Minnesota Vikings: 3 Players that must shine vs. Packers in Week 16

2. Vikings running backs

With the status of Vikings running back Dalvin Cook uncertain after Cook left the Week 15 contest in Los Angeles with a shoulder injury, it will be important this week more than ever for the rest of the running back group as a whole to put together a strong performance.

If Cook isn’t able to go for Minnesota in the game, that means backup running backs Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone and others will be pushed into being tagged with handling a bulk of the duties on the ground against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Mattison would likely be moved into the starting running back role, getting a bulk of the carries out of the backfield, if the absence of Cook indeed does occur in Week 16. Boone and the rest of the running back group would fill in behind Mattison in the rushing attack for Minnesota.

When it comes to Green Bay and its rushing defense up to this point in the season, the Packers defensive unit has allowed opposing teams to rush for an average of 120.9 yards per game on the ground, which ranks ninth-best in the NFL. Opposing teams have had some success in getting into the endzone on the ground against Green Bay, however, with the Packers giving up 14 rushing touchdowns (tied for 24th in the league) to opposing offenses.

If Cook isn’t able to go for the Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 16, it will be worth keeping an eye on the Minnesota running game and what it is able to do in that aspect of the game against the Packers.