Even more quick thoughts from Minnesota’s loss to Dallas
Cook didn’t get the ball enough – The Vikings struggled to move the ball on offense for the majority of the night. Despite this, they didn’t really utilize running back Dalvin Cook as well as they could have.
Cook carried the ball 18 times for 78 rushing yards on Sunday, but those were the only touches he had. He had just two passing targets and Minnesota didn’t make much of an attempt to call any screen passes for their top running back.
Cook has proven so many times in the past that he can take a screen pass and turn it into a big gain. So for him to not be given more opportunities with the ball in his hands was inexcusable.
Vikings got torched by a backup QB – In a matchup between Cooper Rush and Kirk Cousins, few would have likely predicted that Rush would be the one to throw for over 300 yards on Sunday. But that’s exactly what he did.
Before his start against Minnesota this week, Rush had a grand total of three pass attempts in his NFL career that began in 2017. However, that didn’t prevent him from throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings on Sunday.
Rush still had plenty of moments where his inexperience popped up, but inside U.S Bank Stadium on Halloween night, he was the best quarterback on the field.
Minnesota misses a golden opportunity – With Dak Prescott sitting out the matchup, the Vikings had a huge chance to get a win over a very talented Dallas team.
But instead of defeating the Cowboys inside their own building, Minnesota let a win slip out of their hands, and now they’re back to having a record under .500.
Things don’t get any easier for the Vikings in Week 9 as they have to go on the road to take on Lamar Jackson and the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens.