NFL fans, and Minnesota Viking fans are no exception, love to blame the quarterback when things aren't going well. Sometimes, that's warranted. Other times, it's just an easy target.
Since Kirk Cousins signed with the Vikings prior to the 2018 season, on a 3-year $84 million dollar contract (fully guaranteed by the way), Cousins' play has been dissected at every turn.
There was certainly some underachievement in 2018. Finishing the year 8-7-1 and failing to win a game at the end of the season to get into the playoffs forced fans to question whether Cousins could get it done. Despite playing every snap (a rare occurance in the NFL), and throwing for over 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns, Cousins couldn't produce enough wins. And you could definitely critique Cousins for turnovers, especially fumbles, last season.
When you're a high-paid NFL quarterback, you have to be ready to be questioned. But Cousins produced in 2018 despite one of the worst offensive lines in the league (ranked 29th out of 32 teams by Pro Football Focus), and a running game that dealt with injuries to Dalvin Cook, and a big lack of production overall.
In 2019, the Vikings have already rushed for more yards then 2018. Definitely, the offensive line has improved and having a healthy Cook makes the offense much better.
After Cousins' first big comeback win against the Broncos on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings are 8-3 and fully in control of a playoff spot going into the bye week. A primetime road win in Dallas followed by the 4th biggest comeback in team history should give fans hope that this team is a real threat in the playoffs. Cousins lead 4 touchdown drives on 4 possessions in the second half. It's the first time in 50 years a team trailed by 20+, and scored on every second half possession to win a game. And the first time in 5 years a team came back from 20+ down at the half in the NFL (teams had been 0-99).
RELATED: It's the Vikings 4th biggest comeback ever in 27-23 win over Denver.
And it is time to say this: Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history. Maybe the best ever for a quarterback if he can keep up his current pace.
Here's why.
- Through 11 games, Cousins has once again played every snap. He's been remarkably durable as far as NFL QB's go.
- Cousins is completing over 70% of his passes, one of only three QB's over 70% (Drew Brees and Derek Carr the others).
- He's again on pace for over 4,000 yards. Keep in mind, only five times in Viking history has that happened (Cousins in '18, plus Culpepper, Moon twice, and Favre).
- Cousins has 21 TD's and only 3 interceptions.
- Cousins QB rating is 114.8 which would be a Viking record (Culpepper in '04 has the highest at 110.9). He's currently 2nd in the NFL behind Russell Wilson (114.9).
These numbers across a 16 game season, at his current pace, would look like this:
70% completion percentage, for 4,008 yards, 30 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a QB rating of 114.8. Those are MVP-calibar numbers and the best, statistically, in Viking history.
Granted, Fran Tarkenton had some terrific years during an era where quarterbacks never approached the kind of numbers today's do. A different era, and a different game.
But, to win in today's NFL, you need a quarterback to produce. Cousins is definitely producing. It's probably time to put aside talk of mega-contracts and what happened in 2018 and appreciate that Kirk Cousins is playing fantastic football right now.
Injuries
The Vikings couldn't have asked for a more appropriate bye week. This is a team that's pretty beat up. Four starters missed the game against Denver (Adam Thielen, Linval Joseph, Josh Kline and Anthony Harris).
Then, on Denver's late drive to try and win the game, All-Pro safety Harrison Smith wasn't on the field. He had reportedly tweaked his hamstring. And we've seen over the last month how tricky those injuries are with Thielen not being able to go.
No word yet on the severity of the injury, and there was no significant update after Sunday's game. Players will report for meetings Monday, then be off for the rest of the week. That will give Smith time to rest the injury in the hopes of playing in Seattle in two weeks.
Trae Waynes, Shamar Stephen, Mackensie Alexander, Xavier Rhodes and Eric Kendricks all played, but were listed on the injury report prior to the game. That's a lot of beat up players which you expect this time of the year. Clearly the Vikings need some rest before the crucial five-game stretch they have to end the season.
Speaking of Rhodes
The Vikings started the game Sunday with Xavier Rhodes isolated on Bronco receiver Courtland Sutton. Sutton finished the day with 113 yards. Zimmer said after the game, "Sutton was killing us", and eventually they started to double-team him.
That's something you rarely see from a Zimmer defense, and in the last couple of years, Rhodes could be depended upon to shut down the opposing team's best receiver.
It's not happening in 2019. The former Pro-Bowl corner is in the midst of a major slip in production. He's now ranked #100 out of 114 NFL cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus. He's been among the most penalized players in the leage, and given up more yardage on penalties than any player in the league.
Those numbers aside, he's not passing the eye test. He's had a hard time staying with receivers. Normally a solid tackler, he's missed a number including a huge whiff on 3rd down late in the game that lead to a first down for Denver.
Always struggling with staying healthy, it could be Rhodes is battling through some injury(s). Right now, Rhodes is hurting the team.
The good news is that the Vikings have a number of solid young options at corner. Waynes has been playing solidly, Mackensie Alexander has established himself as a good slot corner. And we may see more of Mike Hughes in the next five games now that he's fully recovered from his torn ACL.
Sloppy Mistakes
The Vikings made their share of mistakes in the first half Sunday. Including penalties. Their impact was large. Offsides, hands to the face, and pass interference kept drives alove for the Broncos. And there was an awful holding call on a long completion to Stefon Diggs negating a play that put the Vikings inside the Bronco 30-yard line.
While it was mostly cleaned up in the second half, linebacker Eric Wilson made a crucial mistake on a 4th down punt. With the Broncos facing 4th and 3 following a Viking TD and forcing a 3-and-out, Wilson jumped way offsides before the snap on the punt giving Denver a free first down. The Broncos went on to take over 4 more minutes off the clock, and put 3 points on the board with a field goal. It could have cost Minnesota the game.
There was also a fumble late in the first half by Ameer Abdullah, a Cousins fumble when the offensive line completely busted and let a rusher hit him from the backside, and a muffed punt by Hughes that luckily Wilson was able to fall on.
Welcome Back Viking Tight Ends
Early in the year, Kyle Rudolph was barely involved in the passing game. Rookie Tight End Irv Smith Jr. didn't make much of an impact.
But, with Thielen continuing to miss time with his bad hamstring, Kirk Cousins has once again discovered his tight ends. Sunday, Rudolph caught 5 passes for 67 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Smith added 3 catches for 20 yards plus his first-ever NFL TD. Rudolph now has 29 catches and 5 TD's for the year. All 5 touchdowns have come since week 7 and he has 4 in the last 3 games.
Monday Night Purple
Before the Vikings head to the bye, they'll have meetings Monday at TCO Performance Center. With players getting set for some time off, we'll talk to a couple on Monday Night Purple.
Right tackle Brian O'Neill and linebacker Eric Wilson will join News Talk 830 WCCO at B-52 in Inver Grove Heights from 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m. along with Joe Anderson and former Viking GM Jeff Diamond.
Stop by to meet the players, potentially get an autograph or photo, and enjoy great burgers and beverages at B-52. You can also listen live on 830 WCCO or on the Radio.com app.
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 1
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Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 2
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 3
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 4
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 5
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 6
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 7
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 8
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 9
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 10
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 11
© David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 12
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Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 13
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Kirk Cousins is having one of the best seasons in Viking history 14
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