’Noles in the NFL: Week 8

Dalvin Cook

I’m leading off this column with Dalvin Cook again because he is a legitimate contender for MVP and anybody who says otherwise can kick rocks.

See, Booger agrees:

Cook starred in Minnesota’s Thursday night win with 23 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown, 5 catches for another 73 yards, and an unofficial 10 ankles broken:

Adrian Peterson, the former Viking who moved up to sixth all-time in rushing during the game, met with Cook at midfield and imparted some wisdom:

Ronald Darby

Darby had a nice outing in his return from injury that doubled as a revenge game against his former team, the Buffalo Bills. Darby recorded two solo tackles and a pass defended on a key fourth down stop:

Auden Tate

Tate has been making circus catches over the past few weeks and this week was no different in a 5 catch 65 yard performance:

Jameis Winston

Winston had an up and down (mostly down) day with a statline of 21/43 301 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Winston also fumbled three times, losing two of them.

The Bucs did battle back before being hosed by the referees on a blocked kick that should’ve been a touchdown if not for the play being blown dead prematurely.

Winston’s head coach had his back on the interceptions thrown, but the remains that he just has to be better.

Rodney Hudson

Unfortunately for the Raiders, the best center in the game was carted off with an injury early in the game and it doesn’t look good for the veteran:

Other Notable Statlines

Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings: recorded 4 solo tackles.

Dustin Hopkins, Washington Redskins: Scored all of Washington’s points on the night, making three field goals with a long of 43.

Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: Freeman salvaged a poor day running the ball (39 yards on 13 carries) with another good performance as a pass catcher with 63 yards on 8 catches. In fairness to Freeman, the Falcons went away from the run earlier as they were down big in the game as they have been for much of the year.

Christian Jones, Detroit Lions: Jones had 6 tackles (5 solo) and a pass defended.

Demarcus Walker, Denver Broncos: Recorded one solo tackle.

Trey Marshall, Denver Broncos: Also recorded a solo tackle.

Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams: Ramsey had 6 solo tackles on the day.

Lamarcus Joyner, Oakland Raiders: Had 5 solo tackles and a pass defended.