Vikings running back Dalvin Cook missed the final two weeks of the season with a chest/shoulder injury.
The injury didn’t appear serious, but it was an opportunity for the Vikings to let him rest and get healthy with the team already clinching a playoff spot.
It paid off. Cook ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns while also catching three passes for 36 yards in Sunday’s overtime win over the Saints. Cook is what got the Vikings’ offense rolling early.
He was just six yards away from his first 100-yard game since Oct. 20.
Cook and the Vikings will have a short week before taking on the 49ers on Saturday afternoon.
While the 49ers’ defense has been great this season against the pass (ranking first in yards allowed), there have been some opportunities to run the ball against them. San Francisco ranks 17th in rushing yards allowed and 23rd in rushing yards per attempt (4.5 yards).
If the Vikings’ offensive line comes out with the same energy and aggression it did against the Saints, the Vikings will at least give themselves a chance.
