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Vikings running back Dalvin Cook took the league lead in rushing touchdowns late in the second quarter of their 31-23 victory over the Texans on Sunday with a run that fans are losing their minds over.
Cook took a handoff from Kirk Cousins up the middle, shed two linebackers and a defensive end before breaking free and stiff-arming another defender in his pursuit to the end zone. The touchdown was Cook’s sixth rushing TD of the season and second against the Texans in the first half.
The run has warranted viral reactions from some of the biggest figures in football. ESPN’s Matthew Berry tweeted a video of the play saying “Dalvin Cook is a FULL. GROWN. MAN.”
Dalvin Cook is a FULL. GROWN. MAN.
Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Damien Woody got in on the commentary as well, calling Cook’s run “bully ball.”
That run by Dalvin Cook 😳 bully ball!
Here are some of the best fan reactions to the run.
@dalvincook is on fire! He’s trying to steal the #BeastMode moniker!
Dalvin Cook is just bullying defenders out there my word.
Dalvin Cook is a grown ass man running that rock. Just out the Texans to shame
Cook had 60 yards on 15 carries and two TDs and finished with 130 rushing yards as the Vikings led 17-6 at halftime and rolled to victory on Cook’s legs. He is the current NFL leader in rushing yards after the noon time slot with 424 rushing yards in four games.
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Vikings Offense Keeps Feeding Cook
A key to the Vikings game plan was to establish Cook early and often against a Texans defense that had given up the most rushing yards in the league entering Week 4.
That aspect of the Vikings game was even more emphasized when All-Pro safety Harrison Smith was ejected for helmet-to-helmet contact in the second quarter.
Cook set a career high in the regular season with 27 carries for 130 yards and also caught two passes for 16 yards. He took 28 carries for 94 yards and two TDs in last year’s NFC North Wild Card round victory over the Saints.
“Dalvin’s got great heart. He’s a great runner and he’s got good balance.
Cook Climbing Vikings Career Rushing TD Record List
Cook’s two first-half rushing touchdowns against the Texans placed the fourth-year running back in a tie with Terry Allen for the 10th most career rushing touchdowns in Vikings history with 23.
At Cook’s current pace, he could climb to fifth all-time this season by passing up Robert Smith, who totaled 32 rushing touchdowns from 1993-2000.
Bill Brown and Chuck Foreman are tied for second with 52 career touchdowns, behind Adrian Peterson who scored 97 touchdowns in his 11 seasons with the Vikings.
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Trevor Squire is a Heavy contributor covering the Minnesota Vikings and journalism graduate from the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities. Connect with him on Twitter @trevordsquire and join our Vikings community at Heavy on Vikings on Facebook.
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Dalvin Cook’s ‘Grown Man’ TD Sparks Viral Reactions [WATCH]