5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos — Week 11
By Chris Schad
Cook will have another 100-yard day
If we were to give out an MVP award for the Vikings through their first 11 games, Dalvin Cook would have to be considered the front runner.
After having his first two seasons marred by injury, Cook has put together a fine bounce-back campaign and entered Week 11 leading the NFL in rushing. (Nick Chubb passed Cook after playing on Thursday night, however.)
The biggest impact that Cook has made on Minnesota’s offense is his versatility. On Sunday night, he didn’t have his best game on the ground averaging 3.7 yards per carry against the Dallas Cowboys. However, Cook was still able to eat up yards thanks to the screen game, which helped him record seven catches for 86 yards and kept the Vikings offense moving throughout the night.
The same scenario could play out on Sunday as the best way to attack the Broncos is on the ground. Denver hasn’t been shredded by the running game this season, as they rank 17th in the NFL allowing 106.7 rushing yards per game. But they are capable of allowing a big game as Leonard Fournette proved with 225 yards on 29 carries in the Broncos’ Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cook’s day likely isn’t going to win any fantasy leagues, but he should get plenty of volume, especially with Adam Thielen out again. Minnesota will have to win on deceiving Denver’s strong secondary, which means a big day for Cook will open play action and the Vikings will need to capitalize.