Hall of Fame RB gives bodacious prediction for Dalvin Cook in Week 1

Former NFL All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson believes Dalvin Cook is going to have himself a day for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Since he sat out all three preseason games this summer, Sunday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals will be the first on-field action for Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook since Week 16 of last season.

Cook is coming off a marvelous season in which he racked up over 1,900 total yards and 17 touchdowns. On Sunday against the Bengals, the Vikings running back will be looking to pick up right where he left off in 2020.

Cincinnati added some new pieces to their defense this past offseason, but a former All-Pro NFL running back doesn’t think those new additions will be enough to prevent Cook from running all over them.

LaDainian Tomlinson anticipates a big day for Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook against the Cincinnati Bengals

Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson was recently asked on NFL Network about how he thinks Cook will do on Sunday in the Vikings’ Week 1 matchup with the Bengals. Tomlinson gave a prediction that should please Minnesota fans.

"“He’s gonna have a huge day. Do you see this man running through people, particularly on the perimeter? This guy is the heartbeat of the Minnesota Vikings. He makes everything go. So, for the fourth-worst defense in the Cincinnati Bengals, it doesn’t look too good facing Dalvin Cook. He’s going to have a huge day.”"

When Tomlinson mentions the Bengals having the fourth-worst defense, he’s talking about how their defense gave up the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL last season. Cincinnati’s run defense could be better this year, but it doesn’t sound like the Hall of Fame running back believes that is going to be the case, at least not on Sunday against the Vikings.

In 2020, the Bengals allowed an opposing running back to finish a game with at least 100 total yards 12 different times. Cook had nine games last season with 100 total yards or more, so Cincinnati is likely going to have their hands full on Sunday.

Stopping Minnesota’s top running back is going to be a big priority for the Bengals this weekend. But Cincinnati can’t put all of their effort into slowing down Cook, since they also have to deal with the Vikings’ talented receiving duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

It’s a real pick your poison scenario for the Bengals on Sunday and Minnesota should be able to take advantage of it.