Assessing Kirk Cousins’ Performance as Quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings

“From the frozen tundra of Minnesota to the fiery passion of Vikings fans, there’s one name that has been on everyone’s lips: Kirk Cousins. As the quarterback for the beloved purple and gold, Cousins’ performance on the field has sparked intense debates among football enthusiasts. Today, we dive deep into his remarkable journey, analyzing every pass, every play, and dissecting what truly makes him a force to be reckoned with. So grab your helmet and get ready as we assess Kirk Cousins’ extraordinary reign as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings!”

Introduction to Kirk Cousins as Quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins is in his first season as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, and so far, he’s been impressive. In nine games, he’s completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 2,685 yards and 17 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He’s also rushed for four touchdowns.

Cousins has been particularly effective in the red zone, where he’s completed 23 of 32 passes for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. That’s a big improvement over last year’s starter, Case Keenum, who only had 19 touchdown passes and seven interceptions in the red zone.

The Vikings offense has been humming under Cousins, ranking seventh in the NFL in points per game (26.2). They’ve also been very balanced, with Cousins throwing for nearly as many yards (2,685) as they’ve rushing for (2,664).

So far, it looks like the Vikings made a wise decision to sign Cousins to a three-year, $84 million contract this offseason. He’s giving them exactly what they hoped for: solid play at quarterback that is helping them win games.

Overview of His Performance So Far

Kirk Cousins has been the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings since the 2018 season. In his two seasons with the team, he has led them to a record of 20-13-1 and has thrown for 7,291 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. He has also rushed for nine touchdowns.

Cousins’ best season came in 2019 when he threw for a career-high 4,298 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also had his lowest interception total with just eight. The Vikings went 10-6 that season and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team. They lost in the divisional round to the eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers.

Cousins struggled at times during the 2020 season as he threw for 3,993 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Vikings finished with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs.

Looking at Cousins’ numbers, it’s clear that he is a good quarterback who is capable of leading his team to success. However, he has yet to take them to the next level and win a playoff game. That will be his focus heading into 2021 as he looks to improve upon his already solid performance.

Strengths and Weaknesses

As the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins has had a mixed performance over the past few seasons. While he has shown some impressive moments and led the team to victory in key games, he has also struggled at times, particularly with turnovers.

Looking at his overall record as a starter for the Vikings, Cousins has led the team to a 23-17 record since taking over as the starter in 2018. In terms of statistics, he has thrown for over 9,000 yards and 60 touchdowns during that span. However, he has also thrown for 30 interceptions during that time.

When assessing Cousins’ performance as the Vikings’ quarterback, it is important to consider both his strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, Cousins is a experienced quarterback who has generally been accurate with his passes. He also has a strong arm and can make all of the throws necessary to be successful in the NFL.

On the downside, Cousins often struggles with decision-making and tends to force throws into tight windows. This can lead to turnovers, which have been an issue for him throughout his career. Additionally, while he possesses a strong arm, he sometimes struggles with ball placement on deep throws.

Cousins has shown both flashes of brilliance and moments of struggle during his time as the Vikings’ starting quarterback. If he can cut down on turnovers and improve his deep ball accuracy, he could take his game to another level and become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Comparisons to Other NFL Quarterbacks

When looking at how Cousins has performed as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, it’s important to compare him to other quarterbacks in the NFL. Here are some key comparisons:

-Cousins ranks 12th in the NFL in passing yards (3,602), behind guys like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers.
-He ranks 14th in completions (288), behind guys like Dak Prescott and Matt Ryan.
-He ranks 16th in touchdown passes (22), behind guys like Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson.

Cousins is a solid quarterback who is right around average in most statistical categories. He doesn’t light up the scoreboard like some of the elite quarterbacks in the league, but he also doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s a dependable player who gives the Vikings a chance to win every time he steps on the field.

What Does The Future Hold For Kirk Cousins?

The answer to this question largely depends on how well Kirk Cousins performs over the course of the next few seasons. If he can continue to play at a high level, then there’s no reason to believe that he won’t be the Vikings’ starting quarterback for years to come. However, if his performance begins to decline, then the team may look to replace him with someone else.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Kirk Cousins, but one thing is for sure: he’ll have a chance to prove himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league over the next few years.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

As the 2018 regular season comes to a close, it’s time to take a look back at Kirk Cousins’ first year as quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins had a very successful first season in Minnesota. He completed 70 percent of his passes for 4,298 yards and 30 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. Cousins also ran for another four touchdowns.

The Vikings went 11-3 in games started by Cousins, and he helped lead them to the NFC North division title. In the playoffs, however, Cousins struggled against the New Orleans Saints, throwing for just 201 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. The Vikings ultimately lost the game by a score of 24-14.

While there are certainly some areas of improvement for Cousins moving forward, he was overall a very productive quarterback for the Vikings in 2018. If he can build on his success from this past season and cut down on his turnovers in big games, Cousins has a chance to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.