Cousins Flopped
Kirk Cousins didn’t have the start he has was hoping for in Atlanta.
Against a Pittsburgh Steelers team making a late switch to Justin Fields, Cousins could lead his side to just ten points as the Falcons dropped to 0-1. Along the way, Cousins put together some modest statistics that will surely cause at least a little frustration when watching the game film.
Kirk Cousins Off to a Modest Start
No doubt, the season is a long one. Prophesying doom and gloom for football in Georgia would as foolish as throwing a parade for one dominant win in Minnesota.
Even still, the debut was disappointing for Mr. Cousins, the veteran passer who was/is being thought of as the missing piece for an offense that boasts some impressive talent in Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts (among others).
By the end of the contest, the numbers were poor: Cousins had gone 16/26 for 155 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. The second pick was the worst one since it occurred late in the 4th when Atlanta was trying to come back from their deficit.
Even worse, his side scored only ten points and they possessed the football for just 24:24. On 3rd down, Atlanta went a measly 2/9. At various points, Cousins got walloped by Pittsburgh’s defense.
Oh, and there was a fumble, but that occurred when the snap hit a Falcon who was moving in motion.
Now, keep in mind that the veteran is playing his first game after tearing his Achilles. Partner that reality with playing for a new team against a strong defense and maybe a modest effort should have been anticipated.
The Vikings, meanwhile, were getting the Sam Darnold era off the ground in New Jersey.
The much-doubted journeyman had a really crisp day. He finished 19/24 for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Even more important, perhaps, is that Darnold looked poised and in control of the offense. Darnold doesn’t lack for talent, so seeing him play with confidence — something Justin Jefferson has emphasized — is critical.
Minnesota now moves into a critical tilt with the San Francisco 49ers, the team Darnold played for in 2023, in Week 2. The game will occur at U.S. Bank Stadium.
And while there could be a bit of schadenfreude in seeing Kirk Cousins have a modest day, there is a real implication for the Vikings. Both teams could be battling for the same Wild Card slot when it’s all said and done. Any chance we look back to the outcome in Week 1 as being of critical importance? Neither side is expected to be dominant and yet neither side should be disastrous, either. Battling for the Wild Card is plausible for both sides, so every win is vitally important.
Minnesota and Atlanta play each other in Week 14. The game will take place in the Twin Cities, so expect some combination of cheers and boos for the passer who called Minnesota home for six seasons.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.
