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Redskins vs. Vikings: Keys to victory in Week 8 of the 2019 season

By Kyle Hundley

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 20: Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins walks to the line of scrimmage with the offensive line against the San Francisco 49ers at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 20: Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins walks to the line of scrimmage with the offensive line against the San Francisco 49ers at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a late fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a late fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

4. Redskins must bottle up Dalvin Cook

Before the season, Ezekiel Elliot and Melvin Gordon were the talks of running backs because of their offseason holdouts. Now, it’s Dalvin Cook. Through the first seven weeks of the season, Cook is leading the league in rushing yards with 725. Cook has eight touchdowns on the ground already and is averaging 5.5 yards per rush.

After injuries plagued his first two seasons, Cook has exploded this season with five 100-yard games already. He has been a little feast or famine the last four weeks though. Twice he has gone over 130 yards and twice he failed to reach 45 yards. Cook is averaging just under 20 carries per game and should be looking to get a similar amount as Minnesota looks to establish the run. Washington must be ready for him.

The Redskins gave up almost 140 rushing yards to the 49ers on 39 attempts. That cannot happen a second week in a row. Montez Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan must do an excellent job of setting the edge as Cook can turn it quickly. Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen must have big games in the middle and bottle him up. If they can limit him in the manner the Eagles and Bears did, the ‘Skins have a shot.

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