Kirk Cousins

Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback #8
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback #8
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Kirk Cousins News

Makes abbreviated appearance

Cousins completed 17 of 20 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-13 win over the Bears.

Analysis: Cousins' output came despite him only playing the first half of Sunday's game. With Minnesota preparing for the playoffs, backup Nick Mullens filled in while Cousins was rested after halftime. In the wake of a poor performance in Green Bay last weekend, Cousins' improvement Sunday -- when he set a season high for completion percentage -- should help his confidence heading into the postseason.

Jan 8, 2023 1:43 PM EST


May not play full game

Head coach Kevin O'Connell intimated Friday that Cousins and other key starters on offense and defense may not play the entirety of the Vikings' Week 18 game in Chicago, Joe Nelson of SI.com reports. "We've got a pretty clear cut plan with how we want to go about the whole game, but we're going to go in with the expectation of our guys going and try to get off to a good start and play good football," O'Connell said.

Analysis: Minnesota is assured no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs regardless of how this weekend's games transpire, but since the Vikings will need a win over the Bears plus a Cardinals win over the heavily-favored 49ers to climb to the No. 2 seed, O'Connell may not have much incentive to expose key players to an injury heading into the wild-card round. While Cousins and all of the Vikings' other starting skill-position players look poised to play at least one series, the uncertainty of whether they'll play much beyond makes it tough to rely on any in Week 18 season-long or DFS lineups.

Jan 6, 2023 3:02 PM EST



Three picks in Sunday's loss

Cousins completed 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers. He added 37 rushing yards and three carries.

Analysis: It was a rough day for the entire Vikings offense at Lambeau Field, as Cousins lost two offensive linemen in injuries during the game and had little time or space in which to operate. He was replaced by Nick Mullens late in the rout, as the Vikings prioritized keeping Cousins healthy ahead of the playoffs, and with nothing but seeding to play for in Week 18 against the Bears, it wouldn't be surprising if Mullens got the start.

Jan 1, 2023 8:47 PM EST


Another big effort in win

Cousins completed 34 of 48 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Giants.

Analysis: While the veteran QB didn't quite manage to throw for 400 yards, or even 300, for a third straight game, Cousins still tossed three more touchdowns, giving him a 13:3 TD:INT over the last five contests. He's reached 4,000 passing yards for the third straight season and the seventh time in the last eight years, and Cousins will take massive momentum into a Week 17 clash with the Packers.

Dec 24, 2022 4:39 PM EST


Four TDs in 33-point comeback

Cousins completed 34 of 54 passes for 460 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday's 39-36 overtime win over the Colts.

Analysis: Everything that could go wrong did for the Vikings as they fell behind 33-0 in the first half, including a Cousins pick-six. In the third quarter, Cousins connected with K.J. Osborn for a 63-yard gain and a two-yard touchdown to get Minnesota on the board with the first of three consecutive Vikings touchdown drives. Cousins capped the third of those drives with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson before derailing the following possession with his second interception. The veteran quarterback bounced back with touchdown passes to Adam Thielen (one yard) and Dalvin Cook (64 yards), the latter of which Cousins followed with a two-point conversion to T.J. Hockenson to tie the score at 36. A field goal in the final minute of overtime capped the historic comeback and improved Minnesota's record to 11-3 heading into a Week 16 visit from the Giants.

Dec 17, 2022 2:34 PM EST



Racks up numbers in loss

Cousins completed 31 of 41 passes for 425 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Analysis: While his numbers are largely the result of the Vikings trailing from the second quarter on, fantasy managers will naturally take the season-high yardage total and seventh multi-touchdown effort of the campaign. Cousins most frequently connected with Justin Jefferson as customary, with the star receiver bringing in 11 of his completions for 223 yards. Despite the disappointing loss, the Vikings are 10-3 and still in the driver's seat for the NFC North crown, and Cousins will aim to get them quickly back in the win column during a Saturday afternoon Week 15 home matchup versus the Colts.

Dec 11, 2022 2:01 PM EST


Manages Vikings to victory

Cousins completed 21 of 35 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Jets.

Analysis: Cousins struggled significantly against the tough Jets' defense and was held to only 4.9 yards per attempt. However, he limited mistakes -- he didn't turn the ball over -- and threw a key touchdown to Justin Jefferson from 10 yards away midway through the fourth quarter. Though the Vikings have had plenty of team-level success on the campaign, Cousins has now failed to throw for multiple scores in three of his last four games.

Dec 4, 2022 6:26 PM EST


Prolific production in Week 12 win

Cousins completed 30 of 37 passes for 299 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots on Thursday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on one rush attempt.

Analysis: Cousins rose to the challenge against a tough Patriots defense, following his forgettable 105-yard performance against the Cowboys four days prior. The veteran signal-caller opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson to cap off the first possession of the game before subsequently hitting T.J. Hockenson and Adam Thielen for additional touchdown tosses in the second and fourth quarter, respectively. The latter closed out a clutch six-play, 71-yard march that ended up being the difference in the game, and it afforded Cousins his first three-touchdown effort of the season. He'll aim to keep the Vikings offense hot in an unenviable Week 13 home matchup against the Jets a week from Sunday.

Nov 24, 2022 8:49 PM EST


Pulled after poor showing

Cousins completed just 12 of 23 pass attempts for 105 yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 40-3 blowout loss to Dallas.

Analysis: Cousins was harassed by the Cowboys pass rush from start to finish, resulting in seven sacks for a collective loss of 49 yards Sunday. The offensive line stood no chance against Micah Parsons and company, and the team lost starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion) to add insult to literal injury. Things won't get any easier for Cousins with a short week on tap against a tough Patriots defense Thursday. The silver lining for fantasy managers is that the Thanksgiving game will be an indoor home matchup, as opposed to playing a late-season game in harsh conditions at Foxborough.

Nov 20, 2022 7:41 PM EST


Tops 350 yards in OT win

Cousins completed 30 of 50 passing attempts for 357 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while rushing six times for 12 yards in Sunday's 33-30 overtime win over the Bills.

Analysis: Cousins opened the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, but Minnesota proceeded to fall into a 27-10 hole before Cousins led them back. He was stuffed on a 4th and goal rushing attempt inside the one-yard line in the final minute, but Buffalo fumbled the snap on the next play and Minnesota's defense recovered for the go-ahead touchdown. Cousins then engineered the go-ahead drive in overtime while flashing brilliant chemistry with Jefferson, who accounted for 193 of Cousins' 357 yards. The 34-year-old quarterback has thrown at least one touchdown in each of Minnesota's first nine games to guide the team to an 8-1 record heading into a Week 11 visit from the Cowboys.

Nov 13, 2022 2:50 PM EST


Strong showing in close win

Cousins completed 22 of 40 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday. He also netted minus-2 yards on two rush attempts.

Analysis: Cousins put together his fourth 250-yard-plus tally in the last six games while helping snap his old squad's three-game losing streak in his first game back in the nation's capital. The veteran signal-caller did get the wind knocked out of him following a 47-yard completion to Justin Jefferson early in the fourth quarter per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but he ultimately missed just one play. Cousins now has a 5:0 TD:INT in his last three games going into an unenviable Week 10 road matchup against the Bills.

Nov 6, 2022 2:35 PM EST


Three total TDs in win

Cousins completed 24 of 36 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 22 yards and another score and lost a fumble.

Analysis: Cousins had one of his trademark efficient efforts, averaging a modest 6.4 yards per attempt against a Cardinals defense that had done a good job of limiting the production of top receivers this season. The veteran was under a fair amount of duress and took three sacks overall, one which resulted in a fumble at his own 24-yard line that helped lead to an Arizona field goal. However, he made up for it with touchdown passes of one and five yards to Johnny Mundt and K.J. Osborn, respectively, the latter which came just before the halfway point of the fourth quarter and proved to be the difference in the game. Cousins also had a 17-yard touchdown scamper to open the scoring on the afternoon, giving him plenty of momentum heading into a Week 9 road matchup against his old Commanders team.

Oct 30, 2022 2:31 PM EST


Two touchdowns in win

Cousins completed 20 of 30 passes for 175 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 24-16 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. He also netted minus-5 yards on two carries.

Analysis: Cousins stayed away from turnovers, but he also averaged just 5.8 yards per attempt and took three sacks. A significant chunk of his yardage tally came on a 47-yard pass to Justin Jefferson late in the third quarter that set up a two-yard touchdown toss to Adam Thielen two plays later. Cousins' other scoring connection came with Irv Smith from one yard out in the second quarter, and he's now posted a trio of two-touchdown efforts in his first six games in new head coach Kevin O'Connell's system. He'll aim to boost his yardage totals back up in a Week 8 Monday night home matchup against the Bears following a Week 7 bye.

Oct 16, 2022 2:53 PM EST


Totals two touchdowns

Cousins completed 32 of 41 passes for 296 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 29-22 win over the Bears. He also rushed four times for four yards and another score.

Analysis: Cousins was ultra efficient targeting top wideout Justin Jefferson, who finished with another monster performance of 12 catches for 154 yards. While Jefferson's production accounted for over half of Cousins' passing yards, the signal caller also notched a pair of one-yard touchdowns. First, he gave Jalen Reagor a push pass to score in the second quarter, before sneaking in himself to take the lead in the fourth. In doing so, Cousins helped the Vikings secure first place in the NFC North, giving them three consecutive wins ahead of Week 6's matchup versus the Dolphins.

Oct 9, 2022 1:25 PM EST


Mediocre in victory

Cousins completed 25 of 38 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Saints.

Analysis: Cousins moved the Vikings' offense effectively throughout the game but regularly stalled in the red zone. He managed his lone touchdown of the game midway through the first quarter on a 15-yard connection with Alexander Mattison. Cousins also regularly found Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen for solid gains, though his production was ultimately capped by his inability to finish drives. More positively, Cousins has managed at least 260 passing yards in three of four games to begin the season.

Oct 2, 2022 11:24 AM EST


Two touchdowns in victory

Cousins completed 24 of 41 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Cousins was forced to focus on his peripheral options as the Lions defensive gameplan was to keep the ball out of Justin Jefferson's hands. He took advantage, finding Adam Thielen and KJ Osborn for touchdowns of one and 28 yards, respectively. Cousins only averaged 6.3 yards per attempt, so he wasn't particularly efficient. However, he bounced back from a poor Week 2 performance and has managed at least 260 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in two of three games on the campaign.

Sep 25, 2022 5:28 PM EST


Takes step back in Week 2

Cousins completed 27 of 46 attempts for 221 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions and rushed twice for 20 yards in the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles on Monday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Minnesota.

Analysis: In contrast to a stellar first full game in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense in Week 1, Cousins slogged through a messy performance that saw him short-circuit drives at the goal line, the Eagles' 13-yard line and the end zone, the final pick occurring with 7:07 remaining and snuffing out any possibility of a comeback for Minnesota. Cousins threw his one touchdown to Irv Smith in the second quarter, and he continued to focus heavily on Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen to the tune of 10 completions on 19 targets. The veteran signal-caller will aim to bounce back in a Week 3 NFC North home battle against the Lions on Sunday.

Sep 19, 2022 8:42 PM EST


Throws two touchdowns

Cousins completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.

Analysis: Cousins leaned heavily on star wideout Justin Jefferson, finding him nine times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Still, it was an efficient outing from the signal-caller, playing a clean game in new coach Kevin O'Connell's debut. Cousins will strive to keep his squad's early-season momentum going in Week 2 versus the Eagles.

Sep 11, 2022 5:01 PM EST


Next start will be in Week 1

Cousins is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos.

Analysis: Cousins is one of 33 players the team announced as not slated to play in the contest, a group that included all of Minnesota's top skill players. Cousins' next start will occur in Week 1 against the Packers, with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn set to serve as his top options at wideout out of the gate this season.

Aug 27, 2022 4:46 PM EST


Doesn't expect to play in preseason finale

Cousins doesn't expect to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis: Supporting the notion that Cousins will be held out of the contest is that coach Kevin O'Connell doesn't expect many, if any of Minnesota's starters to play versus Denver. In that context, Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond and Nick Mullens would be the team's QB options on Saturday.

Aug 25, 2022 4:09 PM EST


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