The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions on Sunday by the score of 34-20.
In a battle between Adrian Peterson‘s former team and his current team, his heir apparent in Minnesota played outstanding.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook rushed for 206 yards.
He became the first Vikings player to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Adrian Peterson did it in 2015.
Cook was drafted by the Vikings in 2017 in the second round (41st overall).
At the time, Cook was eager to join the Vikings and learn behind legendary RB Adrian Peterson.
Little did he know that the Vikings had already released Peterson so Cook had to hit the ground running without his childhood idol on the roster.
Peterson on Cook
Cook’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by Peterson who has called him a “lethal weapon” in the past.
A ridiculous Dalvin Cook play and then Adrian Peterson's reaction to it as it replays on the jumbotron #Vikings #Skol pic.twitter.com/o7cwAG4PTk
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) November 9, 2020
Peterson has not been shy about praising and encouraging Cook during his career.
— Carlos Gonzalez (@CarlosGphoto) November 8, 2020
After the game, Peterson addressed Cook on Twitter:
“I’ve seen the hard work you’ve been putting in since your rookie year…Shining brighter and brighter each day!”
Cook on Peterson
Dalvin Cook has talked about how watching Peterson while he was growing up has impacted his career.
The Vikings parted ways with Adrian Peterson in 2017 and weeks later drafted Dalvin Cook.
In the midst of a breakout season leading the NFL in rushing and TDs, Cook’s first career 200-yard game came with the former franchise cornerstone A.P. watching from the opposite sideline. https://t.co/eoKEDVppt7
— Manouk Akopyan (@ManoukAkopyan) November 9, 2020
Their teams have met three times in Cook’s career, and he is always grateful for those opportunities.
“Just to be playing on the field with Adrian, it’s always a blessing for me to soak that up every time.”
Cook has performed well each time their teams have met.
Dalvin having some of his best career games with Adrian Peterson in the building is infinitely funny to me. pic.twitter.com/J17JjNkB7a
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) November 10, 2020
Next Up For Peterson
In 2020, Peterson’s Lions are scheduled to play all of his former teams (Minnesota, Arizona, New Orleans, Washington).
After the Week 9 meeting with the Vikings, Adrian Peterson has back-to-back games against his former teams.
In Week 10, his Lions play The Washington Football Team, and he definitely believes he has something to prove.
Peterson told Washington, DC TV station WUSA9:
NEXT: Everson Griffin Trolls Vikings Amid His Debut With His New Team“I would be lying to you if I told you that chip on my shoulder wasn’t there. They will get to realize what they let go.”
