Most disappointing Vikings in the loss to the 49ers

G Oli Udoh

Oli Udoh has been on this list just about every single week and this week may have been his worst and most costly performance of the season. Udoh just doesn’t have what it takes to be a starting-caliber guard in the NFL, and the list of reasons why is getting very long.

Udoh struggled all day against the 49ers. He wasn’t opening up much room for Dalvin Cook on the ground and his pass protection was once again spotty. He also flagged again for holding, and it has gotten to the point where Vikings’ fans just know it is going to be number 74 that is called before the ref gets one word out of his mouth.

Udoh’s worst moment of the game and probably the year was late in the game. Udoh was pushed back by a 49ers defender and right into Dalvin Cook. Cook was hit in an awkward way in his upper body and the ball popped out. The 49ers recovered the fumble and luckily the Vikings’ defense was able to hold them to three points. The worst thing that came out of this disastrous play was that Cook apparently was seriously injured. He is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, but apparently, the early word is that he has a dislocated shoulder.

Losing Cook would be a huge blow to a team that is trying to scrap its way into the playoffs. If Cook is lost for the season or a lengthy stretch of time, the blame can be pointed at Udoh and the fact he was overpowered once again. His inability to anchor may have cost the Vikings a playmaker for their biggest stretch of the season.