8 keys to success for the Minnesota Vikings 2020 season
By Dustin Baker
Dalvin Cook’s health
This can be applied to COVID-19 or “normal” gridiron injuries. Last season, tailback Dalvin Cook accounted for 29 percent of all the Vikings offensive yards from scrimmage. Consequently, the Vikings had their best offensive year via points scored since 2009. Naysayers can obfuscate this reality ad nauseam, but Dalvin Cook was the quintessence of Minnesota’s offense in 2019. When the speculation circulates that other halfbacks on the roster could substitute for Cook interchangeably, this is merely a theory. It’s hearsay. Folks offering this opinion hope Alexander Mattison or Mike Boone would do the trick. There is no element of hope with a healthy Dalvin Cook. He is a bonafide asset with accountable performance within the Vikings offense.
The prerequisite to Cook’s prosperity within Minnesota’s offense is that he avoids injury. During his rookie campaign, he missed 14 total games with a torn ACL. The next season he missed five games. Last year was better, though. Cook played in 14 of 18 total games.
His ability to stay healthy in 2020 will be paramount to the Vikings’ hopes of grandeur.