The Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks have played a close game on Monday Night Football. It has also been a punishing, bruising contest. Dalvin Cook knows this.

Cook, who scored a first-quarter touchdown to give the Vikings an early lead, endured a shoulder injury midway through the game. His status for a return to the game is questionable.

The 8-3 Vikings are trying to tie the 9-3 Green Bay Packers for first place in the NFC North. Green Bay won the first meeting earlier this season. The two teams play in Week 16 on the last Monday Night Football game of the season, on Dec. 23 in Minneapolis. Dalvin Cook is an essential part of what the Vikings try to do on offense, so his status rates as a major NFL storyline.

The 9-2 Seahawks are trying to tie the 10-2 San Francisco 49ers for first place in the NFC West. The Seahawks won the first meeting this season. The teams reunite in Seattle on the final Sunday of the regular season, Dec. 29.

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