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The most important player to every NFC teams’ playoff hopes

By Joel Deering

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a 21 yard touchdown, his second of the day, in the fourth quarter of them game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a 21 yard touchdown, his second of the day, in the fourth quarter of them game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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NFC teams' playoff hopes - Dalvin Cook
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after carrying the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings (7-6-1)

Most important player: RB Dalvin Cook

It’d be pretty easy to pin QB Kirk Cousins as the most important player to the Vikings. He was given a massive guaranteed contract and was supposed to be the guy to lead them back to the NFC Championship game and more.

Cousins hasn’t been terrible this season, but he’s been inconsistent. He’s had games where he’s played lights out, but other games in which he’s been average at best.

Cousins having a couple lights out games to end the season would definitely help the Vikings, but for this NFC team’s playoff hopes, the most important player is RB Dalvin Cook.

One of the reasons why Kirk Cousins hasn’t been able to have a consistent season, is because the Vikings haven’t been very good running the ball. They currently rank 29th in rush yards per game, running for an average of 95 yards per game. If they can’t consistently run the ball, of course their QB is going to have a hard time.

In the Vikings’ most recent victory over the Dolphins, they won 41-17. Cousins was able to finish that game with a passer rating of 112.2. Why? Cook ran for 136 yards and two TDs. His yards per carry average was 7.2.

It’s possible Cousins could still have an inconsistent game even if Cook rushes for 100+ yards and multiple scores. However, if Cook doesn’t have a good game running the ball, things will be that much harder for Cousins. The chances of him having a bad game are far more likely if Cook isn’t having a good day.

Minnesota needs to feed their young RB, establish the run and then let Cousins throw the ball around when things have opened up.

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