Tracking Kirk Cousins
We will track Kirk Cousins all year long in his second season as the Vikings quarterback.
Inside the numbers
Attempts24
Completions15
Yards174
Touchdowns1
Interceptions0
Passer rating 112.0
Turnovers0
Performance
Grade: 8 out of 10
The Vikings and Cousins returned to playing on their schedule, which meant fewer throws and plenty of handoffs while, at one point, leading 21-0 against the Raiders in the second quarter. A slow start was avoided on the opening drive on third down thanks to WR Stefon Diggs, who drew a holding penalty on a Raiders cornerback; instead of a Britton Colquitt punt, the Vikings moved the chains on the third-and-9 play and scored a touchdown four plays later. In the second quarter, Cousins nearly scored a rushing touchdown on a quarterback draw from the Raiders 5-yard line, but took an unnecessary hit near the goal line instead of going down.
The Good
Fast start: Two consecutive passes for 55 yards and a touchdown put Cousins on the fast track early, ensuring the rest of his Sunday was light work. Cousins hit rookie tight end Irv Smith Jr. in stride on a 20-yard completion down the seam. On the next play, Cousins faked a handoff and rolled to his left, where he found receiver Adam Thielen wide open on a deep crossing route to his right. Cousins threw across his body and hit Thielen in stride for a 35-yard touchdown. The Vikings' play-action and screen games were rolling against the Raiders.
The Bad
Minor hiccups: There were still minor flaws despite Cousins' 112 passer rating. He tripped over rookie center Garrett Bradbury on the first snap, resulting in a 4-yard loss on first down. Cousins was also hit with intentional grounding on the third series, when the Raiders blitzed on first down. To avoid a sack, Cousins threw to nobody, drawing the penalty. Running back Dalvin Cook's 18-yard screen catch dug the offense out of the hole. Cousins also had a third-and-9 pass batted down at the line in the second quarter.
Quotable
"When I can get the edge and stand there and be able to wait on Adam to cross the field, that's the key to the play. And you know, last week [in Green Bay] they were taking away those edges or those clean edges. You couldn't get them, so those plays weren't able to develop." — Cousins on the 35-yard touchdown pass to Thielen.
Analysis
Another quiet fourth quarter: Because of back-to-back home blowout wins against the Falcons and Raiders, Cousins has yet to attempt a pass in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2019. That's obviously not sustainable. His play in the fourth quarter remains under a microscope after he posted a 100.4 passer rating in final quarters last season but committed eight of his 17 turnovers in those critical fourth-quarter moments.
Andrew Krammer