The difference between Dallas, Minnesota? Up front

Cowboys’ offensive line is a reason they’re 10-1

MINNEAPOLIS — The fuel for this dazzling season for the Dallas Cowboys can be found up front, with an offensive line that’s helped make this team a handful to try to stop.

“They’re really, really good. They’re the best line I’ve seen in a long time in the NFL: physical, athletic, big,” said the usually understated Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who could be forgiven if he sounded envious of the group on the other side.

Just as the front five have made a significant impact on the success of the Cowboys (10-1), the ever-important group has played a major hand in the recent slide by the Vikings (6-5).

With center Joe Berger ruled out of tonight’s game because of a concussion, the Vikings will use their seventh different starting lineup combination in 12 games this season; Nick Easton makes his first NFL start. That doesn’t include others who’ve subbed in for injured teammates on the fly.

“Once again we’ve got to rework the line,” left guard Alex Boone said, “and

figure out what we can do best.”

The Vikings have struggled for the last three seasons to establish a reliable, stable starting five. Injuries, particularly this year with three starting tackles on injured reserve, have ravaged the position. But they’ve only invested two picks in the first three rounds of the last 10 drafts in an offensive lineman, with right tackle Phil Loadholt (No. 54 overall) in 2009 and left tackle Matt Kalil (No. 4 overall) in 2012.

Loadholt retired before training camp because of injuries. Kalil had season-ending hip surgery after playing in the first two games this season.

The Cowboys, by stark contrast, have three first-round draft picks in their starting lineup: left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and right guard Zack Martin.

There’s no mystery why the rookie tandem of running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott have been able to thrive so swiftly or why the Cowboys have won 10 straight games.

“There’s a selfless nature to them that I think is really good, and it’s one of the best offensive lines I’ve ever been around,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “They really set the tone for our football team.” FAMILIAR FACES: Cornerback Terence Newman played for Dallas from 2003-11. He won’t be the only one on the Minnesota sideline who might see those Cowboys uniforms and, despite the intense desire to beat them, have some memories triggered.

Zimmer still keeps a home in suburban Dallas, which is where his son and current Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer lived during his middle school and high school years. His dad, while making sure to avoid sounding overly nostalgic, listed several people still working in the Cowboys organization he remembers well when asked this week to reflect.

“Anytime you’re somewhere 13 years,” Zimmer said, “it kind of grooms you into who you are a little bit. We had some great teams there.”