The Viking Age
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Vikings Offensive MVP: Week 7 vs. the Baltimore Ravens

By Adam Patrick

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball and breaks a tackle by defender Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of the game on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Murray scored a 29 yard touchdown on the play. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball and breaks a tackle by defender Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of the game on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Murray scored a 29 yard touchdown on the play. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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Running back Latavius Murray finally had a breakout performance this week and scored his first touchdown as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

This season has not exactly gone according to plan for Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray. After signing with the team this past offseason, the Vikings were hoping to get similar production this year to what Murray did on the field in 2016 when he scored 12 touchdowns for the Oakland Raiders.

But recovery from an ankle injury and Dalvin Cook beginning the season as Minnesota’s starting running back resulted in Murray not getting as many opportunities out on the field as he probably would have hoped for.

Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings /

Minnesota Vikings

However, since Cook went down with a season-ending injury in Week 4, Murray’s touches have seen an increase in the last three games and he made the most of his opportunities on Sunday during the Vikings’ win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The running back led all Minnesota rushers this week with 18 carries for 113 yards and one 29-yard touchdown. Murray had also had a nice 35-yard gain on the opening play of the second half that eventually lead to a Vikings field goal.

Coming into Sunday, the running back had only gained a total of 97 rushing yards all season long.

For the past two weeks, it had been Jerick McKinnon leading the way in Minnesota’s offensive backfield. But on Sunday, Murray stepped up his play in a big way and was a huge reason the Vikings were able to pick up a victory.

Next: Ups and downs from the Vikings' Week 7 win

Of course, Minnesota still wishes that they still had Cook in their lineup this year. But at least they now know that McKinnon and Murray are both fully capable of making up for the majority of the production that was lost back in Week 4 after the rookie’s season-ending injury.

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