5 Bold Predictions: Vikings vs. Seahawks – Week 13
By Chris Schad
Vikings running game will make a major impact
Another reason why this year might be much different for the Vikings has been the focus on the running game. Last season’s matchup in Seattle was John DeFilippo’s curtain call as Mike Zimmer was ready to challenge him to a street fight if he didn’t start running the ball more. DeFilippo’s answer was to hand the ball to Dalvin Cook just 13 times as the Vikings offense was shutout for the first 59 minutes.
This year, Cook has been a focal point of the Vikings offense. While Minnesota will still unleash the screen from time-to-time, they’ve been throwing the ball downfield in large to what Cook has done for the running game.
Cook entered Week 13 as the third-leading rusher behind Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffrey thanks to a scheme that suits his strengths and his first healthy season after a torn ACL and hamstring sabotaged his first two seasons. Seattle ranks ninth against the run, but so far that hasn’t seemed to matter to Cook as the Vikings hand him the ball and keep giving it to him until he breaks one.
With Alexander Mattison also representing a big upgrade over Latavius Murray, the Vikings should have more success on the ground on Monday, which should open everything up for the Minnesota offense and their receivers.