6 takeaways from the Vikings win over the Texans in Week 4

Cook is the best running back in the NFL

Right before the start of the 2020 season, the Vikings made the decision to extend their talented running back, Dalvin Cook.

Some didn’t agree with Minnesota’s choice to give Cook an extension because they don’t believe running backs aren’t worth the money or they think he’s too injury prone. But the Vikings knew they had a special running back on their roster and the rest of the league figuring that out this year too.

Heading into the 2020 season, Cook was regarded by most as a top-five running back. But after the first four games this year, he should now be regarded as the league’s No. 1 back.

Cook had another masterful performance on Sunday that saw him carry the ball for 130 yards and two touchdowns in addition to catching a pair of passes for 16 more yards. With his totals against the Texans, the Minnesota running back now leads the NFL in rushing yards (424) and rushing touchdowns (six).

Cook just couldn’t be stopped on Sunday. Even when everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball, he still found a way to make Houston’s defense look silly on every play and average 4.8 yards per carry. If the Vikings can figure out a way to involve him more in their passing attack, it could take the team’s offense to an even higher level.

Based on his numbers after four matchups, Cook is on pace to finish with 1,696 rushing yards this year. That total would not only be a new single-season career-high for the talented playmaker, but it would also be the most rushing yards in a season by a Minnesota running back not named Adrian Peterson.