In a regular 17-video game span, Kirk Cousins will have about nine superior game titles, 5 elite, two meh, and 1 full clunker in which he appears absolutely inept. On Sunday at Detroit, he authored just one of the elite performances, but it wasn’t very good adequate, as the Vikings fell to the Lions by a score of 34-23.
The Vikings now own a 10-3 history, with a “magic number” of just one to win the NFC North for the first time because 2017 and host at least one property playoff sport. The reduction in Detroit unquestionably wasn’t an “all is lost” affair, but it deflated some Vikings fans’ enthusiasm about Tremendous Bowl contendership.
And the loss was confusing mainly because the QB1 place forth his best sport — by significantly — of 2022, diming 425 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. Cousins done 76% of his passes and was just excellent for 4 quarters.
Regrettably, no person will don’t forget or care that Cousins was swelteringly hot, as NFL media is obsessed with “QB Record” as a authentic statistic, and this contest will be submitted in the “L” column. Cousins plays on a football crew with 52 other gamers, but his quarterback document will browse reduction in the box rating. The statistic is weird and hoodwinks even the most smart of folks.
Just before Sunday, groups that used a quarterback who handed for 425+ passing yards, 2+ landing passes, and picks in a one game experienced a report of 44-16 (.733) in NFL historical past. People groups have received 73% of the time since 1920. Very well, in opposition to the Lions in 7 days 13, the Vikings and Cousins joined the 27% darkish side, not able to get a grip defensively and assist Cousins’ great outing. Minnesota’s defense handed Detroit 34 details on 464 yards acquired.
The implication? The Vikings have a tangible issue. This is the time of the calendar year when very good football groups really should be honing their craft, strengthening weaknesses, and sharpening strengths. Minnesota’s protection looks hellbent on the reverse, turning into dreadful since the start out of the video game compared to the Dallas Cowboys. The group executed excellent in the 4th Quarter in opposition to Buffalo in 7 days 10, but just after that, it is a sob story of yards allowed and whole embrace of “bend but never crack.”
Way too, even in the course of a game the place Cousins looked surgical, the Vikings felt like they needed prayer to gain. Which is problematic. Cousins simply cannot perform protection. He can not snuff out fake punts. He’s the on-subject architect of the offense and is accountable for about 50% of the team’s operations.
Properly, he did his section on Sunday in his household state — to the tune of 425 yards, two scores, no turnovers, and a gaudy completion 76% fee.
It wasn’t plenty of. Fans must be apprehensive. The permeable “here, get all of these yards, but we won’t permit you score far too much” defense needs a quick introspective and maintenance on the fly. In any other case, the Vikings will lose their to start with or next playoff game, and all of the countrywide converse about “fraudulent Vikings” will be vindicated.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day-to-day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs each Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back again to 1996. Stated responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).