DALVIN COOK

The end hit harder for the Minnesota Vikings than usual, a season of exhilarating finishes and exceeded expectations smudged by this quick exit from the playoffs. The salary cap crunch will likely force the departure of some of the players who contributed heavily to 13 wins, an NFC North division title and a strong chemistry that fueled this run behind new head coach Kevin O'Connell. “We have such a great group, and you know when the season ends that this group doesn’t stay the same moving forward,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the 31-24 loss to the New York Giants at home on Sunday in the first round.

It was a game that will go down as the greatest comeback in NFL history after the Vikings erased a 33-point deficit to beat the Colts and clinch the NFC North title.

Week 15 of the NFL continues Saturday with the Vikings facing the Colts in the weekend's first game. Here are the top plays!

The Detroit Lions keep rolling as their offense exploded in the 34-23 victory against the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

DETROIT -- Isaiah Buggs is someone the Detroit Lions have continuously pointed to for being more important than what can be read from a box score. Buggs notched one tackle, one sack for a loss of 5 yards and a forced fumble from a goal-to-go situation before halftime. The Lions’ win in Week 14 kept the Minnesota Vikings from celebrating an NFC North title while keeping their own playoff hopes afloat. The Lions couldn’t turn that into points, but the forced fumble ensured they went into halftime with a seven-point advantage. But we do, we’ve got a lot of those guys and we trust a lot of those guys and we value them.

Jared Goff threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, leading the surging Detroit Lions to a 34-23 win over the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (5-7) and Minnesota Vikings (10-2) meet in a big-time Week 14 showdown at Ford Field, with playoff and division implications riding. Minnesota can clinch the NFC North with a win, while the Lions are trying to keep their postseason dreams afloat. among all wideouts in Week 14, with the Sun God receiving one first-place vote from fantasy analyst Tristan Cockcroft. Conversely, Williams leads the NFL with 14 rushing touchdowns, so he’s the top touchdown-dependent fantasy play and you could do much worse. It’s worth noting it’s been ultra-close through the four most recent matchups:2022 Week 3: Vikings 28, Lions 242021 Week 13: Lions 29, Vikings 272021 Week 5: Vikings 19, Lions 172021 Week 17: Vikings 37, Lions 35

Aaron Rodgers and his peers around the NFL are calling for teams to tear up their turf playing surfaces and replace them with grass.

The Vikings beat the Bills in overtime.

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Buffalo Bills, 33-30, in overtime on Sunday in what is definitely the game of the year so far in the 2022 season.

Week 10 of the NFL season brought an electric atmosphere overseas and an invasion of pigeons in Pittsburgh. Check out the top viral moments!

Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes to help the Minnesota Vikings come back and beat the Washington Commanders 20-17 for their sixth consecutive victory.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook poked fun at the fine he received for throwing a ball into the stands during a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.

Dalvin Cook launched the football from his 53-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins into the stands on Sunday — which evidently cost him a fine of more than $7,000.

The Detroit Lions (1-2) lost to the Minnesota Vikings (2-1) in the final minutes after blowing two double-digit leads in Week 3. This post will run through MLive’s grades for the team’s performance:Quarterbacks: Jared Goff had a clean day while playing with some banged-up offensive weapons. And he managed some good while running seven times for 31 yards, catching three passes for 15 yards. And it was another solid day on the ground, with the Lions running 35 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns. For those looking for the bright side, at least the Lions head coach sounds well aware of that after this loss.

President Joe Biden is seeking to portray November's midterm elections as a stark contrast between optimism and hope and darkness and fear, telling a Democratic National Committee event Friday, "democracy itself is on the ballot" in November. (Sept. 23)

Chuck Foreman and Dave Osborn were among 18 former Vikings players invited to take in a spring practice last week. They liked what they saw. The two former Pro Bowl running backs are intrigued with who and what the Vikings have in the backfield. An argument could be made that they have more depth than ever before. The starting running back is Dalvin Cook, who has made three straight Pro Bowls. ...

Johnny Manziel is still playing football with a new perspective.

Kenneth Walker III believes NFL scouts may be shortchanging this year’s running backs contingent.

The Chargers’ Justin Herbert hit Baltimore’s Mark Andrews with two touchdown passes to leading the AFC to a 41-35 victory over the NFC in the return of the Pro Bowl.

The NFL’s steady increase in offensive production took a step back this season.

NFL coaches are taking precautions beyond the league’s COVID-19 protocols to help ensure players are available for games.

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh cleared COVID-19 protocols and returned to the facility to run practice for the first time since testing positive for the coronavirus last Wednesday.

Brandon Powell returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to lift Los Angeles with Matthew Stafford mired in a slump.

Both Saints veteran quarterbacks, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian, Minnesota star running back Dalvin Cook and Cleveland center JC Tretter, the NFL Players Association president, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes, and the Minnesota Vikings beat the struggling and short-handed Chicago Bears 17-9.

The Vikings were dealt a huge blow when they fell to the Detroit Lions on a last-second touchdown two weeks ago. Heading into Week 15, the Vikings are one of vie teams with a 6-7 record, all tied for the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC. The Vikings come into Sunday as the favorite, both because of this season, and how they have done historically against the Bears. What: NFL Football (Week 15)Who: Minnesota Vikings (6-7) vs. Chicago Bears (4-9)When: Monday, December 20Time: 8:15 p.m. ETWhere: Soldier Field (Chicago, Ill.)Channel: ESPN, ABCStream: FuboTV (7-day free trial), Sling, DirecTV StreamCheck out the NFL standings and results here

Never mind the comeback the Pittsburgh Steelers made in the second half.

Never mind the comeback the Pittsburgh Steelers made in the second half. Mike Tomlin had seen enough before that, and the 15th-year coach was so upset he started benching players in search of a spark. The defense gave up 176 yards rushing to the Minnesota Vikings in the first half.

The Minnesota Vikings held on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-28 by forcing an incomplete pass in the end zone on the final play.

Jared Goff threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown as time expired, lifting the previously winless Detroit Lions to a 29-27 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

The Detroit Lions are down to six more chances to win a game in coach Dan Campbell’s debut season.

ALLEN PARK -- After their brief Thanksgiving break, the Detroit Lions (0-10-1) are back at home, hosting the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) in Week 13 action. He’s expected to miss the team’s next two games, pushing running back Alexander Mattison into the starting lineup. Mattison started back in Week 5 against these Lions, running 25 times for 113 yards. Series history: The Vikings lead the all-time series 79-39-2, winning eight straight games dating back to 2017. 2021 (this season) -- Vikings 19, Lions 172021 (last season) -- Vikings 37, Lions 352020 -- Vikings 34, Lions 202019 -- Vikings 20, Lions 72019 -- Vikings 42, Lions 302018 -- Vikings 27, Lions 9

Minnesota beat Green Bay by making sure Aaron Rodgers didn't get to touch the ball last.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook maintains he was the victim in a fight last year with a former girlfriend suing him for personal injury.

The star running back's attorney claims he is being extorted and that the woman filing the suit was the aggressor.

Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook is facing a lawsuit from a former girlfriend for alleged assault, battery and false imprisonment.

Kirk Cousins completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to K.

A matchup at home Sunday against Detroit, the only winless NFC team, could get that unit back on track.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (0-4) and Minnesota Vikings (1-3) will meet in Week 5 for the rights to the NFC North’s cellar. Even with that said, start Swift with confidence. Lions players to sitRB Jamaal Williams -- Jamaal Williams has been really good this season when allowed to pound the rock. It’s just tough to count on Williams week in and week out from a fantasy perspective. Vikings players to start/sitSTART: WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, Vikings D/STMinnesota’s defense making this side of the list should be the lone surprise.

A matchup at home Sunday against Detroit, the only winless NFC team, could get that unit back on track.

DETROIT (0-4) at MINNESOTA (1-3)

ALLEN PARK -- The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears won last week, with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings losing ahead of their Week 5 showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium. They started slow, dug a hole and found a way to make it entertaining in the final frame against all odds. Dalvin Cook played through an ankle injury after missing Week 3′s game, running nine times for only 34 yards last week. Rodgers completed 20 of 36 passes for 248 yards with two touchdowns, with strong efforts on the ground from A.J. NFC North standings through four weeksPackers -- 3-1 Next: at BengalsBears -- 2-2 Next: at RaidersVikings -- 1-3 Next: vs. LionsLions -- 0-4 Next: at Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings accelerated past Seattle 30-17 for their first win over the Seahawks in 12 years.

Kyler Murray threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, and the Arizona Cardinals topped the Minnesota Vikings 34-33 after Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard field goal wide right in the final seconds.

After missing all but 3 games last season, expectations for the Panthers running back to return to form are high. Who else do the CBSSports.com fantasy experts have in their Top 10?

The Pro Bowl running back, Jones has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers and wont be exploring free agency. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones agent, confirmed that his client had agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million that includes a $13 million signing bonus. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers and won’t be exploring free agency. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones’ agent, confirmed that his client had agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million that includes a $13 million signing bonus. “We anticipated bigger offers in free agency, but Aaron wanted to stay with the Packers,” Rosenhaus said via email.

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)The NFC playoff field features the usual cast of quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 45, 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 6, 2011, at Arlington, Texas. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 48, 43-8 over the Denver Broncos on Feb. 2, 2014, at East Rutherford, N.J. Last year: No. The Bears’ leading tackler left in the first quarter of the Green Bay game with an elbow injury. DBs Buster Skrine, rookie Jaylon Johnson and Deon Bush missed the loss to Green Bay.

(AP Photo/Sam Craft)HOUSTON – Tennessee’s Derrick Henry became the eighth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season on Sunday. Henry, who entered the game with 1,777 yards rushing, reached the mark on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter on Sunday against the Houston Texans. He finished that drive with a career-high 246 yards rushing to give him the franchise record for a season with 2,023. Another long run, this one for 45 yards, put him at 201 yards rushing for the day later in the third quarter. Second-place rusher Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook entered this week with 1,557 yards rushing and missed Sunday’s game after the death of his father.

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Kirk Cousins danced in the end zone after running for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings went on to celebrate the end of a disappointing season with a 37-35 win over the lowly Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings (7-9) failed for the fourth time in a decade to make two straight trips to the playoffs. The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia. In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights. Alexander Mattison ran for 16 yards to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Lions 25 with 2:28 left, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock to seal the win.

The Detroit Lions wrap up the unusual 2020 season on Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions have had a rough year and look to cap off the season with a win. Streaming options include: fuboTV (free trial) | Hulu | Sling | YouTube TVDetroit’s quarterback, Matthew Stafford will look to finish out the season after battling injuries in the latter half of the year. The last time the Lions faced the Vikings, they had to contend with powerhouse running back, Dalvin Cook. WHO: Detroit Lions (5-10) vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-9)WHAT: Week 17 of the NFL regular seasonWHEN: 1 p.m. SundayWHERE: Ford FieldLIVE UPDATES: MLive.com/LionsTV: FOXRADIO: WJR-760 AMLIVE STREAM: fuboTV (free trial) | Hulu | Sling | YouTube TV

FINAL -- Minnesota Vikings 37, Detroit Lions 35Fourth quarter4:26 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on own 25Fullback C.J. 10:32 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25Holding call makes it first-and-20, but there’s no stopping Marvin Jones right now. Vikings 31, Lions 2311:29 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 21Welp, Harrison Smith picked Matthew Stafford off on third-and-9. Lions 6, Vikings 09:23 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on Detroit’s 42Romeo Okwara notches his 10th sack of the season, making it third-and-16. --Jamal Agnew fumbled on the punt return11:37 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on own 25Two rushes for Mattison don’t do much, third-and-7 for the Vikings here.

(AP Photo/Al Goldis)DETROIT – This season will end like so many others for Matthew Stafford: His Detroit Lions have a losing record and won’t be in the postseason. What's different now is that there are real questions about Stafford's future with the Lions. And if this is Stafford's last game with the Lions, it could be anticlimactic. The Lions (5-10) are coming off a 47-7 loss to Tampa Bay in which Stafford didn't play much. So Detroit will finish with double-digit losses for a third straight season and the sixth time in Stafford's tenure.

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)MINNEAPOLIS – Running back Dalvin Cook is not practicing with the Minnesota Vikings this week, due to the death of his father. Cook has a younger brother, James Cook, who is a running back for Georgia. He was picked for a second straight Pro Bowl, with 1,557 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns in 14 games. Cook’s absence will clinch a second consecutive rushing title for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who has a 220-yard lead on Cook. Cook has a slim lead on Henry atop the NFL with 1,918 total yards.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings each look to end the season on better notes than they fared in Week 16. Detroit lost 47-7, allowing 348 yards and four touchdowns to Bucs quarterback Tom Brady in just the first half. Oddsmakers have the Vikings (6-9) heading into Week 17 getting between 6.5 and 7.5 points on the Lions (5-10). Related: Detroit Lions climb to seventh overall pick, could still move into top 5Matthew Stafford’s list of injuries continues to grow, so Detroit heads into the weekend with uncertainty under center, again. Week 9 recap links:Observations: Lions crushed by Vikings for ninth straight loss against NFC NorthLions grades: Defense offers no resistance to Minnesota’s rushing attack in Week 9 loss ($)Detroit Lions destroyed by RB Dalvin Cook in 34-20 loss to Vikings: Live updates recap

Young and Jefferson made the Pro Bowl, and surely more rookies would have joined them as alternates at the league’s now-canceled all-star game. “It’s crazy unusual for a rookie, I think, to have the type of leadership that Chase has, genuine leadership,” Washington quarterback Alex Smith said. “I think a lot of young guys, especially high picks, I think you feel pressure to do it some way or somehow. “Talk about a rookie coming in, starting every game and just being focused,” Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said of Wills. “We’re growing and we’re starting to get a hang of the game,” said Dolphins right tackle Robert Hunt, a second-round pick and one of six Miami rookies starting on offense.

They do have a sack in an NFL-record 71 straight games and have sacked Philip Rivers 15 times during seven games while he played for the Chargers. Rivers has had two or more TD passes in five straight games. He had career bests of 10 catches for 163 yards last week, and Ridley's seven 100-yard games lead the NFL. The 19 straight seasons without losing both games to a divisional opponent is an NFL record. The Jaguars have allowed at least 24 points in each of those 13 games, an NFL record.

Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (39) celebrates at the end of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Cairo Santos, who converted all four of his kicks, stretched his streak to 22 straight field goals made. The Bears then intercepted a last-snap heave by Cousins into the end zone to drop the Vikings to 3-5 at home this year. When the Vikings beat them 19-13 five weeks ago in Chicago, the Bears managed two first-half field goals and needed a kickoff return touchdown by Cordarrelle Patterson to stay competitive. Vikings: play at New Orleans on Friday.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.

Ronald Jones had a 1-yard TD run and Ryan Succop kicked field goals of 18 and 48 yards. This time, Brady shrugged off a scoreless opening quarter with help from Bailey and a trio of costly of penalties on the Vikings' defense. Brady launched two of Tampa Bay’s three first-half scoring drives after Bailey missed field goals of 49 and 54 yards. Miller’s long TD catch wiped out the 6-0 lead the Vikings took on Cook’s 14th touchdown rushing. Buccaneers: travel to Atlanta for the first of two meetings with the NFC South-rival Falcons over final three weeks of the season.

Minnesota Vikings place kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 23-yard field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Cowboys, Panthers and Jaguars (1-11), who lost their 11th straight game, are a combined 8-27. Chase McLaughlin even had a chance to win it with a 62-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that fell short. FOUR FIGURESJefferson joined Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randy Moss (1998) as the only rookies in Vikings history to reach 1,000 receiving yards. Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney (calf) and TE Brandon Dillon (ankle) each left the game.

By Norm Elrod(CBS Minnesota) — As this most unusual 2020 NFL season enters December, the 8-3 Green Bay Packers control the NFC North. SportsLine‘s Kenny White, the Wizard of Odds, breaks down NFC North matchups in Week 13. “I’m going to go with Detroit,” says White. “I’m going to go with the new coaching staff, the team with a little more sense of urgency now. So I’m going to be one that will be taking the points with the Eagles.”

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO – Kirk Cousins threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and the Minnesota Vikings overcame a 104-yard kickoff return by Chicago’s Cordarrelle Patterson to beat the Bears 19-13 on Monday night. Bears quarterback Nick Foles got taken from the field on a cart in the game’s final minute. It was the longest kickoff return in franchise history, surpassing Gale Sayers’ 103-yarder against Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, 1967. Still, the Bears lost their fourth in a row, matching their longest skid since coach Matt Nagy was hired in 2018.

(CBS Minnesota) — The Green Bay Packers lead the NFC North, sitting at 6-2 with a favorable schedule ahead of them. They’ll have to contend with a Vikings team that’s riding one of the NFL’s hottest running backs in Dalvin Cook. SportsLine‘s Kenny White, the Wizard of Odds, breaks down NFC North matchups in Week 10. The Washington Football Team is giving up just 185.6 yards per game through the air, the best in the NFL. “Dalvin Cook at running back for the Vikings, he’s been tremendous since his return,” says White.

ALLEN PARK -- The Lions came within 64 yards of setting the franchise record for defensive futility last season. The Lions played defense a man short twice against Indianapolis two weeks ago, which is bad enough. But then they did it once again on Sunday in their 34-20 loss against Minnesota, for which there is no excuse. “Yeah it’s embarrassing, is what it is,” defensive coordinator Cory Undlin said. “It’s poor, poor coaching is what it is,” the first-year coordinator said.

ALLEN PARK -- Think you’re frustrated watching the Detroit Lions? “Oh, I’m frustrated," safety Duron Harmon said. At the end of the day, the last performance we put out there defensively was not a winning performance.”No kidding. Harmon, voted a captain of the defense, says he’s going to be stepping up personally to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But I have to be better, the team has to be better, and in the end, we will be better.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Everson Griffen stalked the field back and forth and back again, pacing furiously, waiting for his old team to run out of the tunnel. Still, Griffen surely wanted to prove to his old team that he was still great, and especially his old coach Mike Zimmer, who referred to Griffen as a good player last week, not great. “I got a little frustrated when I read that comment, what Zimmer said about, ‘Oh, Everson was a good player,’” Griffen said last week. “Like, Coach Zimmer wasn’t just a good coach, he was a great coach to me. So for him to call me a good player, that kind of hurt my feelings.

Two months after releasing their all-time rusher, the Minnesota Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook. Former Lions running back Ameer Abdullah took a screen pass 22 yards for a score, giving Minnesota a 10-point advantage at the break. The show again belonged to Cook, whom Peterson admiringly called “a lethal weapon” this week. Jaleel Johnson stopped Peterson for a 4-yard loss on third-and-goal from the 1 in the second quarter. … Backup CB Tony McRae hurt his right knee while blocking during a punt return in the second quarter and was taken off on a cart.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Lions played defense with just 10 players for a 2-point conversion last week against Indianapolis. That’s really, really bad. The Lions said they were working on their communication this week, you know, with the NFL’s leading rusher on deck and everything. Dalvin Cook just ran for 163 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday, and is the reigning NFC offensive player of the week. Teams spend a lot of time trying to devise ways to bring that guy down -- and then the Lions sent 10 men onto the field to do it.

Cook ran 22 times for a career-high 206 yards, picking up a whopping 166 yards after contact. He’s a very, very, very good player and they do a great job up front blocking for him. 54′s a really good cover 'backer in this league. It was really good to get Austin Bryant out there tonight. Again, I would say one of the most impressive things I thought was really the yards after contact.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook ran all over the Detroit Lions in Minnesota’s dominating 34-20 win in Week 9. Cook ran the ball 22 times for a career-high 206 yards and two touchdowns. Observations: Lions crushed by Vikings for ninth straight loss against NFC NorthLive updates recap: Detroit Lions destroyed by RB Dalvin Cook in 34-20 loss to VikingsMinnesota’s rushing attack was so lethal Sunday that Kirk Cousins attempted only 20 passes. Dalvin Cook this year: pic.twitter.com/dMsbdEmrWX — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 8, 2020Find someone who loves you like @dalvincook loves his offensive linemen. 📱: https://t.co/EYGyNNxBPN pic.twitter.com/YED73bCVVw — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 8, 2020Let.

DETROIT – Dalvin Cook kept his brilliant season rolling by rushing for a career-high 206 yards and two scores on 22 carries, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 34-20 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Marvin Jones Jr. caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter that cut the lead to 13-10. Backup CB Tony McRae hurt his right knee while blocking during a punt return in the second quarter and was taken off on a cart. ... FS Tracy Walker (foot) also had his first absence, replaced by Will Harris, who was banged up on the first play of the fourth quarter. With Mark Fields joining Mike Hughes on injured reserve this week and Holton Hill (foot) sidelined for a fourth straight game, the Vikings were missing four of their top six CBs.

Just ask the Detroit Lions, who now trail 20-10 at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. So perhaps someone should consider waking up their defense, which is getting absolutely blistered by Kirk Cousins once again. Cousins needed just five plays to go 67 yards to open the game, touchdown. Then five plays to go another 64 yards, touchdown. He finished the half 9 of 11 passing for 169 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.

The Detroit Lions last outing didn’t pan out the way they had hoped. Now, they head on the road where they’ll take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9 division action. While the Lions look to get back to .500, the Vikings look to avoid their sixth loss of the season. They’ll look to get Dalvin Cook the ball early after he had a big day last week. Related: How to watch, stream, listen to every Detroit Lions game in 2020 NFL seasonWHO: Detroit Lions (3-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-6)WHAT: Week 9 of the NFL regular seasonWHEN: 1 p.m. SundayWHERE: U.S. Bank Stadium -- Minneapolis, MN.

6:58 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 2Daniel hits Hockenson for the touchdown. Vikings 34, Lions 2010:05 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on own 39Third-and-6 -- Lions hold Mattison to 4 yards. Vikings 34, Lions 1314:35 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 31Marvin Jones makes the most of another catch, fighting hard for the first down. 2:59 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on Minnesota’s 22First-and-goal at the 9-yard line after more Danny Amendola. 4:40 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on own 28It’s a quick third-and-5 here for the Vikings.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have a chance to get back to .500 against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. His wife, Kelly Stafford, has posted updates to Instagram throughout the week, saying the family has remained negative. Speaking with reporters in Detroit for the first time, Griffen went off on Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. Matthew Stafford remains on track to play despite missing practice while in isolation on the COVID list all week. A.D. has double-digit carries in five of seven games despite his yards per carry dropping each week.

Hall is going for $3,800 in DraftKings lineups for Week 9, for what it’s worth, putting him a tick above Amendola. Hall played two games without Stafford, catching two passes for 60 yards from former Lions quarterback Jeff Driskel. Related: T.J. Hockenson answers coach’s call to get more separation from coverageWR Marvin Hall --Matthew Stafford goes deep to Marvin Hall for a gain of 73 yards! He has 35 catches for 442 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. He has 11 catches for 149 yards and no scores through seven games.

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)NEW YORK – All the votes are in. And the Pittsburgh Steelers kept the top spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll. The Steelers received 10 of the 12 first-place votes for 382 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Steelers improved to 7-0 for the second time in franchise history after holding off the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 on Sunday. And the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off a bye, moved up one spot to round out the top 10.

Green Bay had the ball at Minnesota's 41-yard line with 12 seconds and no timeouts left, but D.J. Each of the Vikings’ first four possessions ended with Cook touchdowns. Green Bay went a 2-point conversion got within 28-22 when replays determined the ball crossed the goal line on Jamaal Williams’ inside run. Green Bay got the ball back and reached Minnesota’s 41-yard line with 12 seconds and no timeouts left, but D.J. Four times in the second half, Green Bay reached Vikings territory without scoring.

The Denver Broncos have completed a remarkable comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a 31-30 victory on Drew Lock's 1-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Dalvin Cook scored four times for the Minnesota Vikings, who held on for a 28-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Cook has scored six touchdowns in two games against Green Bay this season. The Vikings and Green Bay Packers are tied 7-all in the final minute of the first quarter. This is shaping up to be a windy day in Green Bay.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)Dalvin Cook is back for the Minnesota Vikings from a one-game absence, his injured groin cleared to play in Green Bay. Packers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Raven Greene, RB Aaron Jones, LB Randy Ramsey, OT David Bakhtiari, DL Billy Winn. ___LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MIAMIRams: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL A’Shawn Robinson. Dolphins: RB/WR Lynn Bowden Jr., RB Salvon Ahmed, FB Chandler Cox, CB Jamal Perry, RB Jordan Howard, DE Jason Strowbridge. Bengals: K Austin Seibert, WR John Ross III, RB Joe Mixon, OG Michael Jordan, C Trey Hopkins, OT Bobby Hart, OT Jonah Williams.

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

(CBS Minnesota)- No Thursday night football this week so still plenty of time to make lineup decisions before kick off of Week 6 on Sunday afternoon. Jamey Eisenberg’s “Start of the Week” is Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison. After seeing starting back Dalvin Cook go down with an injury last week, it would appear Mattison is in line for the the start this week against the Falcons. “He is a must start play for you with Dalvin Cook likely out dealing with that adductor strain. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Projected Points: 12.8Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons, Projected Points: 12.4Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals, Projected Points: 10.1TE:Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers, Projected Points: 7.1Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings, Projected Points: 8.5Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers, Projected Points: 8.7

Let’s dive right into this week’s top waiver wire adds heading into Week 6. As of this writing, there is no word on the severity of Cook’s injury. Even if Cook’s injury is minor, Mattison needs to be added as possibly the top handcuff RB in the NFL. Five games into the season, Graham has already topped his touchdown total from 2019. Considering the state of the tight end position every season, Graham is certainly worth an add in hopes that he keeps producing in the red zone.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)SEATTLE – Russell Wilson capped a 94-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf on fourth-and-goal with 15 seconds left, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-26 on Sunday night. Seattle improved to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history with Wilson providing some more prime-time magic and yet another late comeback. Seattle appeared to get a winning TD to Metcalf on second-and-goal, but he lost the ball as he was hit from behind. After Cousins' pass was intercepted by K.J. After Seattle punted for a second time inside Vikings territory, Cousins led Minnesota 97 yards, capping the drive with a 6-yard TD pass to Thielen.

MINNEAPOLIS – Stephen Gostkowski made his career-high sixth field goal of game, a 55-yarder with 1:48 left that lifted undefeated Tennessee to a 31-30 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday after Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill carried the Titans on another comeback. Henry rushed for 119 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns for the Titans, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 after trailing for most of the game. Tannehill passed for 321 yards, guiding the Titans on a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter or overtime for the sixth time in 16 games since becoming the starter. The Titans are 12-4 behind Tannehill, including the playoffs, and they're 15-0 when Henry hits the 100-yard mark. The depleted Vikings defense didn't do enough to hold it, though, as Tannehill moved the Titans just close enough for Gostkowski to go to work.

Davante Adams was predictably the biggest beneficiary, with a career-high, franchise-record-tying 14 catches for 156 yards and two scores. Aaron Jones rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Packers, who posted their highest score against the Vikings since a 44-31 victory at the Metrodome on Oct. 27, 2013. Jaire Alexander, who also recorded a safety on an untouched cornerback blitz in the second quarter, made the bobbling interception. When LG Lucas Patrick (shoulder) was forced out in the second quarter, Jenkins moved back to his original spot and free agent addition Rick Wagner entered at RT. ... DT Kenny Clark (groin) was hurt in the second quarter during Alexander's interception and didn't return.

FILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)MINNEAPOLIS Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team activities with the Minnesota Vikings, no longer willing to participate until he has secured a new contract. The three-year, $39 million contract Arizona gave David Johnson, who's now with Houston, might be the most realistic model. Gordon took a two-year, $8 million contract with Denver.

Minnesotas long-dominant defense had been slipping for the past several weeks, a proud and seasoned group that needed to get its edge back. The Vikings gave hardly any ground against the sputtering Detroit Lions. Danielle Hunter had three of Minnesotas five sacks to spearhead a resurgence by the defense, and the Vikings sailed past Detroit 20-7 on Sunday to stick the Lions with their sixth straight loss. The Lions entered the week averaging 5.8 yards per play, the fourth-best in the NFL, but the Vikings held them to 3.2. The previous time the Vikings were beaten at home by the Lions at any point during the second half of the schedule was on Dec. 14, 1997.

The Lions lost because they couldnt stop Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Kirk Cousins, and the rest of the Minnesota offense. The Lions were on the wrong end of some questionable calls late in their 23-22 loss at Green Bay on Monday night. Their fans came ready to vent their frustration against Minnesota, but quarterback Matthew Stafford said that reaction didnt affect the players much. It doesnt have any effect on me, I dont think it does on the guys on our team, Stafford said. I dont think the frustration or really the emotion of playing the game is ever wiped out.

Mitch Trubisky went 25-31 with three touchdown passes, as the Bears took advantage of a forgiving Washington Redskins defense. Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is dogged by some of the same questions as Cousins. Trubisky went 26-45 for 228 yards in Week 1, but the Bears put up just three points. Cousins and Trubisky face tough tasks in Week 4. And both will rely heavily on their run games in the face of these daunting defenses.