Dalvin Cook's rush through the left side of the line for 70 yards

last week was the longest gain of his professional career Cameron Smith Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , an early game boost for the Minnesota Vikings in an important victory over Detroit before their bye.That was the type of big running play that has been missing in most of Minnesota's games this year, a 22.05 mph burst that was clocked by the NFL's Next Gen Stats as the fastest in the league in 2018.That also demonstrated what the Vikings will need more of down the stretch with a daunting schedule ahead.Cook's return from a hamstring injury that kept him out of five games was one of the most important developments of the season."When you go to the zoo and you want to see a white tiger and they say, 'He's not coming out today, you're disappointed and you're like, 'That's why I bought the ticket, to see the white tiger," quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the Vikings beat the Lions 24-9 on Nov. 4. "That's Dalvin. When you get him, he's special."Though Latavius Murray has 439 total yards and five touchdowns over the past five games, Cook's return will be vital toward continuing the revival of a running game that ranks 28th in the league with an average of 91.7 yards per game.The Vikings (5-3-1) play at NFC North-leading Chicago (6-3) on Sunday night in a game for control of the division. That's one of three games over the next four for the Vikings that will be on the road and outdoors in northern cities."I do think with some of these games as it starts to get colder, it is going to be more of a factor," coach Mike Zimmer said. "I think we're getting better at a lot of the areas in the running game. We have to continue searching for more ways to pound the ball."When Cook was healthy in the season opener against San Francisco Minnesota Vikings Jerseys 2019 , the Vikings had 116 rushing yards. They then went four straight games with fewer than 20 rushing attempts and 77 rushing yards or fewer, until Murray produced a 155-yard performance on 24 carries in a victory over Arizona on Oct. 14 .Cook and Murray combined for 120 rushing yards against the Lions. The Vikings have averaged 124 rushing yards over the past four games, up from 65.8 yards per game on the ground over the first five weeks."He has got a chance to hit home runs," Zimmer said of Cook. "I think it was really good for him to get out there and get some game time action. When you haven't played in six weeks and you haven't practiced all that much, I think he will continue to get better."The Vikings also claimed running back Ameer Abdullah last week after he was waived by the Lions. Abdullah, a second-round draft pick in 2015, only appeared in three games this year and carried the ball once. He averaged 3.8 yards per attempt in three seasons as the primary ball carrier, when he wasn't injured, before being replaced by rookie Kerryon Johnson this season."I'm entering a backfield with a lot of talent, Dalvin, we have Latavius and all the guys who've been here Cameron Smith Jersey nfl draft ," Abdullah said after practice on Monday. "Just coming in today and seeing these guys welcome me the way they have has been amazing for me. It does a lot for my confidence. It does a lot for my focus."Abdullah will also be an option as a kickoff returner."I'm ready to work," he said. "Anything the Vikings ask me to do, I'm willing to do just because I'm so appreciative of the opportunity." Kirk Cousins might not be playing as Kirk Cousins in the latest “Madden” game.The Minnesota Vikings quarterback has an overall rating of 81 in the latest edition of the annual football video game, “Madden 20,” which comes out Aug. 2. All the ratings were issued publicly Monday.Cousins is the game’s 15th-ranked quarterback by overall rating, tied with Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys.Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs is the game’s highest-rated quarterback at 97, followed by Tom Brady (96) of the New England Patriots and Philip Rivers (94) of the Los Angeles Chargers.More Vikings coveragePreview: Cook, Vikings look to keep rolling vs. PackersTop Tweets: Vikings prepare for Packers with TMNT hype videoBarr, seasoned Vikings defense off to strong startNew offense, same Rodgers: Vikings prep for LaFleur’s PackersVikings re-sign center Jones, waive rookie TE DillonAaron Rodgers (90) of the Green Bay Packers is the NFC North’s highest-rated QB Adult Cameron Smith Jersey , followed by Cousins, Matthew Stafford (79) of the Detroit Lions and Mitch Trubisky (75) of the Chicago Bears.Among Cousins’ best attributes: His short-throw accuracy (90), his throw power (86) and his awareness (86). This isn’t the end, however.Madden ratings are updated regularly throughout the season, so Cousins could improve upon his base stats later on.A few of his teammates should be pretty satisfied with their current numbers, however.Safety Harrison Smith and wide receiver Adam Thielen are the Vikings’ highest-rated players at 94 overall, followed by fellow receiver Stefon Diggs (93).Smith is the game’s highest-rated strong safety, while Thielen is the sixth highest-rated receiver in the game, tied with the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill. The Vikings are the only team to boast multiple wideouts in the top 10, meaning Minnesota has the best wide receiver duo in the game for the second straight year.Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack in the division’s highest-rated player, and one of just four players in the game to earn a 99 rating.Other (fun) notes:— Defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa Big And Tall Cameron Smith Jersey , who the Vikings signed as an undrafted free agent last year but missed the entire season with a torn ACL, was ranked at 60 overall. He wasn’t too thrilled about it, either.— Long snapper Austin Cutting is the lowest-ranked player on the team at 38 overall.— Speaking of long snappers, Kevin McDermott was named the toughest Vikings player with a 96 rating. During Minnesota’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 30 last season, McDermott’s finger got caught in an opponent’s face mask. He lost the tip of his left pinky for good on the play, but he was back later in the game after a few stitches. Now that’s a well-deserved rating.— The three quarterbacks on roster — Cousins, Sean Mannion and Kyle Sloter — all have the top three ratings in throwing power. But next on that list are wide receivers Jordan Taylor (55) and Thielen (51). Does Madden foresee a couple of trick plays in Kevin Stefanksi’s offense?— Thielen also has the best kicking accuracy and kicking power ratings behind specialists Dan Bailey and Matt Wile.— Cornerback Trae Waynes is the fastest player on roster (94), while left guard Dakota Dozier is the slowest.