Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds from huge Week 9 win vs. Lions

Stud: Dalvin Cook

The obvious stud that took the game over from the opening kick off was Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. I mean, there really isn’t anything more you can say about this guy and the way he is playing so far this year.

Cook impressed yet again against Detroit on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, surpassing the 200-yard rushing mark with a pair of touchdowns along the way. Cook tallied 22 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, also hauling in two catches for 46 yards through the air.

We’re becoming accustomed to Cook putting up crazy numbers week-in and week-out, proving that he should be in MVP conversations around the NFL at the midway point of the regular season.

Dud: Special Teams

Perhaps the biggest negative that took place in the game for Minnesota in Week 9 was the play of the special teams and allowed Detroit some late-game hope behind a pair of mishaps on the side of the Vikings.

During the game, the Lions were able to block two punts against the Vikings punting unit, including a late-game punt block that set up a Detroit touchdown shortly after on the other end.

Minnesota will have to work on that area of the team with an extra day of practice this week before hitting the road for yet another divisional contest against the Chicago Bears in Week 10.