Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds vs. Chiefs in Week 9
Stud: Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook, who came into the game leading the entire NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, has put together a really impressive start to the 2019 campaign. While being a threat both on the ground in the running game and through the air in the passing game for the Vikings, Cook was back at it again on Sunday in Week 9 against Kansas City on the road.
Cook finished the matchup against the Chiefs by tallying a team-best 71 yards rushing on the ground with 21 carries and a game-long rush of 12 yards. He was held out of the end zone on the ground, which has become a rare occurrence for the running back, but he stepped up when the Vikings needed him to on the ground.
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In the passing game, Cook also made an impact in the loss. The running back finished with four catches on seven overall targets out of the backfield, finishing with 45 yards receiving through the air along with a game-long reception of 22 yards.
Cook is such a big piece to this Vikings offense and he has continued to impress many around the league at the midway point in the year.
Dud: Injury issues continue for Thielen
The first dud that occurred for the Vikings in their Week 9 contest against the Chiefs on the road was Minnesota wide receiver Adam Thielen still dealing with an injury that limited his time in the game against Kansas City on Sunday.
Thielen suffered a hamstring injury against the Detroit Lions a few weeks ago in Week 7, an injury that held him out of the game a week ago. In Week 9, however, Thielen appeared to be heading into Sunday afternoon’s game healthy while providing a boost the Vikings wide receiving group, only to exit the game early on while re-aggravating that hamstring injury.
Thielen was active in the game, but left the matchup in the first quarter of play while reportedly still dealing with injury issues. Minnesota will need to make sure it can get Thielen back to being healthy to add him back into the mix of things on the offensive end of the field moving forward.