5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks – Week 3
By Chris Schad
Cook will have 30 carries
When Mike Zimmer’s back is against the wall, he leans on what he knows best. Heading into the offseason, Zimmer demanded upgrades to his defense rather than lean into his high-powered offense. And when his job is on the line, he hands the ball off to Dalvin Cook.
Cook carried the ball 22 times in the loss to the Cardinals, and it would have been more had he not hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter. When asked about Cook’s availability for Sunday’s game, Zimmer gave a response that Ivan Drago would be proud of.
“At this stage, it’s time to get some wins. Dalvin’s a tough guy. If he can’t play, then there’s a reason why he’s not playing, but he makes us go, so we’re going to continue to play him.”
With 5.9 yards per carry last week, it’s hard to argue with Zimmer’s philosophy. But like many running backs, Cook’s productivity has a shelf life. After not practicing the past two days, Cook’s availability is up in the air but if he plays, expect a hefty workload.