At one point, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Kirk Cousins was the most underrated quarterback in the NFL. He famously made the comment while appearing in the “Quarterback” series. Now, NFL fans and critics are starting to realize what Mahomes meant.
Kirk Cousins led the Minnesota Vikings to a surprise win against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football (Oct. 23). In the Vikings’ impressive 22-17 victory over the formidable San Francisco 49ers, the quarterback, who is often criticized, truly stood out.
“Kirk Cousins was fantastic tonight in critical moments time after time, progressing, seeing the whole field, and absolutely dialed in in every phase of our game plan,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said following the game. Boy, is he right.
Cousins had an outstanding performance, excelling in all aspects of the game. He consistently released the ball quickly and accurately, making impressive throws that resulted in big gains. He also effectively utilized the entire field, spreading the ball around to his teammates. In the end, Cousins completed an impressive 35 out of 45 passes for 378 yards, scoring two touchdowns and only throwing one interception. Additionally, he managed to avoid being sacked throughout the game.
Cousins, with his exceptional leadership, guided the Vikings on an impressive streak of five consecutive scoring drives. This remarkable performance not only secured a massive victory. It also also ensured that their season remains on track as we approach November. The quarterback expressed his admiration for how the team responded to the initial challenges, emphasizing the significant impact it had on their overall success.
“Yeah, this game is going to punch you in the gut, and you’re going to have things that don’t go your way,” Cousins said of the first-drive turnover. “That turnover was tough, and you have to play through it. Play through the smoke, as my college coach used to say. So we were able to do that tonight, and clearly the way Jordan responded, he had a couple tough catches in traffic.”
He added, “The one very easily could have been an interception, and the other one the safety was driving. You could tell he made a decision that that’s not happening again, and it reflected in the way he played.”
Former Detroit Lion and current Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson commented, “It’s incredible to get to play with him. His demeanor, the way he sits in the pocket, how tough he is, the way he carries himself in the huddle it’s just incredible. He is a guy you want to play for.”
The Vikings had the opportunity to seal the game earlier if they successfully converted their red-zone possessions. However, the fact that they dominated a strong Niners team, which is predicted to compete for a Super Bowl, highlights the ability of O’Connell’s club to compete against any team when Cousins is performing at his best, just like he did on Monday night.
The Minnesota Vikings’ next game is on Sunday (Oct. 29) against the Green Bay Packers. Find the full Week 8 schedule here.
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