Kirk Cousins Returns to Minnesota Looking to ‘Get Back Up Off the Mat’ After Recent Rough Stretch
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Kirk Cousins is no stranger to adversity. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his career, but he has always managed to bounce back. That’s what he’s hoping to do once again after a rough stretch that has seen the Vikings lose four of their last five games.
Cousins will have a chance to prove that he can still be a winning quarterback when the Vikings host the New York Jets on Sunday. It will be the first time that Cousins has faced his former team since he left Minnesota in free agency in 2018.
Cousins said he is looking forward to the challenge of facing the Jets. He said he has a lot of respect for the Jets’ defense, but he believes that the Vikings have what it takes to win the game.
“I think we’re a good football team,” Cousins said. “We’ve just got to find a way to get back on track. We’ve got to find a way to win some games. We’ve got to find a way to get back up off the mat. We’ve got to find a way to get back to playing our best football.”
Vikings’ Offense Struggling
The Vikings’ offense has struggled in recent weeks. In their last five games, the Vikings have averaged just 17.2 points per game. That’s down from their season average of 24.8 points per game.
Cousins has been a big part of the Vikings’ offensive struggles. In his last five games, Cousins has thrown for just 1,041 yards, with six touchdowns and four interceptions. His passer rating is 84.9, which is down from his season average of 97.5.
Cousins said he knows that he needs to play better. He said he is working hard to improve his performance and he is confident that he can turn things around.
“I’m not going to make any excuses,” Cousins said. “I’m not going to point fingers. I’m not going to blame anybody else. I’m going to take ownership of my performance. I’m going to take ownership of the offense’s performance. I’m going to take ownership of the team’s performance. And I’m going to find a way to get better.”
Vikings’ Defense Holding Strong
While the Vikings’ offense has struggled, the defense has played well. In their last five games, the Vikings have allowed just 16.8 points per game. That’s down from their season average of 22.8 points per game.
The Vikings’ defense has been led by Danielle Hunter, who has recorded 10.5 sacks this season. Eric Kendricks and Harrison Smith have also been key contributors to the defense.
The Vikings’ defense will be facing a tough test against the Jets, who have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The Jets are averaging 28.4 points per game this season, which is fourth in the NFL.
The Vikings’ defense will need to play its best game of the season if they want to beat the Jets. If they can do that, the Vikings will have a good chance of getting back on track and getting their season back on the right path.
Prediction
The Vikings are a 3-point favorite over the Jets on Sunday. The Vikings have a good chance of winning the game if they can get their offense going. The Jets’ defense is tough, but the Vikings’ offense has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL. If Cousins can play well and the Vikings’ defense can continue to play at a high level, the Vikings should be able to get the win.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Jets 20