Minnesota Vikings Best and Worst: Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 08: Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates his 1st quarter touchdown with Minnesota Vikings Tight End Irv Smith Jr. (84) and Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook (33) during a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings on September 8, 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Dalvin Cook – Minnesota Vikings /

The best thing

Last year, one of the biggest problems the Minnesota Vikings faced was running the ball. Not only did their personnel struggle to execute, but the team’s game plan was more of an aerial assault than a ground a pound.

That was definitely different this game. Josh Kline was an absolute bulldozer and the offensive line made some great holes for Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison in this game, who combined for 160 yards and two scores on the day.

A healthy Cook is an absolute game-changer. He showed off speed and elusiveness in this game while gaining 111 yards and getting two scores. His efforts made things very easy for the Vikings offense and allowed the team to control the pace of the game as well as field position.

It’s not that Minnesota can’t pass the football. In fact, they have some great weapons available. But showing other teams that the purple and gold can win football games by pounding the football and while relying on their defense is something their opponents should fear.

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