The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings MVPs: Week 3 vs. Oakland Raiders

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 22: Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders loses the ball as Xavier Rhodes #29 and Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings tackle him during the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The ball was ruled down on the play. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 22: Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders loses the ball as Xavier Rhodes #29 and Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings tackle him during the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The ball was ruled down on the play. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball as defender Lamarcus Joyner #29 of the Oakland Raiders attempts to tackle him in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings  (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Offensive MVP – Dalvin Cook, running back

Guess what? It happened again. The last few seasons, Dalvin Cook hasn’t been reliable to stay on the field and missed a lot of time due to injury. However, when the running back is on the field, he has been amazing and made a difference in the outcome of a game.

Once again, Cook dominated on the field, showing his blend of speed, acceleration, and vision while taking chunks of yardage from Oakland, particularly on his 25-yard run from scrimmage where he made defenders look silly.

To make things even better for Minnesota, the team didn’t have to grind with Cook a lot. In fact, he only ran the ball 16 times but gained 110 yards and had one touchdown in the game. That means Cook won’t suffer as much wear and tear on his body over the course of the season thanks to a split with Mattison and the other running backs. Cook was good in the passing game as well, catching four of the five passes thrown his way for 33 yards.

For him to be such a big part of this team’s offense after how much they relied on the pass last year is quite remarkable. The turnaround in just one offseason by changing personnel and schemes is working. And so far opposing teams have no answer for Cook on the ground.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News