All-time great Adrian Peterson was good. But Dalvin Cook, the NFL’s greatest back in 2019, was better as the Vikings’ present and future beat Peterson, the team’s one-dimensional past and an anemic Washington offense 19-9 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday night.
In a 171-yard performance from scrimmage, Cook had a 12-minute second-quarter burst that showcased some of the dominance that Peterson had in his prime and the versatility the modern game demands and has eluded Peterson during an otherwise first-ballot Hall of Fame career.
“You got to be able to catch the football and make plays,” said Cook, who had five catches for 73 yards (14.