Upon Further Review: Vikings stick to winning formula vs. Lions

It took nearly half the season, but it appears the Minnesota Vikings have found their winning formula.

Running back Dalvin Cook ran wild once again Sunday, as Minnesota defeated the division rival Detroit Lions 34-20 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

With a depleted secondary missing Mike Hughes and Cameron Dantzler, Mike Zimmer took the likes of first-round pick Jeff Gladney, 24-year-old Kris Boyd and 25-year-old Chris Jones and held quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Lions in check.

The Vikings forced three turnovers — their highest mark of the season — and didn’t cough up the ball once. One week after attempting just 14 passes, Kirk Cousins was an effective game-manager against the Lions, throwing for 220 yards on 13-of-20 passing with three scores and no interceptions. Two of his touchdown passes went to tight end Irv Smith Jr.

Now sitting at 3-5 and winners of two consecutive division tilts, the Vikings have transformed from a “Tank for Trevor” candidate into a wild-card contender.

Is it time to believe in this team again?

Here’s a recap of Sunday’s game (Game story | Photos):

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Dalvin Cook, well, cooked once again. The 25-year-old rushed 22 times for a career-high 206 yards and two scores, while also adding 46 yards through the air on two catches. And he did it all while Adrian Peterson, Minnesota’s franchise leader in rushing attempts (2,418), yards (11,747) and touchdowns (97), was watching from the other sideline in a Lions uniform. Over the last two games, Cook has logged 478 total yards and six touchdowns. He’s racked up 278 rushing yards after contact in that span. No other running back has 200+ rushing yards overall in the last two games. That five-year, $63-million contract he signed before the season? Worth every penny.

BEST RB IN THE LEAGUE ?

via @NFL | @dalvincook pic.twitter.com/QJLTK7fpMC

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) November 8, 2020

DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME

Minnesota’s linebackers named Eric were incredible. Eric Wilson led Minnesota in tackles (13) and added 0.5 sack, one quarterback hit, one interception and one pass defensed. Eric Kendricks logged six tackles with one interception and one pass defensed.

Best middle linebacker in the game

?: https://t.co/EYGyNNg0Yf
pic.twitter.com/iVz8gGKV3l

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 8, 2020

THAT MOMENT

Midway through the third quarter, the Vikings led 27-10 but Stafford was beginning to dice up Minnesota’s young secondary as the Lions drove into the red zone. On first-and-10 from the Vikings’ 20-yard line, Stafford targeted tight end T.J. Hockenson between the hash marks, but Wilson stepped in and easily picked off the pass. Minnesota went three-and-out on its next drive. When Britton Colquitt’s punt was blocked — for the second time in the game — the Lions took over just outside Minnesota’s red zone. Five plays later, Stafford targeted Hockenson again, this time in the end zone, but Kendricks wasn’t fooled and intercepted the pass. Those two plays saved the Vikings’ two-possession lead, and probably, the win.

THIS NUMBER

1 – Oh, how quickly things change. After back-to-back impressive performances on offense, the Vikings now lead the NFL in yards per pass attempt (8.9), yards per play (6.5) and yards per carry (5.5). Maybe offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is on to something …

THEY SAID IT

“When you’re sitting there at 1-5, everything is collapsing. You’re getting ready to jump off the cliff. You beat Green Bay, you get a little bit of juice. You beat Detroit, you get a little bit more juice.” – head coach Mike Zimmer

“Just to be playing on the field with Adrian, it’s always a blessing for me to soak that up every time.” – running back Dalvin Cook

“It goes back to that old saying – the harder you work, the harder it is to fail.” — Zimmer

WHAT’S NEXT

For the third straight week, Minnesota will battle against a division foe. Chicago (5-4) hosts the Vikings on Monday Night Football. The Bears have lost three straight games and have averaged a mere 17.0 points per game in that span. Minnesota has lost its last four contests against the Bears.