Dalvin Cook has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. The Vikings strung together their only two-game winning streak of the season and Cook has been the main reason behind the Vikings recent success.
After scoring four touchdowns against the Packers just two weeks ago, Cook gashed the Lions run defense on 22 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns in Week 9. Over his last two games Cook has 472 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns.
This award should come as a surprise to no one, as Cook is the biggest reason behind the Vikings recent success. He is the highest graded player according to PFF with a grade of 91.2, leads the league in rushing with 858 yards, ranks first in terms of yards per carry after contact with 4.1 and leads the league with 12 touchdowns.
Cook is leading the league in all these categories despite already missing 1.5 games on the season. The Vikings extended Cook this summer and it’s starting to look as if that decision has paid off.
It should also be noted that Cook has given a lot of the credit for his success to the offensive line. A unit that has struggled in years past is starting to click with rookie Ezra Cleveland looking better each week. When Cook finds the end zone he usually gives the ball to one of his lineman to let them cap off the drive with a spike. The Vikings star running back has earned this award in two consecutive weeks, but the offensive line deserves some of the credit as well.
The MVP award usually goes to the league’s top quarterback, but it would be difficult to not consider Cook if he maintains his current pace. He's on pace to rush for 1,961 yards and 27 touchdowns, while adding 395 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Those numbers would be good enough to get him into consideration for MVP, but it's also very clear the Vikings are a different team when Cook isn't on the field.
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