When the Vikings got their season back on track against the Packers and the Lions, there was really only one way to describe the Minnesota offense: Dalvin Cook dependent.
Cook ran through those aforementioned defenses, tallying over 160 rushing yards in both of those games.
However, in Minnesota’s victories over Chicago and Carolina, the Vikings have not been able to dominate in the run game. Cook had 96 rushing yards on 30 carries against the Bears and 61 rushing yards on 18 rushing attempts against the Panthers.
Perhaps opposing defenses have caught on to the heavy work load Cook has been given. Minnesota offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak certainly has.
“He’s just beat up,” Kubiak said on KFAN (H/T Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press). “He’s been hit pretty hard the last couple of weeks, taking some poundings. … It’s at that point of the season so we’ve got to get him freshened up this week and get him back to being himself. … He’s just kind of beat up.”
The Vikings can utilize Cook as an effective offensive weapon, but the team has to find production from elsewhere, too. Or else, good defenses will take advantage. Recently, Kirk Cousins has played well enough so that defenses can’t just play the run. That has to keep happening for the Vikings.