Minnesota Vikings: Latavius Murray sparks previously stagnant run game

Running back Latavius Murray had a breakout performance on Sunday, as the Minnesota Vikings’ running game finally got on track.

It was an impressive overall performance for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, in what ended up being a 27-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings offense was clearly in sync, Adam Thielen was doing Adam Thielen things, and the defense took care of their business as well. What stood out most, however, was a breakout performance by running back Latavius Murray.

Even without their franchise left tackle Riley Reiff (foot) and standout running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring), Minnesota’s rushing attack surprisingly led the charge on offense. Latavius Murray, the de facto starter in Cook’s absence, filled-in admirably to the tune off 24 carries for 155 yards (6.5 avg.) and a score — which was the Vikings’ first rushing touchdown of the season.

It wasn’t just the running game that Murray excelled in, though. He was excellent in blitz pickups all day, which helped allowed Cousins to find Thielen for 11 completions, 123 yards and a touchdown.

Murray’s final rushing total was also the most by a Vikings running back all season – and it isn’t close. The previous single-game high was 42 yards on two instances (coincidentally, both by Murray) against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 and Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5.

Murray’s breakout performance against Arizona brings his season totals to 54 carries for 261 yards (4.8 avg.) and one touchdown. His 155 rushing yards are also the most by any Viking since Adrian Peterson (158) in Week 12 of 2015.

His  performance was a slight shock to many, as the Vikings have typically swayed away from the running the ball without Cook. But it’s not as if Murray is incapable of handling a full workload, as demonstrated against the Cardinals. After all, he was a starting running back before arriving in Minnesota.

It will be interesting to see what running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu and the rest of the Vikings coaching staff elects to do when Cook finally comes back from injury. Murray is a back that needs 20+ carries a game to get going, slowly wearing down the opposing defense in the process. If the Vikings can figure out a formula to get both involved efficiently, it may be game over for opposing defenses.