Seven key moments as Dalvin Cook headlines dominating opener for Vikings

The game started with a sack. Then a blocked punt. Then a touchdown pass to Adam Thielen.

That's a textbook example of starting a season on the right note.

Mike Zimmer had his Vikings team ready to go in the season opener with a dominating 28-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings were strong in all three phases.

The new-look offense displayed Zimmer's dream scenario by establishing the run with an explosive performance by Dalvin Cook.

The defense created turnovers by harassing Matt Ryan into poor throws. Safety Anthony Harris finished with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Special teams contributed a blocked punt by Eric Wilson, a 57-yard punt by new punter Britton Colquitt and a perfect day by kicker Dan Bailey on extra points.

Here are a few decisions and moments that stood out:

Scenario 1: First play of game.

Decision: Mike Zimmer showed how he intends to use linebacker Anthony Barr as a pass rusher. Before the snap, Barr moved up to right end with Everson Griffen shifting over, overloading that side. The Falcons didn't pick it up, giving Barr a free run at Matt Ryan for a sack.

Reaction: Love this look. Barr's versatility as a pass rusher gives Zimmer flexibility to use him in creative ways. Barr's pressure in the first half caused Ryan to rush throws. One pressure led to Anthony Harris' first-quarter interception.

Scenario 2: Vikings' first offensive play

Reaction: The penalty notwithstanding, smart move getting the ball in Cook's hands right away to establish the running game. Cook is a game-changer. He looked explosive hitting running lanes – big and small – in rushing for 74 yards and one touchdown in the first half. If he stays healthy, their offense will be tough to defend because he commands a lot of attention.

Scenario 3: Zimmer's first challenge of the season with 7:58 left in first quarter.

Decision: Cousins was hit from blindside by safety Keanu Neal on a free run. Officials ruled it a fumble, resulting in a 9-yard loss. The ball went out of bounds before a Falcons defender could fall on it. Zimmer challenge that it was an incomplete pass, which replay confirmed.

Reaction: Why not? It was bang-bang call, but everything was going so well at that point, it was a good challenge.

Scenario 4: Cousins celebration dance

Reaction: As a dad with very, very limited dancing skills, thumbs up. No shame in cutting loose if the spirit strikes you.

Scenario 5: End of first half sequence

Decision: The Vikings got the ball with 1:10 left before halftime at their 10-yard line with one timeout. They called three Dalvin Cook runs for no gain before punting the ball back to Atlanta. The Falcons got the ball at their own 45 with 37 seconds left but ran out of time.

Reaction: Wise move by Zimmer. The Vikings had complete control up 21-0. They were getting the ball to start the second half. They forced the Falcons to use their final two timeouts on Cook's first two runs. No sense in being overly aggressive and risk a turnover to give the Falcons life going into halftime.

Scenario 6: Zimmer challenges pass interference penalty on Trae Waynes in third quarter.

Decision: Zimmer made his first pass interference challenge. He lost the challenge on replay.

Reaction: My initial reaction was this was a wasted challenge because Atlanta was guaranteed a first down either way. If Zimmer's PI failed, the Falcons would get a first down on the illegal use of hands penalty. But Zimmer's strategy made sense from a field-position perspective. The illegal use of hands penalty is a five-yard penalty, which would have moved the ball to the 23. The PI penalty gave them the ball at a 2.

It turned out to be a moot point because Matt Ryan panicked with Danielle Hunter applying pressure and threw the ball up for grabs in the end zone, which Anthony Harris turned into his second interception.

Maybe I would feel differently in a close game where Zimmer needed to save a challenge.

Scenario 7: Cook plays in fourth quarter