For the Minnesota Vikings(2-5), Sunday’s win against the Green Bay Packers(5-2) was all about Dalvin Cook. The fourth-year running back, who missed last week’s game because of a groin injury, did everything for the Vikings. Cook scored all Minnesota’s points and finished the game with four touchdowns(three rushing, one receiving). He also ran for 163 yards as the Vikings stunned the Packers 28-22 at Lambeau Field.
After the game, Cook, who had a career-high 226 yards of total offense on Sunday, gave credit to his offensive line.
“You always appreciate what people do for you,” he said. “I know how much I work, and I know how much those guys work, so you gotta commend those guys too because I’m grinding for my brother next to me. A reward for them is me scoring a touchdown, and they don’t get to score the touchdown. So, I want them guys to feel the feellng I feel when I’m in the end zone. Those guys are the reason I’m in front of you guys giving you guys a winning speech.”
According to ESPN, Cook became the first player to score a touchdown on each of his team’s first four possessions of a game since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, and coming into this game, Minnesota had been struggling. However, it was the “Cook Show” on Sunday, which impressed Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
“Dalvin(Cook) did a great job today,” Cousins said after the game. “Anytime you score four touchdowns, you deserve some credit. He is a great, dynamic player. We are always trying to find ways to get him the football. I think of a third and long early in the game when I checked it down to him. He gets us the first down, and then we ended up getting a touchdown on that possession. Even those little plays make a big difference.”
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer added: “Well, Dalvin is a terrific player. He’s a great runner. The screen run, I think, was an outstanding play by him. We did get some guys downfield and blocked for him, but, you know, part of it too is, I thought we had a good scheme against them. And I thought our offensive line did an outstanding job. Dalvin’s great, there’s no doubt about that. Glad he’s on our team. But the offensive line and the receivers and the tight ends did a nice job blocking for him as well.”
It’s an excellent win for Minnesota and the type of win they can build on. If they want to make the playoffs, the Vikings have to start playing well right now, and maybe this victory over Green Bay is just the beginning.
