Cook will run for 200 yards
If you’ve been an avid reader of the “Five Bold Predictions” series, you’ll note that there’s always a prediction of Dalvin Cook going off. Maybe that’s not the boldest prediction out there, but if we’re shooting for accuracy, it’s the easiest one to make for this game.
Cook has been on fire lately even after grinding his way to 96 rushing yards on 30 carries against Chicago last week. Before that, Cook tallied 478 yards and six touchdowns against the Green Bay and Detroit defenses who were susceptible to the run. This is great news for the Vikings.
On Sunday, Minnesota will face a Dallas defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards in the NFL this season with 1,413.
This number is not because of volume either as the Cowboys have coughed up five yards per carry to their opponents this year, which is also the second-highest average in the league behind the Houston Texans. Simply put, teams have punched Dallas in the mouth and they haven’t gotten back up.
This is the one matchup that swings this game greatly into the Vikings’ favor. We know Minnesota is going to give Cook 25 to 30 touches in Sunday’s game. Against the Cowboys defense, any of those touches could result in him heading to the end zone. While 200 rushing yards may be an aggressive number, it’s certainly one Cook can flirt with this week.