7 eye-popping statistics about Vikings RB Dalvin Cook

Stat No. 4

"Dalvin Cook has more yards from scrimmage in his first 29 career games than Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Curtin Martin, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara did in their first 29 career games."

Cook has gained 3,018 yards from scrimmage in his first 29 games. Of the other running backs mentioned, Martin had 3,006 yards, Kamara had 2,938 yards, McCaffrey had 2,713 yards, Payton had 2,649 yards, and Smith had 2,617 yards.

To surmise Cook is an interchangeable or replaceable running back is to ignore the production of his historical peers. Tabulating over 3,000 yards from scrimmage in 29 games (regardless of position) is not a feat replicated by many. In fact, a renowned running back like O.J. Simpson barely cracked 2,000 in his first 29 games (2,225).

Also, the Vikings benefit in the win column considerably when Cook racks up the yards–the team has an 11-3 win/loss record in matchups when he reaches 100 yards from scrimmage. Conversely, the Carolina Panthers are 7-18 in games when McCaffrey the 100 yards-from-scrimmage mark.