Dalvin Cook playing better now than Adrian Peterson

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 (14.6 yards per catch) and 23 carries for 98 yards (4.3 per…