Minnesota Vikings: Five things we learned in the loss to the Detroit Lions
The Minnesota Vikings were feeling good heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions, but that feeling faded fast in a 14-7 loss. What did we learn from the Week 4 showdown?
After a fantastic, winning performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Minnesota Vikings took a tough 14-7 loss to the Detroit Lions. Like last season’s overtime loss to the Lions at home, this one was a heart breaker in a different sort of way.
With 10:35 to go in the third, Dalvin Cook‘s knee gave out on him on a non-contact play, taking the rookie phenom out of the game. On the play, Cook fumbled, giving Detroit great field position at the Minnesota 29. Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense took advantage of the field position, resulting in a 1-yard game-winning touchdown run by Ameer Abdullah.
While the score was the deciding factor in the game, fans, players and coaches alike were more concerned about the health of their young star. After seeing the replay and watching Cook limp off the field and into the locker room, signs pointed to a serious injury with early reports suggesting an ACL tear.
The #Vikings initial diagnosis for Dalvin Cook is a nearly complete ACL tear, per @TomPelissero and me. He's hopeful the MRI shows otherwise
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2017
Early reports proved true Monday afternoon confirming that the rookie will miss the rest of the season. This undoubtedly is a huge blow for the Vikings offense as Cook was establishing himself as the most dynamic player on the offense.
Mike Zimmer confirms: Dalvin Cook torn ACL. Done for season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2017
Without Cook, the Vikings turn to a combination of Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon in the backfield. If Sunday’s game tells us anything, it’s that neither is capable of replacing Cook’s production. Murray ended the day with seven carries for 21 yards, while McKinnon had two carries for no yards.
Nevertheless, the Vikings could do worse in the backfield and Murray has a history of success going back to a Pro Bowl season with the Oakland Raiders in 2015. Even so, the initial assertion is that the Vikings offensive production is going to a take a big hit.
Cook news aside, here’s five other things we learned about the Vikings from a Week 4 loss to the Lions.