Minnesota Vikings: 3 Players that must shine vs. Raiders in Week 3
3. Dalvin Cook
The first player that is going to have to continue to step up and stand out for the Minnesota Vikings against the Raiders on Sunday is young running back Dalvin Cook. Cook, who is in his third year in the NFL and with the Vikings, is off to one of the best starts in the league among running backs, recording a total of 265 yards rushing and three touchdowns through two weeks of the regular season.
Coming into Week 3, Cook ranks first in the league in total rushing yards, ahead of New York Giants running back Sequon Barkley in second with 227 yards. Cook also ranks first in rushing touchdowns (three), second in rushing attempts (41) and has recorded the longest rush of the season after breaking out for a 75-yard touchdown on the ground against Green Bay in Week 2.
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Going back to the loss to the Packers in the second week of the year last Sunday, Cook recorded a career-high 154 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries throughout that game. The running back also finished with a total of three catches for 37 yards out of the backfield.
In the regular-season opener to start the season against the Falcons, Cook finished that contest with 111 yards on the ground with two touchdowns on a total of 21 carries.
Through two weeks, Cook has looked very impressive within the Minnesota offense while establishing himself as one of the best running backs in the league so far in 2019. He has also provided the Vikings with yet another weapon on the offensive side of the field to pair nicely with quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs and others.
As long as he is able to stay healthy and on the field for a full season, which hasn’t been the case for the young back since entering the NFL, Cook will continue to be a focal point within Minnesota’s offensive scheme and he will need to stand out once again when Oakland comes to town this weekend.
Cook will once again get an opportunity to lead the Vikings in their first game against an AFC opponent in Week 3 at home, especially with Cousins and the passing game struggling to some extent through two contests.
If Cook is able to have a strong performance once again against the Raiders on Sunday and is able to continue to build onto his already Pro Bowl-caliber season he is starting to put together, the Vikings will come out on top at US Bank Stadium and will move to 2-1 on the season as a result.