4 moves that got the Minnesota Vikings back to .500 after Week 13

Increasing Cook’s workload

Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the NFL, if not the absolute best. This isn’t an outlandish statement to make, which is why it was confusing when he was averaging under 20 touches per contest during Minnesota’s first three games of the season.

Unsurprisingly, the Vikings lost those three matchups and it wasn’t until Week 4 when they gave their top running back the ball 29 times that they were able to add a win to their 2020 record.

Since Week 8, Minnesota hasn’t been messing around with Cook’s touches. He’s averaged 30 touches during the Vikings’ last six games and it has resulted in the team winning five of these six matchups.

Minnesota’s decision to not involve Cook in their offense as much as they should’ve earlier in the year could end up costing them a spot in the playoffs. But luckily, the Vikings were able to make the necessary adjustments to get the ball in his hands more frequently so that they could at least climb back into contention for a postseason berth.