Los Angeles: The season-opening spotlight was supposed to be on former league MVP and longtime Vikings star Adrian Peterson’s return to Minnesota, but rookie running back Dalvin Cook stole the show with an explosive performance.
The 22-year-old looked like a seasoned veteran in his National Football League debut on Monday as he rushed 22 times for 127 yards in the Vikings 29-19 win over the New Orleans Saints in the first game of the 2017 regular season for both teams.
That spoiled the return of running back Peterson, who signed with the Saints as a free agent in the off season.
With Peterson sitting on the sidelines for much of his New Orleans’ debut, Cook seized command as his 127 yards was 24 more than Peterson’s Viking debut, and almost double what Peterson gained last season in Minnesota.
The knock on Cook heading into the season was his inexperience as a pass protector and a tendency to fumble. But the second-round draft pick in 2017 showed none of that on Monday in front of a crowd of 66,000 at US Bank stadium.
The former league MVP Peterson spent his first 10 seasons with the Vikings, but is now a complimentary player in New Orleans. After getting the first two carries of the game, for last year’s No. 1 NFL offence, Peterson went silent. He finished with just six carries for 18 yards.
Vikings’ quarterback Sam Bradford threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs scored two touchdown receptions in the first half.
Bradford completed 27 of 32 passes with no turnovers. Adam Thielen caught nine passes for 157 yards, and tight end Kyle Rudolph added a touchdown reception for Minnesota.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was 27 of 37 for 291 yards and one touchdown.
In the late game, the Chargers open their season against the Denver Broncos in their first game since moving from San Diego to Los Angeles.
