Jerick McKinnon could force the Vikings ' hand. (USATSI)

Matt Asiata has been the lead running back in Minnesota almost by default since Adrian Peterson's deactivation, but rookie Jerick McKinnon has been lurking for the last few weeks. And, on Sunday, he finally broke out in a big way against the Falcons.

Asiata worked every snap of the first two drives Sunday, and was only spelled by McKinnon to start the third drive in the second quarter. However, McKinnon ripped off a 55-yard run to start his day, and seemingly forced the Vikings to change their game plan on the fly with how well he ran the ball. From that point on, the two backs split playing time nearly evenly, with McKinnon playing 32 of the final 63 offensive snaps, to Asiata's 31.

Really, you could easily argue McKinnon deserved more playing time than that. Though Asiata found the end zone three times in goal-line work Sunday, McKinnon was the more impressive runner overall. He showed a burst and shiftiness that Asiata simply cannot muster. Even on his longest run of the day, Asiata simply takes what the defense gives him:

McKinnon, on the other hand, made plays throughout the game. Even if you throw out his 55-yard run to open things up, he outgained Asiata, with a higher yards per carry to boot. It is tough to picture Asiata making much out of either of these plays, which McKinnon turned into positive gains:

On the following play, Asiata faces a similar situation, with a running lane available of his cuts back. He had more room than he realizes, but instead runs into the crowded right side of the line for no gain:

McKinnon even got some goal-line work of his own, though he fell just short of his first NFL touchdown on this second quarter run, which does highlight one advantage Asiata has:

Asiata is a hard runner who found the end zone three times on a trio of goal-line plunges, and he certainly seems better suited for work on the goal line. That run by McKinnon was initially ruled a touchdown, but he ended up being dragged down just short, whereas Asiata may have been able to power his way in.

This was only one game against a Falcons defense that was all out of sorts, so Fantasy owners should not expect stardom out of McKinnon at this point. Still, he looks like the better all-around back in Minnesota, and seems likely to force his way into the lineup even more, just like he did Sunday. He even showed he can be a competent receiver out of the backfield, a skill Teddy Bridgewater has taken advantage of with nine targets in less than two games:

If you have to own one back in Minnesota, Asiata is the guy. He has a more assured role, and will continue to see work near the end zone, no matter how much McKinnon cuts into his playing time. This could end up being a similar situation to what Cincinnati had last year, when BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard splitting the workload, until Bernard proved he was worthy of being a featured back.

McKinnon may not be a star in the making like Bernard, but he has the sort of all-around skill set that can make him a solid Fantasy contributor if he gets the chance. He is worth targeting on waivers this week, based on what he showed Sunday.