Prime-time Kirk Cousins flipped the script Monday night.
The oft-maligned quarterback shined in the Vikings 22-17 victory over the heavyweight San Francisco 49ers.
“Kirk Cousins was outstanding tonight, repeatedly shining in crucial moments. He continued to progress, had a full perspective of the field, and was completely focused on every aspect of our game plan,” said Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Vikings, in the post-game official transcript.
Cousins delivered an outstanding performance in every aspect, swiftly and timely distributing the ball, making impressive throws when possible, and utilizing the entire field. He completed 35 out of 45 passes for 378 yards, scoring two touchdowns and one interception, and avoided any sacks.
The game got off to an inauspicious start, with rookie wideout Jordan Addison getting the ball ripped away for an interception three plays in. The Vikings’ latest turnover provided Minnesota fans with a momentary “here we go again” vibe.
It didn’t last.
The Vikings, led by Cousins on five successive scoring drives, secured a huge victory that keeps their season alive as Halloween approaches. The QB stated the team’s response to early challenges was extremely telling.
“He warned that this game will hit you hard, and circumstances won’t always favor you,” he said, referring to the initial-drive turnover. “That turnover was challenging, but you must persevere. As my college coach would say, play through the smoke. We managed to do that tonight, and Jordan’s response was noticeable. He pulled off two difficult catches amidst heavy traffic. One could have easily resulted in an interception, and in the other, the safety was making a move. It was evident from his decision and subsequent performance that he was determined to avoid a repeat of the previous mistake.”
Cousins has frequently performed well out of the public eye during his 12-year career, producing impressive stats when fewer people are observing, but faltering when under the spotlight. However, this was not the case on this particular night.
The 35-year-old unfurled pass after pass to the perfect target in the perfect spot, frustrating the 49ers defense to no end. Cousins hit nine targets on the night, with Addison (7/123/2) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (11/86).
The offensive line provided ample time for Cousins, effectively shielding the QB from a formidable 49ers pass rush. Cousins managed to avoid any sacks from the Niners despite taking 45 dropbacks. When faced with pressure, the experienced player handled it with the skill of a seasoned sea captain, smoothly sidestepping oncoming threats and making sound decisions.
Cousins, who has previously been unsettled by pressure, managed to find a solution on Monday night. According to Next Gen Stats, under pressure Cousins achieved 15 out of 17 for 240 yards with a touchdown, an average of 14.1 yards per attempt, a passer rating of 138.4, and a completion percentage of 33.8-plus over the expected.
“We have a great quarterback back there and we know we just have to give him a little bit of time,” offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw said. “He’s going to make the play, but when pressure does get on him, he doesn’t back off. He doesn’t fold or flinch; he’s going to make the play.”
Cousins has made NFL history as the fifth quarterback to accumulate 50 career games with over 300 passing yards in his first 12 seasons, joining the ranks of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner. In 2023, he stood out as the only quarterback to have multiple games with over 350 passing yards, achieving this feat three times.
The quarterback wasn’t merely making short, safe passes downfield. He was also incredibly accurate on longer passes of over 10 air yards, completing 9 out of 12 attempts for a total of 201 yards. Furthermore, he scored two touchdowns, avoided any interceptions, and achieved a high passer rating of 156.3.
“It’s amazing to play alongside No. 8 and to witness the trust he places in his teammates, distributing the ball effectively,” said Hockenson. “In this offense, you’re never sure when the ball is coming your way, which is truly exciting. I’ve experienced teams where you can predict when you’ll receive the ball and when you won’t, but here, you have to always be ready as No. 8 will pass it back to you. It’s an amazing experience playing with him. His poise, his toughness in the pocket, his leadership in the huddle, it’s all simply outstanding. He’s the kind of player you want to play for.”
If the Vikings had capitalized on their red-zone possessions earlier, they could have sealed the game sooner. However, their dominant performance against a Niners team predicted to be a Super Bowl contender highlights that O’Connell’s team can compete with any other, especially when Cousins is as on form as he was on Monday night.
