Running back Dalvin Cook can take some credit that the Vikings joined the juggernaut Kansas City Chiefs as the only NFL offenses this season to convert 12 third-down attempts in a game, like Minnesota did during Sunday's 29-22 victory over the Bears.
The Vikings moved the chains on 12 of 15 third downs against Chicago, an incredibly successful rate that illustrated how open receivers got against the Bears defense, and how they were set up to succeed on early downs. In part because of Cook, who had 94 rushing yards as the offense set season highs in rushing attempts (31) and rushing first downs (10), the Vikings rarely faced a long third down.
Cousins found himself in third-and-5 situations or better on 11 of 15 attempts.
"I'm just here to be ground control, man," said Cook, who had two first-half touchdowns. "[Coach Kevin O'Connell], all the coaching staff, they challenged us to be physical in the run game and I feel like we did that."
The Chiefs also converted 12 third-down attempts in a Week 4 victory at Tampa Bay.
At one point during the first half, Cook was showcased on the videoboards for having been clocked at 19.9 miles per hour by the NFL's tracking data — noting he was the fastest ball carrier tracked by that point. Cook didn't look hampered by a left shoulder that remained in a protective harness after being dislocated on Sept. 25. He bounced off a few defenders during a 10-yard run on the game-winning drive.
The Bears defense backed off as the game progressed, opening up opportunities on the ground.
"They kind of dared us to run the ball and played a lot of shell coverage to take away the explosives in the pass game," Vikings receiver Adam Thielen said, "and I thought we ran the ball really well against it."
