Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds vs. Giants in Week 5

Stud: Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook, who is off to an impressive start to the 2019 campaign while emerging as one of the top running backs in the NFL through five weeks of action, had a nice all-around performance in Week 5 for Minnesota.

The Vikings running back did a little bit of everything both on the ground and through the air in the contest, finishing with 132 yards rushing on 21 carries, while racking up 86 total yards on six receptions out of the backfield.

So far this season, Cook has mainly been a threat on the ground and within Minnesota’s running game, but on Sunday he displayed his ability to be a reliable option through the air in the passing game as well.

Dud: Defensive penalties

Costly penalties really hindered Minnesota on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Throughout the course of the game, the Vikings defense allowed the Giants to remain on the field numerous times after appearing to being able to get off the field and let the offensive group return to the field.

Instead, Minnesota allowed New York to have a few more opportunities than it should have had in the contest while racking up some costly penalties that allowed the Giants offense to remain on the field.

In the end, it didn’t cost the Vikings the game in New York, but penalties are something that have hurt this Minnesota defense throughout the year to this point and is something the Vikings need to clean up for the rest of the season.