In his first game back since suffering an adductor strain in Seattle three weeks ago, Vikings running back Dalvin Cook made history in Minnesota's 28-22 upset victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Cook became the first player to score a touchdown on each of his team's first four possessions of a game since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. Minnesota's first four drives resulted in the following: a 21-yard rushing touchdown, back-to-back 1-yard rushing touchdowns and a 50-yard receiving touchdown, all of which were made possible by the fourth-year running back and some timely blocks from his teammates, who Cook rewarded by letting them spike the ball after three of his four scores.
Cook's monster day in Green Bay puts him in elite company.
He is the third player in franchise history to record four TDs in a game, a feat first achieved by Chuck Foreman in 1975 and then by Ahmad Rashad four years later. He joined Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and Adrian Peterson as the only players in NFL history with multiple games with at least 150 rushing yards versus the Packers in their careers.
Cook is also the first player ever to surpass 200 yards from scrimmage and score four TDs against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Of Minnesota's 324 net yards of offense, Cook accounted for 163 yards on 30 carries and caught two passes for 63 yards, including his career-long 50-yard catch on a screen pass that resulted in his fourth and final touchdown.
Cook was limited Wednesday and Thursday in practice, but given the way he was feeling on Friday, the running back stated postgame that he knew he would be full go in Green Bay.
Sunday marked the first triumph of Cook's career at Lambeau Field. The Vikings are now 2-5 after starting out the season with three consecutive losses.
