Bet: Saints, 31-29

WASHINGTON (+3) AT ARIZONA

Redskins get the proper amount of rest — and then some — this time. Upset Special: Redskins, 26-21

TAMPA BAY (+3½) AT SAN DIEGO

Far more interesting matchup than it appeared three weeks ago. Chargers, 28-27

INDIANAPOLIS (-1) AT NEW YORK JETS

Far less interesting matchup than ESPN had hoped for on Monday night, as usual. Jets, 24-22

CAROLINA (+6½) AT SEATTLE

A bit less interesting Sunday night matchup than NBC hoped when schedule came out. Seahawks, 23-20

BUFFALO (+3) AT OAKLAND

Raiders showed lots of grit last week, might need it again. Raiders, 23-17

DENVER (-4) AT JACKSONVILLE

Tough spot for Broncos after that war with Chiefs? Probably not. Broncos, 20-10

KANSAS CITY (+4) AT ATLANTA

Tough spot for Chiefs after that war with Broncos? For sure. Falcons, 26-16

HOUSTON (+3½) AT GREEN BAY

Texans seem as if they are chasing Titans despite leading AFC South. Packers, 24-16

LOS ANGELES (+13) AT NEW ENGLAND

Patriots haven’t been real force in past month. That changes here. Patriots, 33-13

PHILADELPHIA (PICK-EM) AT CINCINNATI

Both teams can look to 2017. Eagles, 19-17

MIAMI (+3½) AT BALTIMORE

By far the most perplexing game this week. Ravens, 16-14

NEW YORK GIANTS (+6) AT PITTSBURGH

2004 first-round QBs and Super Bowl winners Eli vs. Ben. Giants’ winning string ends here. Steelers, 27-24

SAN FRANCISCO (+4) AT CHICAGO

Won’t get many worse matchups than this one. 49ers, 14-13 Last Week: Against spread (10-6). Straight up: (11-5) Season Totals: Against spread (84-84-6). Straight up: (10371-2) Best Bet: 6-6 against spread, 8-4 straight up. Upset special: 5-6-1 against spread, 5-7 straight up

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have won 10 in a row since a season-opening loss to the New York Giants, whom they meet next week.