The Vikings cruised to a 34-14 win over the Raiders on Sunday, and did so in impressive fashion as Minnesota's 20-point victory was the second-biggest in the NFL in Week 3.
Minnesota got contributions from throughout the lineup, but Pro Football Focus recently tabbed three players that stood out in Purple.
Running back Dalvin Cook, tight end Irv Smith, Jr., and kicker Dan Bailey all impressed against the Raiders, as each player was named to PFF’s All-NFL Team for Week 3, which was compiled by PFF writer Gordon McGuinness.
Cook, who leads the NFL with 375 rushing yards, ran for 110 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries Sunday. He also had a team-high four receptions for a total of 33 yards.
McGuinness wrote:
Cook has been lighting up the NFL through three weeks, and Sunday was no different. He racked up 110 yards from 16 carries to the tune of 6.9 yards per carry with an average of three of those yards coming after contact. He forced seven missed tackles, taking his total to 15 on 57 carries so far this season.
Smith, a second-round pick from Alabama, had the best game of his young career Sunday against Oakland.
McGuinness wrote:
Smith totaled career highs in targets (3), receptions (3) and yards (60) in Sunday's win for the Vikings. After pulling in his first reception for a loss of a yard last week, all three of his Week 3 catches resulted in first downs for Minnesota.
The rookie talked Monday about how the Vikings successful run game is opening up options through the air.
Vikings kicker Dan Bailey also made PFF's Week 3 team.
McGuinness wrote:
Bailey connected on all four extra points and both field-goal attempts, including one from 50 yards.
The Vikings tied with the Packers and Cowboys for the most players on the team.
View exclusive images shot by Vikings team photographer Andy Kenutis as the Vikings and Raiders competed against each other in the Week 3 matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium
Wilson stepping up for Vikings
Eric Wilson seemingly has been everywhere for the Vikings through the first three games of 2019, and the linebacker has made plays while doing so.
Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press recently highlighted Wilson's strong play so far, and noted that his versatility might be even more impressive.
Mizutani wrote:
Need him to block a punt to turn the tide in Week 1? No problem.
Need him to fill in at weakside linebacker in Week 2? He's on it.
Need him to step up at strongside linebacker in Week 3? You already know.
And as Wilson's playing time increases, so does his production. He played every defensive snap in Sunday's 34-14 win over Oakland at U.S. Bank Stadium, making 11 combined tackles that included two sacks of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.
"I think his versatility and his intelligence and understanding of the system has been really good," coach Mike Zimmer said. "He's been able to make plays when he's been in there. We are glad we have him."
Wilson started for Ben Gedeon in Week 2, then flipped to the other outside linebacker spot Sunday in place of Anthony Barr.
The former undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati has 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble and seven tackles for loss in 35 career games, which includes six starts.
Cook nominated for FedEx Ground Player of the Week for 3rd straight week
Make it three weeks in a row for Dalvin Cook.
The Vikings running back has been nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week, the NFL announced Tuesday.
You can vote for Cook here to win the award.
Cook won the award after his Week 2 performance in which he rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against Green Bay.
He was nominated after his Week 1 performance (111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries), but did not win the award.
Cook's four touchdowns on the ground are tied for second in the NFL.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffery (153 yards and a touchdown) and Ravens running back Mark Ingram (103 yards and three touchdowns) are also up for the award. A trio of quarterbacks are also up for the FedEx Air Player of the Week.
FedEx will donate $2,000 to the USO on behalf of the NFL award winners through FedEx Cares. The $4,000 donation will support the USO Pathfinder program, which provides resources and personalized services to assist service members and military spouses in their transition back to civilian life. FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year winners — announced each year during Super Bowl Week at NFL Honors — will receive a $20,000 donation in their name to the USO.
