Coming into Week 1, the questions in the Minnesota Vikings running back room centered on the departure of longtime running back Dalvin Cook. There were concerns about whether Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler would be able to make up the production lost by letting Cook go to the New York Jets this offseason.
We have an early answer to those concerns. Mattison finished off a 16-play, 74-yard drive with an impressive four-yard catch from Kirk Cousins to tie the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 17 early in the fourth quarter.
Buy Vikings Tickets.@AlexMattison22 would not be denied!!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/lmfAx9xFvO
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 10, 2023
Mattison has run with a lot of effort and tenacity, and this catch epitomized that.
Mattison was initially stopped in the backfield by rookie cornerback Christian Izien, who had already made a big play against the Vikings before the half. However, Mattison fought through that tackle and the efforts of two other Buccaneers before ending up in the end zone.
Stay tuned with Vikings Wire for more live updates from Week 1.
