Cowboys vs. Vikings NFL injury report, spread: Oddsmakers think Cooper Rush over Dak Prescott at QB for Dallas; Trevon Diggs could set interception record

The No. 1 story line for the Sunday night NFL game in Week 8 featuring the Cowboys at the Vikings, with both out of their bye, is whether Dallas quarterback and MVP candidate Dak Prescott will play through a calf injury. The Cowboys had been 1.5-point favorites at Caesars but flipped to 2.5-point underdogs Thursday night, meaning the oddsmakers think Prescott is not playing. A decision apparently will be made Saturday, and that line should flip back if Prescott can go. It probably gets to at least -3 if not. In addition, Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs could set a league record with another interception. SportsLine offers odds on that.

Had the Cowboys played Week 7, Prescott would not have been able to play with a calf strain that has had him limited in the first two practices of this week. Prescott said if it was a playoff game this Sunday he would be out there and that he believes he can play but: "It's not fully my decision because there is a bigger picture. … I don't want this to linger past this week." Prescott said the coaches and director of rehabilitation Britt Brown will be part of the decision-making process.

Prescott was hurt on the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime in Week 6 at New England. Prescott was terrific with 445 yards and three touchdowns. He enters Week 8 ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards per game (302.2) and in QB rating (115.0). Prescott is a lock to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year at -300 and is +800 to lead the NFL in passing yards, +475 to win MVP and +800 to lead the league in passing yards.

The 27-year-old Rush has thrown three regular-season passes in his career, all in 2017. Why the Cowboys don't have an established backup like a Cam Newton is beyond me. They at least had Andy Dalton last year. Rush has been getting some first-team reps in practice this week.

As for Diggs, he's the +450 second-favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year with his league-leading seven interceptions – no one else has more than four. Diggs has joined Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (1993) as the only players since 1970 with seven picks in his team's first six games of a season. The single-season record is 14 by "Night Train" Lane for the 1952 Rams.

Diggs has had at least one pick in every game, tying Tom Landry (yes, that Tom Landry; first six games of 1951), Barry Wilburn (Weeks 1-2 and 7-10 in strike season of 1987) and Brian Russell (first six games of 2003) for most consecutive season-opening games by a player with a pick. Thus, Diggs could set a record in that regard Sunday.

The NFL overall mark for most consecutive player games with a pick is eight by the Raiders' Tommy Morrow from 1962-63. The single-season consecutive picks record (not opening games) is seven by a couple of guys. Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown just two interceptions this year.

Dallas is the NFL's lone unbeaten against the spread team at 6-0. This century, the best ATS start to a season was 8-0 by that record-setting and regular-season SU unbeaten 2007 New England Patriots.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Trevon Diggs have an interception Sunday?

• No -400
• Yes +300

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