Vikings running backs at the halfway point

The same as always when it comes to Dalvin Cook. If healthy, he'd be one of the best and most productive dual-threat backs in the league. But that's always been a big if with Cook, who entered his fourth season having missed 21 games, including playoffs. Running back also was considered one of the deeper positions on the team with Alexander Mattison capable of starting for most teams, Mike Boone an underrated, hard-running No. 3 back and Ameer Abdullah still a sneaky receiving threat as the occasional third-down back. C.J. Ham was considered a strong, technically sound fullback and a key part of the Gary Kubiak offense.

Cook has been the best back in the league. Period. He's the leading rusher with 858 yards on just 144 carries (6.0 yards per carry), and the leading scorer with 13 touchdowns, 12 rushing. And, who knows, if he stays healthy and the Vikings make a surge into the playoffs, he will garner some MVP consideration. Despite missing a game and a half because of a groin injury, Cook ranks second in combined yards with 1,031. Mattison is averaging 4.7 yards per carry but has faded into the background with just 21 snaps during the team's current two-game winning streak. With the Vikings realizing the need to ride their best player, Cook has had 56 touches for 478 yards and six touchdowns in the past two games. That includes the team's first 200-yard rushing game since Adrian Peterson had one five years ago. Mattison and Abdullah each have a touchdown. Boone has only three carries but is averaging 6.0 yards. And Ham has been his usual steady self as a key blocker in Kubiak's offense.

Cook, of course. The eyes of every football fan alive is trained on the guy who is giving every ounce of himself while trying to live up to the five-year, $63 million deal he got on the eve of the regular season. He had 226 yards and four touchdowns on 32 touches at Green Bay. Then he had 252 yards and two touchdowns on 24 touches against Detroit. The next battle — at Chicago against one of the league's best defenses — will be must-see TV. If — there's that word again — Cook stays healthy, the Vikings at least have a shot of reaching the playoffs after a 1-5 start.

41.7 Cook leads the NFL in rushing first downs (48) and rushing touchdowns (12). That means 60 of his 144 carries — 41.7% — have moved the chains or reached the end zone.