It’s year one for the Minnesota Vikings sans Kirk Cousins under center. He had handled the most important position in the Twin Cities in the previous six seasons before departing in March. Rarely has a player ever been more controversial within the fanbase.
Vikings Could Have a Date With Destiny in January
Captain Kirk left and signed a four-year deal worth $180 million with the Atlanta Falcons. Through the first 11 weeks of the season, the Falcons are in the pole position in the NFC South, while the Vikings rank second in the NFC North.
That, of course, could lead to a rendezvous in January. Following Week 11, the Vikes are the five-seed in the playoff standings, with the Lions seemingly unbeatable at the top spot of the NFC North, and the 6-5 record gives the Falcons the four-seed, meaning the teams would meet if the season ended now.
Cousins, in his first season with his new club, has thrown for 2,807 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His numbers are pretty much usual Cousins numbers, and even the game scripts have been the same Vikings fans have gotten to know over the years.
Eight of the 11 games were one-score contests, and a recent 38-6 blowout loss against the Denver Broncos is another familiar problem. He also received some backlash for throwing the ball short of the sticks on a game-deciding fourth-down play, which is another familiar criticism.
Earlier in the season, Cousins looked like a shell of himself, as he was possibly still hampered by his torn Achilles tendon. Learning the new offense and building familiarity with his teammates surely played a role, too. Recently, however, Cousins had a few excellent performances.
Minnesota’s decision-makers want to replace Cousins in the long term with rookie J.J. McCarthy, but this year, it’s Sam Darnold’s ship. In his first (and possibly last) campaign with the Vikings, the former third-overall pick has tossed 19 touchdowns and ten picks in ten games, resulting in a surprisingly good year in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
The important difference between the two passers is that one is a bargain, and the other one is paid like a franchise quarterback. Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal, while Cousins agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract in Atlanta.
The Vikings are currently eating a huge dead cap hit of $28.5 million, putting Minnesota’s successful 8-2 journey even more into perspective. This year’s group wasn’t supposed to be a contending one, but through Week 11, they sure are.
Minnesota versus Atlanta is on the menu in Week 14 for what will be Cousins’ return to U.S. Bank Stadium. Until that point, the Falcons have their bye week and a meeting with the scorching-hot Los Angeles Chargers, so a .500 record is in play for the QB’s visit to his old home.
The Falcons have lost two consecutive games, and their next two opponents have a combined record of 15-5. So far, the Falcons have been a disappointment, but as long as they are on pace to host a postseason game in January, they are still in a good spot. The Buccaneers are 1.5 wins behind the Falcons with a 4-6 record.
Vikings fans are guaranteed one meeting with their former QB1; a second one could happen in January.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt