While Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins got much of the publicity and credit for his role in last Sunday’s thrilling victory over the New Orleans Saints, much of the heavy lifting in the game came from star running back Dalvin Cook. With 28 rushes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, Cook had to earn every yard against a tough Saints rush defense. But the multi-talented back got action in the passing game as well, adding three receptions for 36 yards.
Minnesota will need a similar performance from Cook when they travel west to face the San Fransisco 49ers on Saturday afternoon. His presence affects the Vikings offense whether he touches the ball or not. The 49ers boast one of the league’s top defenses, but there are plays to be made if the Vikings stick with their all-world running back.
Dalvin Cook Is the Key to Another Minnesota Vikings Upset Against San Francisco
The Common Denominator in Victories
In the nine games that Cook has gained at least 100 yards from scrimmage, the Vikings have a record of 7-2. In their first loss, a 21-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Cook ran for 154 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown that got the Vikings back in the game after trailing 21-0. Before Cousins threw an inexplicable interception late in the fourth quarter, Cook and backup Alexander Mattison gashed the Packers defense as Minnesota penetrated into the Packers redzone. When they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, Cook had 116 total yards as the Chiefs won on a last-second field goal.
In the eight games where Cook has either been inactive or failed to reach 100 total yards, the Vikings are 4-4. In fact, four of Minnesota’s five worst rushing performances of the season resulted in losses. These normally coincided with poor passing games for the Cousins as the offense is built around runs, bootlegs, and screen passes. When Cook isn’t able to get going, these concepts become ineffective and the rhythm that offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski wishes to build simply fizzles. But when Cook does churn out yardage, the offense runs much more smoothly and the team’s chances of victory greatly improve.
A Talented yet Flawed Defense Awaits
The 49ers will bring in their second-ranked defense to Levi’s Stadium on Saturday. Despite the obvious talent that San Fransisco has, their run defense has been suspect much of the season. The 49ers rank first in the NFL against the pass. However, they rank 17th against the run and 23rd in yards per attempt allowed. Minnesota hasn’t been shy to run the football all season, and they won’t change that Saturday.
Two of the 49ers three losses came in games that they were gauged by the run. Likely league-MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens rushed for 178 yards against San Fransisco. In a Monday Night Football thriller, the 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks as they allowed their third-highest output of the season with 147 yards. In total, the 49ers allowed 125 yards or more on the ground six times. Five of those six games were undecided with under five minutes to go.
The Last Word on Dalvin Cook
San Fransisco is vulnerable on the ground. They just mask this because they can get into leads that force teams to become one-dimensional on offense. If the Vikings can commit to feeding Cook early in the run and screen game, they will open up an dangerous play-action game that will get receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen involved. It’s a giant challenge winning on the road in the playoffs. On the shoulders of Dalvin Cook, the Vikings have a chance to do it in back-to-back weeks and punch their ticket to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years.
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