7 takeaways from the Vikings Week 7 win over the Lions

Cook might be the best running back in the NFL

Everyone saw a glimpse of how special Dalvin Cook was during his first few games with the Vikings as a rookie in 2017. The injury bug prevented Cook from reaching his full potential in his first two seasons, but his health is as good as ever this year and he’s been reminding everyone just how talented he is.

With his 142 rushing yards on Sunday against the Lions, the Minnesota running back has now rushed for at least 110 yards in five of the team’s seven games this season. Cook is the 12th player in NFL history to finish with 110 rushing yards or more in at least five of his team’s first seven matchups.

Of these 12 guys, seven have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So Cook’s start to the 2019 season is just a tiny bit impressive.

Through seven games, the Vikings running back is leading the NFL in rushing yards per game, rushing touchdowns, and runs of 20 yards or more.

Minnesota has seen a number of very talented backs walk through their doors during the history of their franchise, but there’s something different about Cook. While Adrian Peterson rolled with the famine, famine, feast method during his time with the Vikings, Cook seems to be feasting almost every time he gets the ball in his hands this season.

If he continues to play at this extremely high level and Minnesota goes on to have a successful 2019 campaign, Cook could potentially be the first non-quarterback to win the league’s MVP since that Peterson guy in 2012.