Fantasy Player Profile Kirk Cousins
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- QB #8
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KirkCousins
- AActive
- Manager: FA
vs. TB: #23 vs opposing QB - 15.98 FPA
| Passing | Rushing | Fum | Fantasy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk | Opp | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | TD | Lost | Pts |
| 1 | TB, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 2 | @PHI, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 3 | LAC, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 4 | @CAR, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 5 | KC, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 6 | @CHI, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 7 | SF, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 8 | @GB, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 9 | @ATL, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 10 | NO, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 11 | @DEN, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 12 | CHI, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 13 | Bye | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 14 | @LV, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 15 | @CIN, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 16 | DET, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 17 | GB, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 18 | @DET, | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
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- 2
- 3
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- 5
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- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
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- 13 Bye
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
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Not committed beyond 2023
The Vikings aren't committed to Cousins beyond 2023, as his recent restructure pushes more of the cap hit to future years without changing the length of the contract, Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: The team used void years rather than an extension, but another contract could still happen next offseason or even later this year. While the Vikings hope to find a young quarterback to develop behind their 34-year-old, long-time starter, there's no guarantee of finding the right player this spring or next, especially without the luxury of an early first-round pick. Minnesota's offense largely looks the same as last year through the first few days of the 2023 league year, with the exception of…read more
Published: Fri, Mar 17 at 12:55pm by Rotowire.com
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Plays well in playoff loss
Cousins completed 31 of 39 pass attempts for 273 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-24 wild-card round loss to the Giants. He also punched in a one-yard touchdown on his lone rushing attempt.
Analysis: Cousins was dialed in throughout the contest, providing strong numbers for fantasy lineups despite taking the loss. The veteran signal-caller's day soured on the Vikings' final drive when he targeted a covered receiver for three yards on 4th-and-8, effectively turning the ball over and ending Minnesota's Super Bowl hopes. The 34-year-old finished the regular season with 4,547 passing yards and a 29:14 TD:INT ratio, numbers that should keep him ranked in the upper third of fantasy quarterbacks…read more
Published: Sun, Jan 15 at 7:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes abbreviated appearance
Cousins completed 17 of 20 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-13 win over the Bears.
Analysis: Cousins' output came despite him only playing the first half of Sunday's game. With Minnesota preparing for the playoffs, backup Nick Mullens filled in while Cousins was rested after halftime. In the wake of a poor performance in Green Bay last weekend, Cousins' improvement Sunday -- when he set a season high for completion percentage -- should help his confidence heading into the postseason.
Published: Sun, Jan 8 at 1:43pm by Rotowire.com
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May not play full game
Head coach Kevin O'Connell intimated Friday that Cousins and other key starters on offense and defense may not play the entirety of the Vikings' Week 18 game in Chicago, Joe Nelson of SI.com reports. "We've got a pretty clear cut plan with how we want to go about the whole game, but we're going to go in with the expectation of our guys going and try to get off to a good start and play good football," O'Connell said.
Analysis: Minnesota is assured no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs regardless of how this weekend's games transpire, but since the Vikings will need a win over the Bears plus a Cardinals win over the heavily-favored 49ers to climb to the No. 2 seed, O'Connell may not have much incentive to expose key players to an injury heading into the wild-card round. While Cousins and all of the Vikings' other starting skill-position players look poised to play at least one series, the uncertainty of…read more
Published: Fri, Jan 6 at 3:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Three picks in Sunday's loss
Cousins completed 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers. He added 37 rushing yards on three carries.
Analysis: It was a rough day for the entire Vikings offense at Lambeau Field, as Cousins lost two offensive linemen to injury during the game and had little time or space in which to operate. He was replaced by Nick Mullens late in the rout, as the Vikings prioritized keeping Cousins healthy ahead of the playoffs, and with nothing but seeding to play for in Week 18 against the Bears, it wouldn't be surprising if Mullens got the start.
Published: Sun, Jan 1 at 8:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Another big effort in win
Cousins completed 34 of 48 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Giants.
Analysis: While the veteran QB didn't quite manage to throw for 400 yards, or even 300, for a third straight game, Cousins still tossed three more touchdowns, giving him a 13:3 TD:INT over the last five contests. He's reached 4,000 passing yards for the third straight season and the seventh time in the last eight years, and Cousins will take massive momentum into a Week 17 clash with the Packers.
Published: Sat, Dec 24 at 4:39pm by Rotowire.com
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Four TDs in 33-point comeback
Cousins completed 34 of 54 passes for 460 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday's 39-36 overtime win over the Colts.
Analysis: Everything that could go wrong did for the Vikings as they fell behind 33-0 in the first half, including a Cousins pick-six. In the third quarter, Cousins connected with K.J. Osborn for a 63-yard gain and a two-yard touchdown to get Minnesota on the board with the first of three consecutive Vikings touchdown drives. Cousins capped the third of those drives with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson before derailing the following possession with his second interception. The veteran…read more
Published: Sat, Dec 17 at 2:34pm by Rotowire.com
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Racks up numbers in loss
Cousins completed 31 of 41 passes for 425 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Analysis: While his numbers are largely the result of the Vikings trailing from the second quarter on, fantasy managers will naturally take the season-high yardage total and seventh multi-touchdown effort of the campaign. Cousins most frequently connected with Justin Jefferson as customary, with the star receiver bringing in 11 of his completions for 223 yards. Despite the disappointing loss, the Vikings are 10-3 and still in the driver's seat for the NFC North crown, and Cousins will aim to get them…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 11 at 2:01pm by Rotowire.com
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Manages Vikings to victory
Cousins completed 21 of 35 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Cousins struggled significantly against the tough Jets' defense and was held to only 4.9 yards per attempt. However, he limited mistakes -- he didn't turn the ball over -- and threw a key touchdown to Justin Jefferson from 10 yards away midway through the fourth quarter. Though the Vikings have had plenty of team-level success on the campaign, Cousins has now failed to throw for multiple scores in three of his last four games.
Published: Sun, Dec 4 at 6:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Productive in Week 12 win
Cousins completed 30 of 37 passes for 299 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots on Thursday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on one rush attempt.
Analysis: Cousins rose to the challenge against a tough Patriots defense, following his forgettable 105-yard performance against the Cowboys four days prior. The veteran signal-caller opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson to cap off the first possession of the game before subsequently hitting T.J. Hockenson and Adam Thielen for additional touchdown tosses in the second and fourth quarter, respectively. The latter closed out a clutch six-play, 71-yard march that ended up…read more
Published: Thu, Nov 24 at 8:49pm by Rotowire.com
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Pulled in blowout loss
Cousins completed just 12 of 23 pass attempts for 105 yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 40-3 blowout loss to Dallas.
Analysis: Cousins was harassed by the Cowboys pass rush from start to finish, resulting in seven sacks for a collective loss of 49 yards Sunday. The offensive line stood no chance against Micah Parsons and company, and the team lost starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion) to add insult to literal injury. Cousins was pulled for the fourth quarter of this lopsided loss, and Nick Mullens finished the contest with the rest of the backups. Things won't get any easier for the veteran Cousins with…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 20 at 7:41pm by Rotowire.com
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Tops 350 yards in OT win
Cousins completed 30 of 50 passing attempts for 357 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while rushing six times for 12 yards in Sunday's 33-30 overtime win over the Bills.
Analysis: Cousins opened the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, but Minnesota proceeded to fall into a 27-10 hole before Cousins led them back. He was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal rushing attempt inside the one-yard line in the final minute, but Buffalo fumbled the snap on the next play and Minnesota's defense recovered for the go-ahead touchdown. Cousins then engineered the go-ahead drive in overtime while flashing brilliant chemistry with Jefferson, who accounted for 193 of…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 13 at 2:50pm by Rotowire.com
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Strong showing in close win
Cousins completed 22 of 40 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday. He also netted minus-2 yards on two rush attempts.
Analysis: Cousins put together his fourth 250-yard-plus tally in the last six games while helping snap his old squad's three-game winning streak in his first game back in the nation's capital. The veteran signal-caller did get the wind knocked out of him following a 47-yard completion to Justin Jefferson early in the fourth quarter, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but he ultimately missed just one play. Cousins now has a 5:0 TD:INT in his last three games going into an unenviable Week…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 6 at 2:35pm by Rotowire.com
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Three total TDs in win
Cousins completed 24 of 36 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 22 yards and another score and lost a fumble.
Analysis: Cousins had one of his trademark efficient efforts, averaging a modest 6.4 yards per attempt against a Cardinals defense that had done a good job of limiting the production of top receivers this season. The veteran was under a fair amount of duress and took three sacks overall, one of which resulted in a fumble at his own 24-yard line that helped lead to an Arizona field goal. However, he made up for it with touchdown passes of one and five yards to Johnny Mundt and K.J. Osborn, respectively,…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 30 at 2:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Two touchdowns in win
Cousins completed 20 of 30 passes for 175 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 24-16 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. He also netted minus-5 yards on two carries.
Analysis: Cousins stayed away from turnovers, but he also averaged just 5.8 yards per attempt and took three sacks. A significant chunk of his yardage tally came on a 47-yard pass to Justin Jefferson late in the third quarter that set up a two-yard touchdown toss to Adam Thielen two plays later. Cousins' other scoring connection came with Irv Smith from one yard out in the second quarter, and he's now posted a trio of two-touchdown efforts in his first six games in new head coach Kevin O'Connell's…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 16 at 2:53pm by Rotowire.com
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Totals two touchdowns
Cousins completed 32 of 41 passes for 296 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 29-22 win over the Bears. He also rushed four times for four yards and another score.
Analysis: Cousins was especially efficient targeting top wideout Justin Jefferson, who finished with another monster performance of 12 catches for 154 yards. While Jefferson's production accounted for over half of Cousins' passing yards, the signal-caller also notched a pair of one-yard touchdowns. First, he gave Jalen Reagor a push pass to score in the second quarter, before sneaking in himself to take the lead in the fourth. In doing so, Cousins helped the Vikings secure first place in the NFC North,…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 9 at 1:25pm by Rotowire.com
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Mediocre in victory
Cousins completed 25 of 38 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Saints.
Analysis: Cousins moved the Vikings' offense effectively throughout the game but regularly stalled in the red zone. He managed his lone touchdown of the game midway through the first quarter on a 15-yard connection with Alexander Mattison. Cousins also regularly found Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen for solid gains, though his production was ultimately capped by his inability to finish drives. More positively, Cousins has managed at least 260 passing yards in three of four games to begin the season.
Published: Sun, Oct 2 at 11:24am by Rotowire.com
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Two touchdowns in victory
Cousins completed 24 of 41 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Lions.
Analysis: Cousins was forced to focus on his peripheral options as the Lions defensive game plan was to keep the ball out of Justin Jefferson's hands. He took advantage, finding Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn for touchdowns of one and 28 yards, respectively. Cousins averaged only 6.3 yards per attempt, so he wasn't particularly efficient. However, he bounced back from a poor Week 2 performance and has managed at least 260 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in two of three games on the campaign.
Published: Sun, Sep 25 at 5:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Takes step back in Week 2
Cousins completed 27 of 46 attempts for 221 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions and rushed twice for 20 yards in the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles on Monday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Minnesota.
Analysis: In contrast to a stellar first full game in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense in Week 1, Cousins slogged through a messy performance that saw him short-circuit drives at the goal line, the Eagles' 13-yard line and the end zone, the final pick occurring with 7:07 remaining and snuffing out any possibility of a comeback for Minnesota. Cousins threw his one touchdown to Irv Smith in the second quarter, and he continued to focus heavily on Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen to the tune of 10…read more
Published: Mon, Sep 19 at 8:42pm by Rotowire.com
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Throws two touchdowns
Cousins completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.
Analysis: Cousins leaned heavily on star wideout Justin Jefferson, finding him nine times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. It was an efficient outing from the signal-caller, and he played a clean game in new coach Kevin O'Connell's debut. Cousins will strive to keep his squad's early-season momentum going in Week 2 versus the Eagles.
Published: Sun, Sep 11 at 5:01pm by Rotowire.com
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Next start will be in Week 1
Cousins is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos.
Analysis: Cousins is one of 33 players the team announced as not slated to play in the contest, a group that included all of Minnesota's top skill players. Cousins' next start will occur in Week 1 against the Packers, with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn set to serve as his top options at wideout out of the gate this season.
Published: Sat, Aug 27 at 4:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Doesn't expect to play in preseason finale
Cousins doesn't expect to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Supporting the notion that Cousins will be held out of the contest is that coach Kevin O'Connell doesn't expect many, if any, of Minnesota's starters to play versus Denver. In that context, Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond and Nick Mullens would be the team's QB options Saturday.
Published: Thu, Aug 25 at 4:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Not playing Saturday
Cousins and most other starters are not expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the 49ers.
Analysis: The list also includes RB Dalvin Cook and each of the team's top three wide receivers (Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn). With Cousins out, Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond are Minnesota's two options under center.
Published: Sat, Aug 20 at 2:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Cleared to practice
Cousins (illness) was cleared to return to practice Wednesday after having missed the Vikings' preseason opener against the Raiders due to a positive COVID-19 test, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Cousins spent five days away from the team after testing positive for the virus, but he's now cleared the necessary protocols. His symptoms were reportedly minimal during his time away from the team. The veteran signal-caller is expected to immediately resume handling first-team reps for the Vikings, and he's back on the field in time to get some scrimmage work against the 49ers in the two teams' joint practices this week. Whether Cousins will take the field during the Vikings' second preseason…read more
Published: Wed, Aug 17 at 8:35am by Rotowire.com
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Won't play Sunday
Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Friday that Cousins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders.
Analysis: With Cousins unavailable for the contest, Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond will handle the team's QB duties versus Las Vegas on Sunday, while O'Connell noted that "no matter who starts, they'll both play a ton." Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Cousins, who is reportedly dealing with minimal symptoms, could return to the field as early as Tuesday.
Published: Fri, Aug 12 at 10:39am by Rotowire.com
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Sent home Thursday
Cousins wasn't feeling well Thursday and was sent home by the Vikings, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: At this stage, it's not clear how long the QB will be away from the team, with Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press relaying via coach Kevin O'Connell that it remains to be seen if Cousins will be available to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders.
Published: Thu, Aug 11 at 12:30pm by Rotowire.com
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Agrees to one-year extension
Cousins signed a one-year, $35 million contract extension with the Vikings on Sunday.
Analysis: Cousins drew some trade interest during the offseason as several other veteran quarterbacks were dealt recently, but he'll remain under contract with Minnesota through the 2023 season on a deal that includes a no-trade clause. His $35 million salary is fully guaranteed and will free up nearly $14 million in cap room for the Vikings heading into free agency. The 33-year-old completed 372 of 561 passes for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing 29 times for 115 yards and…read more
Published: Sun, Mar 13 at 4:44pm by Rotowire.com
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Gets vote of confidence from new HC
New Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that he anticipates that Cousins will be a part of the team's plans in 2022, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Cousins is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings and has been linked to trade rumors early in the offseason, in part because of the $45 million cap hit that the deal carries in 2022. However, he's been a consistent player under center across his first four seasons in Minnesota, as he's passed for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of those years while throwing no more than 13 interceptions in any season. O'Connell previously worked with Cousins when he was the…read more
Published: Thu, Feb 17 at 2:36pm by Rotowire.com
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Three touchdowns in return
Cousins completed 14 of 22 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Bears.
Analysis: Cousins returned from a one-game absence while on the reserve/COVID-19 list to end the season on a strong note. He led an impressive comeback, tossing three lengthy touchdowns that went for 44, 45 and 21 yards to three different receivers. Those explosive plays helped Cousins overcome a lack of volume, as his 22 pass attempts were his fewest on the campaign. Though Cousins is highly scrutinized, he's now reached 30 passing touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards in three of his last four seasons.
Published: Sun, Jan 9 at 4:59pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns from COVID-19 list
Minnesota activated Cousins (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, shortly after head coach Mike Zimmer said the quarterback will start Sunday's game against Chicago, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: Cousins will return to the lineup and boost the Week 18 fantasy prospects of his teammates, namely Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Tyler Conklin. Per Zimmer, the Vikings won't make any adjustments to playing time for their key players, despite the team having been eliminated from postseason contention.
Published: Wed, Jan 5 at 9:27am by Rotowire.com
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In line to return from COVID list
Cousins (illness) is on track to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Per head coach Mike Zimmer, Cousins is back at the Vikings' facility Wednesday, which sets the stage for the quarterback to officially come off the list. With that in mind, Zimmer confirmed that Cousins is slated to start against Chicago this weekend.
Published: Wed, Jan 5 at 8:43am by Rotowire.com
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Officially moves to COVID list
Minnesota placed Cousins on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Analysis: As Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier Friday, Cousins tested positive for the virus and thus will be subject to an automatic five-day isolation period before he's eligible to rejoin the Vikings if asymptomatic. Cousins' move to the reserve/COVID-19 list officially rules him out for Sunday night's matchup with the Packers and paves the way for Sean Mannion -- who was activated from the list Friday -- to pick up his first start as a member of the Vikings. Kellen Mond and Kyle Sloter are on…read more
Published: Fri, Dec 31 at 8:12am by Rotowire.com
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Tests positive for COVID-19
Cousins tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will be unavailable for Sunday's game against the Packers because he's unvaccinated, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Even with the updated league protocols that include a reduced quarantine period for positive test results, Cousins -- who is in line to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list -- will be out for Sunday's divisional matchup. It's a tough blow for the Vikings, who are one game behind the 49ers and Eagles for the final two playoff spots in the NFC. Kellen Mond and Kyle Sloter currently are the quarterbacks available on Minnesota's roster for this weekend, unless Sean Mannion (illness) is able to return…read more
Published: Fri, Dec 31 at 7:59am by Rotowire.com
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Throws for 315 yards against Rams
Cousins completed 27 of 38 passes for 315 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: The Vikings were playing from behind for nearly the entire game, which allowed Cousins to rack up plenty of volume. He connected on four completions that went for over 20 yards with Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Adam Thielen (ankle). The result was only his third game with 300 or more passing yards in his last nine starts. Despite the gaudy yardage total, Cousins' fantasy production was held back by the fact that he managed to throw for only one touchdown, which came midway through the…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 26 at 6:35pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs full practice Thursday
Cousins (ribs) was a full practice participant Thursday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Analysis: One day removed from logging a rare limited session Wednesday due to a rib issue, Cousins handled every practice rep thrown his way. The Vikings took a hit in the skill positions Thursday when Dalvin Cook (illness) tested positive for COVID-19, while Adam Thielen (ankle) managed a second consecutive LP on the team's injury report. There's a distinct possibility Cousins could be without both Cook -- who won't play Sunday -- and Thielen this weekend against the Rams, leaving Justin Jefferson,…read more
Published: Thu, Dec 23 at 3:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Tending to rib issue
Cousins was a limited participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a rib injury.
Analysis: Cousins rarely misses games, let alone practice reps, so his inclusion on the Vikings' first Week 16 injury report is noteworthy. Still, he managed to mix into some drills and has two more sessions this week to get back to his customary full allotment of reps.
Published: Wed, Dec 22 at 2:51pm by Rotowire.com
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Career-low passing yardage in win
Cousins completed 12 of 24 passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 17-9 win over the Bears on Monday night. He also rushed twice for 10 yards and committed a fumble that was recovered by the Vikings.
Analysis: The ugly stat line sums up how choppy the night was for the Vikings offense, but Cousins prevented a total fantasy washout for managers rolling with him in their postseason matchups by firing touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the first and third quarters, respectively. In fairness to the veteran quarterback, he also endured constant pressure, taking four sacks and getting hit seven times overall. The yardage total was the lowest career figure for Cousins in a…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 20 at 8:35pm by Rotowire.com
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Works around inefficiency, INTs
Cousins completed 14 of 31 passes for 216 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Vikings' 36-28 win over the Steelers on Thursday night. He also rushed twice for 14 yards.
Analysis: Cousins went into the contest with a sparkling 25:3 TD:INT on the season, along with an impressive 68.4 percent completion rate. Those numbers went by the wayside Thursday in what was a tough matchup against a short-handed but gritty Steelers defense, one that never sacked Cousins but recorded six hits on him and also saddled him with his first multi-interception performance since Week 6 of last season. Cousins did make up for the pair of turnovers with touchdown passes of 14 and 62 yards to…read more
Published: Thu, Dec 9 at 9:39pm by Rotowire.com
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Carves up Detroit secondary
Cousins completed 30 of 40 pass attempts for 340 yards and two touchdowns while losing a fumble in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions.
Analysis: Cousins led what appeared to be a game-winning drive near the end of the fourth quarter, but he was forced to helplessly watch Minnesota's defense cough up the lead as time expired. Despite the embarrassing loss to the no-longer win-less Lions, Cousins was able to continue his recent trend of premier play from the pocket. The 32-year-old is quietly stringing together one of his finest seasons as a pro, completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,353 yards and a sparkling 25:3 TD:INT ratio through…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 5 at 2:33pm by Rotowire.com
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Falls short in San Francisco
Cousins completed 20 of 32 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in Sunday's 34-28 loss to the 49ers.
Analysis: He hit Adam Thielen for a pair of first-half scores, but the Vikings' passing game fell quiet in the second half and Cousins couldn't put together a game-tying drive during a scoreless fourth quarter. The 33-year-old QB has tossed multiple touchdowns in four straight games, a streak he'll look to extend -- albeit with better results -- in Week 13 against the Lions.
Published: Sun, Nov 28 at 7:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Stays hot in home victory
Cousins completed 24 of 35 pass attempts for 341 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-31 win over Green Bay.
Analysis: Cousins went into a matchup that can be challenging for opposing quarterbacks and excelled while leading his team to a surprising victory. The 33-year-old has been on a roll of late, completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,379 yards with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions over his last five contests. Cousins will look to keep his momentum rolling next Sunday against a San Francisco squad that is very thin in the secondary.
Published: Sun, Nov 21 at 3:27pm by Rotowire.com
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Strong effort in road win
Cousins completed 25 of 37 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers.
Analysis: Both scores were caught by Tyler Conklin, but Cousins' favorite target on the day was Justin Jefferson, who hauled in nearly 50 percent of the quarterback's passing yards. It's the sixth time in nine games Cousins has tossed multiple TDs, and he'll take a sharp 18:2 TD:INT into a Week 11 clash with the Packers.
Published: Sun, Nov 14 at 6:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Three total TDs in loss
Cousins completed 17 of 28 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-31 overtime loss to the Ravens on Sunday. He also scored a one-yard touchdown on his only rush attempt.
Analysis: Cousins didn't take a single sack and stayed away from turnovers altogether, but he still turned in an underwhelming effort from a yardage perspective against what had been an inconsistent secondary. Nevertheless, he delivered for fantasy managers with his three total touchdowns, with the two through the air going to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen from 50 and one yard out in the first and fourth quarters, respectively. Cousins has been under 200 passing yards in two straight games and will…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 7 at 2:04pm by Rotowire.com
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Harassed by DAL defense
Cousins completed 23 of 35 pass attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Cowboys.
Analysis: Cousins only took one sack Sunday, but he seemed to be under constant pressure from the Cowboys' pass rush throughout the contest. This resulted in shorter throws from the veteran arm (5.3 yards per attempt), and some miscommunications with his receivers, as evidenced by his visible frustration at the end of multiple stalled drives. Cousins had been performing at a high level prior to Sunday's rough showing, and he will get a golden opportunity to get things back on track in a tasty matchup…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 31 at 10:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Strong showing in OT win
Cousins completed 33 of 48 pass attempts for 373 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-28 overtime win over the Panthers.
Analysis: Cousins was brilliant against a Panthers defense that is no pushover. Having a healthy Dalvin Cook back certainly helped ease the opponent's defensive focus away from the passing attack, which could bode well for the veteran arm if his star back can stay healthy following the team's upcoming bye. Cousins will head into said bye with a strong start to the season overall, producing three 300-plus yard and four multi-touchdown games, all while completing over two-thirds of his passes through six…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 17 at 4:32pm by Rotowire.com
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Solid, yet unspectacular in win
Cousins completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for 275 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 19-17 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Cousins turned in a fantasy performance that can't be complained about, nor celebrated, as it was spectacularly average across the board. It was a step in the right direction for the veteran arm, who turned in a dud against the Browns last game. Cousins will enter next week's tilt against the Cowboys with a solid 10:2 TD:INT ratio through five games.
Published: Sun, Oct 10 at 3:49pm by Rotowire.com
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Underwhelming effort in loss
Cousins completed 20 of 38 passes for 203 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Vikings' 14-7 loss to the Browns on Sunday. He also rushed twice for no gain.
Analysis: Cousins appeared primed for another big day akin to his Week 3 performance against the Seahawks when he led the Vikings on a 14-play, 75-yard opening drive that he capped off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. However, that would essentially prove to be the high point of the veteran quarterback's day, as he was subsequently sacked twice, picked off once and victimized by inaccuracy and tight coverage on the part of the Browns secondary. Cousins' lackluster showing naturally…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 3 at 1:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Carves up Seattle in Week 3 win
Cousins completed 30 of 38 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 30-17 win over the Seahawks.
Analysis: He also gained two yards on his lone carry. Cousins has no trouble picking apart the Seahawks' secondary and for the second straight game found three different targets in the end zone, this time connecting with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Tyler Conklin for scores. Cousins will take an eye-popping 73.9 percent completion rate and 8:0 TD:INT into a Week 4 home tilt against the Browns.
Published: Sun, Sep 26 at 9:48pm by Rotowire.com
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Tosses three TDs in loss
Cousins completed 22 of 32 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-33 loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: He also added 35 rushing yards on two carries. Cousins was efficient all afternoon, hitting K.J. Osborn, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson for scores in the first half, and he had the Vikings in position to kick a game-winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter, but Greg Joseph missed from 37 yards out. Cousins has looked very good through two games but has two narrow road losses to show for it, a streak he'll look to snap in Week 3 at home against the Seahawks.
Published: Sun, Sep 19 at 5:53pm by Rotowire.com
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Tops 350-yard mark in OT loss
Cousins completed 36 of 49 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: Cousins connected with reliable target Adam Thielen for touchdowns of five and 24 yards, then helped erase a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter by setting up a Dalvin Cook rushing touchdown and Greg Joseph's game-tying 53-yard field goal as time expired. The veteran quarterback saw plenty of volume in a game that lasted nearly 70 minutes before Dalvin Cook's fumble set up the Bengals' game-winning field goal. Cousins will likely take to the air aplenty again in Week 2 against Arizona.
Published: Sun, Sep 12 at 2:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Plays three drives
Cousins completed five of seven passes for 57 yards in Friday night's 28-25 preseason loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Cousins once again played three drives, leading the Vikings to a field goal out of the gate before the Vikings were forced to punt twice. The signal-caller was without starting wideouts Justin Jefferson (shoulder) and Adam Thielen (thigh), and instead showed a good rapport with tight end Irv Smith, who caught both his targets for 39 yards. With the preseason now in the books, Cousins will look forward to having all his weapons available ahead of Week 1's matchup against the Bengals.
Published: Fri, Aug 27 at 8:42pm by Rotowire.com
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Could play Friday night
Coach Mike Zimmer said his plan for Friday's preseason game against the Chiefs will be similar to last week, suggesting Cousins and other starters could get a quarter or so of playing time, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official website reports.
Analysis: Cousins completed five of seven passes for 23 yards in last week's preseason loss to the Colts, failing to produce any points on three drives while playing into the second quarter. He may be throwing to a crew of backups if he suits up Friday night, as Justin Jefferson (shoulder) and Adam Thielen (thigh) are still banged up, while Dalvin Cook could be rested even if most other starters play.
Published: Fri, Aug 27 at 12:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Directs three drives Saturday
Cousins completed five of seven passes for 23 yards and had a nine-yard carry during Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.
Analysis: Cousins was without Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson (shoulder), and coach Mike Zimmer revealed after the game that Adam Thielen has a bruised thigh, the result of a knee to the region early in the contest, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Considering the bad injury luck for the Vikings' skill positions this month, it wouldn't surprise if the team takes every precaution to reach Week 1 with the aforementioned quartet all healthy and available. As a result, Cousins' exhibition…read more
Published: Sat, Aug 21 at 8:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Expected to play Saturday
Cousins and many starters will play in Saturday's preseason game against Indianapolis, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Head coach Mike Zimmer said he didn't have a set number of plays for Cousins or the starting offense, so he could see more than a series or two of action.
Published: Thu, Aug 19 at 8:57pm by Rotowire.com
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Won't play Saturday
Cousins won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Vikings will hold out 30 players, including Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook and WRs Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Coach Mike Zimmer likely will give his starters some run in the second and/or third preseason game, but it may be just a few drives.
Published: Sat, Aug 14 at 12:20pm by Rotowire.com
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Returning to practice
Cousins has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list for Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: As expected, Cousins will rejoin his teammates after missing five days. He was a close contact of rookie QB Kellen Mond, who tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend and remains out of action Thursday. The third-round pick may eventually be a threat to Cousins, but the 33-year-old is safe for the time being and even has guaranteed base salaries for the final two years (2021-22) of his contract.
Published: Thu, Aug 5 at 7:07am by Rotowire.com
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Likely to return Thursday
Head coach Mike Zimmer said he expects Cousins (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) to return to the Vikings' facilities Thursday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Cousins was merely a close contact of Kellen Mond -- who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday -- and didn't catch the virus himself. Once the Vikings activate Cousins from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the quarterback room will inch closer to full health, with only Mond out of commission for another five days, at least.
Published: Wed, Aug 4 at 10:29am by Rotowire.com
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Going through COVID-19 protocols
Cousins (undisclosed) is unavailable while going through the COVID-19 protocols, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Kellen Mond tested positive for the virus, so it appears Cousins is sidelined as a close contact until he clears the protocols. Nate Stanley (undisclosed) is also caught up in the protocols, leaving Jake Browning to take all the reps at quarterback for the immediate future.
Published: Sat, Jul 31 at 3:16pm by Rotowire.com
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Facing crucial year for future
This could be a make-or-break season for Cousins with the Vikings, according to Arif Hasan of The Athletic.
Analysis: Cousins has thrown 91 touchdowns against 29 interceptions in his three years with the Vikings, but he's reached the playoffs just once and has a .543 winning percentage in the regular season. While a poor defense was the bigger problem in Minnesota last year, the team's selection of QB Kellen Mond at 66th overall in the 2021 draft suggests Cousins could be in trouble if he doesn't reach the playoffs this season. His two-year contract includes fully guaranteed base salaries in 2021 ($21 million)…read more
Published: Tue, Jul 6 at 8:57am by Rotowire.com
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Posts four-TD performance
Cousins completed 28 of 40 pass attempts for 405 yards and three touchdowns, adding a one-yard TD run during Sunday's 37-35 win against the Lions.
Analysis: Cousins' Vikings have missed the postseason for the second time in three years; however, the 32-year-old went on a statistical tear during the latter half of 2020. The $84 million man composed a 12:10 TD:INT over his first seven outings of the year, while the team stumbled to a 2-5 start. Weeks 9 through 17, Cousins registered an uber-efficient 23:3 TD:INT, posting six three-TD passing performances in the span of nine weeks while leading his team to a 5-4 mark. On Sunday he found three…read more
Published: Sun, Jan 3 at 2:15pm by Rotowire.com
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Strong numbers in loss
Cousins completed 27 of 41 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 52-33 loss to the Saints on Friday. He also committed a fumble that was recovered by the offense.
Analysis: Facing one of the best turnover-forcing defensive units in the league, Cousins was able to refrain from giving the ball away, a relatively rare feat for the veteran signal-caller. He actually put together an impressive performance that would have been good enough to topple many teams, had he gotten a better performance from the Vikings defense. The 32-year-old has now tossed multiple touchdowns in seven of the last eight games, an excellent stretch that's made him one of the best and most…read more
Published: Fri, Dec 25 at 5:19pm by Rotowire.com
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Pair of TD passes in loss
Cousins completed 24 of 35 passes for 271 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 33-27 loss to the Bears on Sunday. He also committed a fumble, but it was recovered by the offense.
Analysis: Cousins took another three sacks and was hit a whopping 11 times overall, but he hung tough and gave the Vikings a chance to win until failing to connect on a Hail Mary from the Bears' 33-yard line with seven seconds remaining. The veteran signal-caller hit Adam Thielen and Tyler Conklin for his two scoring passes, but he enjoyed his greatest degree of chemistry with Justin Jefferson, finding the rookie on eight occasions for 104 yards. Cousins has now thrown for at least Sunday's yardage total…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 20 at 2:05pm by Rotowire.com
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Under siege in loss
Cousins completed 24 of 37 passes for 225 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the Vikings' 26-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also gained 41 yards on five rushes, threw a two-point conversion pass and committed two fumbles, losing one.
Analysis: Cousins had a busy afternoon with the game progressively getting away from the Vikings, but even with a relatively elevated 37 attempts, he had a difficult time consistently connecting with top targets Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Part of the reason was a relentless Buccaneers pass rush, which dropped Cousins on six occasions and hit him 12 times overall. The veteran signal-caller connected with tight end Irv Smith for his one scoring toss from 14 yards out late in the third quarter, but…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 13 at 2:04pm by Rotowire.com
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Three TDs after slow start
Cousins completed 28 of 43 passes for 305 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over the Jaguars. He added 12 yards on three carries and lost a fumble.
Analysis: Cousins avoided a first-half shutout with a three-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen 2:50 before halftime. He threw a pick-six on the first play of the second half but rebounded on the ensuing drive, which Cousins capped with a 12-yard score to C.J. Ham. Cousins' Jekyll-and-Hyde performance continued on the next two drives, which ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson followed by his fumble on a bad exchange with running back Dalvin Cook on Jacksonville's one-yard line. While the…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 6 at 2:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Tosses trio of scores sans Thielen
Cousins completed 34 of 45 passes for 307 yards with three touchdowns, a two-point conversion pass and no interceptions in the Vikings' 28-27 win over the Panthers on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 19 yards and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
Analysis: Playing without top target Adam Thielen (reserve/COVID-19), Cousins nevertheless managed to put together an excellent fantasy performance and capped off what proved to be a game-winning drive with a clutch 10-yard touchdown pass to Chad Beebe in the closing minute. Cousins also connected with Justin Jefferson for scoring tosses of 12 and 10 yards in the first and fourth quarter, respectively, leading to his fourth consecutive contest with multiple touchdown throws. The veteran signal-caller has…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 29 at 2:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Big numbers in loss
Cousins completed 22 of 30 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Cowboys.
Analysis: As expected, the Minnesota offense erupted against a Dallas defense that has been among the most generous units in the league this season. Unfortunately, the Vikings defense proved to be even worse. Cousins has been locked in since the team's bye, posting a 9:1 TD:INT over the last four games with a 9.9 YPA, but he could be facing a tougher challenge in Week 12 against a Panthers defense that just shut out the Lions.
Published: Sun, Nov 22 at 6:41pm by Rotowire.com
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Finally wins on Monday night
Cousins completed 25 of 36 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Monday night's 19-13 win over the Bears.
Analysis: Cousins played well while finally winning his first Monday night start in 10 career tries. The veteran began by tossing a 17-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen, and although the wideout dropped a pass that was then intercepted shortly afterward, Cousins went back to him for the game-winning, six-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter. In doing so, Cousins brought his season tally to 17 touchdowns -- nine of which have gone to Thielen -- and is now gifted with a Week 11 matchup against a Cowboys…read more
Published: Mon, Nov 16 at 8:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes most of 20 attempts
Cousins completed 13 of 20 pass attempts for 220 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 9 against the Lions.
Analysis: Cousins was limited by game script yet again and has combined to throw only 34 passes in the team's past two games. Even so, he managed his third three-touchdown performance of the season while also racking up 11 yards per attempt. The entire Vikings' offense has benefitted from the return of Dalvin Cook, who has kept the Vikings offense moving and played a significant role on drives that were capped by Cousins' passing scores. Cousins will likely be stuck in another slow-paced matchup in Week…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 8 at 5:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Quiet performance in win
Cousins completed 11 of 14 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-22 win over the Packers.
Analysis: Dalvin Cook did all the work for the Vikings, scoring three rushing TDs before taking a screen pass from Cousins 50 yards for the winning touchdown late in the third quarter. Still, the veteran QB didn't commit any turnovers, just the second time in seven starts this season he's avoided coughing up the ball. Cousins could be a little more involved in Week 9 against a Lions defense that just gave up three passing TDs to Philip Rivers.
Published: Sun, Nov 1 at 2:10pm by Rotowire.com
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Three TDs, but turnovers galore
Cousins went 24-for-36 passing with 343 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions during Sunday's 40-23 loss to the Falcons.
Analysis: The 32-year-old signal-caller got off to a horrific start Sunday, committing three first-half interceptions for the first time in his NFL career. Cousins has logged four multi-TD outings thus far in the 2020 campaign, though he's already committed 11 giveaways. Last season he threw six interceptions across 15 regular-season appearances, but in 2020 he already has 10 through the first six weeks. The 1-5 Vikings get a chance to lick their wounds over the team's bye week, but a Nov. 1 matchup…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 18 at 4:19pm by Rotowire.com
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Two TDS, two turnovers in loss
Cousins completed 27 of 39 pass attempts for 249 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and a lost fumble in Sunday's 27-26 loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: Cousins did his best to keep his team in position for the win, but he eventually fell short to due to a Seattle comeback led by Russell Wilson. The 32-year-old continues to be a fantasy disappointment with 1,132 passing yards and an 8:7 TD:INT ratio through five games despite being surrounded by talented position players. A shoddy offensive line that allowed three sacks and two strip fumbles is part of the cause of thr offense's struggles, as Cousins was constantly met with pressure on five-…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 11 at 11:36pm by Rotowire.com
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Leads team to first win of season
Cousins went 16-for-22 passing with 260 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 31-23 win against the Texans. He added five rushing yards on four attempts.
Analysis: The 32-year-old QB avoided committing a turnover in a game for the first time this season, after he threw an average of two interceptions per game Weeks 1 through 3. Cousins still hasn't eclipsed the 260-yard passing mark in 2020, but at least he has multiple passing TDs in two of his four outings to this point. Next, Cousins will face a Seahawks defense that surrendered 362 combined passing and rushing yards to Miami's Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 4.
Published: Sun, Oct 4 at 4:33pm by Rotowire.com
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Bounces back in Week 3
Cousins completed 16 of his 27 pass attempts for 251 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in Week 3 against Tennessee.
Analysis: Cousins bounced back from an abysmal Week 2 performance for his first three-touchdown effort of the 2020 season. The highlight came on a 71-yard deep throw to rookie Justin Jefferson midway through the second quarter to give the Vikings a 24-12 lead. However, Cousins didn't play mistake-free as he threw two interceptions in the second half -- one on the team's first drive of the third quarter and another as the team was attempting to move down the field for the winning score late in the final…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 27 at 7:19pm by Rotowire.com
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Nightmarish outing against Colts
Cousins completed 11 of 26 pass attempts for 113 yards, throwing three interceptions during Sunday's 28-11 loss to the Colts.
Analysis: Indianapolis dominated Minnesota's front five in the pass rush, collecting seven QB hits and three sacks while deflecting nine of Cousins' pass attempts on the afternoon. The 32-year-old signal-caller was capable of putting up decent production against Green Bay last week with his team trailing throughout the second half, as he wrapped up with 259 passing yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota had only four offensive possessions throughout the entirety of the second half Sunday against…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 20 at 5:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Deceptive numbers in Week 1 loss
Cousins completed 19 of 25 passes for 259 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 43-34 loss to the Packers on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 34 yards and threw a two-point conversion pass.
Analysis: Fantasy managers were undoubtedly left mostly satisfied with Cousins' performance, considering he was involved in three scoring plays overall. However, in a real-world football sense, Cousins was less than effective, with his trio of scoring tosses (including his two-point pass) to Adam Thielen all coming in the fourth quarter when the Vikings had little realistic chance to mount a successful comeback. Cousins did average an impressive 10.4 yards per attempt while completing passes of 22, 29…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 13 at 2:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Getting more comfortable
Cousins has displayed increased accuracy as training camp has progressed, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Cousins has a number of incumbent receivers to throw to, most notably Adam Thielen, but the offseason trade of Stefon Diggs to the Bills has opened up a significant number of reps. Rookie first-round pick Justin Jefferson likely is the long-term answer as the No. 2 WR, but 2019 seventh-rounder Bisi Johnson has been working ahead of him so far in camp. During two campaigns with Diggs on board, Cousins completed a healthy 68.7 percent of his passes and averaged 7.5 yards per attempt, marks that…read more
Published: Tue, Aug 25 at 3:49pm by Rotowire.com
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Signs two-year extension
Cousins is signing a two-year contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Cousins signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million contract during the 2018 offseason, and the Vikings have seen enough to know that they want him around past 2020. The 31-year-old quarterback has completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 7.5 yards per attempt in a Minnesota uniform, tossing 56 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 31 regular-season games. Cousins will work with a new offensive coordinator in 2020, as the Vikings have promoted Gary Kubiak to replace Kevin Stefanski.
Published: Mon, Mar 16 at 7:07am by Rotowire.com
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Struggles in San Francisco
Cousins completed 21 of 29 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown with one interception in Saturday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers in the NFC divisional round.
Analysis: The Minnesota offense couldn't get much going either on the ground or through the air against one of the league's elite defenses, and while Cousins was accurate, he had little luck stretching the field aside from a 41-yard TD strike to Stefon Diggs in the first quarter. The 31-year-old QB finished his second regular season with the Vikings having completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,603 yards and a sharp 26:6 TD:INT through 15 games, as well as an 8.1 YPA that was a full yard better than…read more
Published: Sat, Jan 11 at 8:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Throws winning TD pass
Cousins completed 19 of 31 pass attempts for 242 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 26-20 wild-card win over the Saints.
Analysis: Cousins struggled in the early going, taking a back seat as the rushing attack carried the team. He was pressed into action in the second half and in overtime, when he led the team down the field before completing the game-winning touchdown to Kyle Rudolph. The veteran primarily connected with Adam Thielen, who broke off several big gains while piling up 129 yards. Although Cousins came out on top in this one, he didn't exactly light up the scoreboard and could be hard-pressed to do so again in…read more
Published: Sun, Jan 5 at 4:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Active, but likely working as backup
Cousins is active for Sunday's game against the Bears but is expected to serve as the backup to Sean Mannion, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Vikings haven't officially confirmed that Cousins won't start like he usually does, but with Minnesota already locked in as the NFC's No. 6 seed entering Sunday, there's little incentive for the team to exposing its top quarterback to a potential injury in a meaningless season finale. As Cronin notes, the fact the Vikings have made both of their starting offensive tackles (Riley Reiff and Brian O'Neill) healthy inactives is a sign Cousins will only play in an emergency.
Published: Sun, Dec 29 at 8:46am by Rotowire.com
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Not expected to play
Cousins and other Vikings starters are expected to be held out of Sunday's game against the Bears, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Vikings haven't finalized their plans but are reportedly leaning in this direction. Other candidates for rest and/or limited snaps include Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph, along with banged-up running backs Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ankle). Sean Mannion is next up at quarterback, while Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah, Bisi Johnson and Laquon Treadwell are the best bets to take on the vacated carries and targets.
Published: Fri, Dec 27 at 9:33am by Rotowire.com
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May not start against Chicago
Cousins doesn't know how much he'll play this week against the Bears or whether he'll play at all, the team's official web site reports. "Certainly would love to be able to play well and get a bad taste out of your mouth, and we'll see what ends up being the right call," he said.
Analysis: With the Vikings locked into the No. 6 playoff seed, there's nothing to play for this week against Chicago. Head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't said whether he'll rest his starters and may not announce a decision until kickoff. Cousins is a risky fantasy option as a result. However, the Vikings may play their starters for a quarter or two after a poor offensive performance in last week's loss to Green Bay.
Published: Thu, Dec 26 at 5:44pm by Rotowire.com
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MNF struggles continue
Cousins completed 16 of 31 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Monday's 23-10 loss to Green Bay.
Analysis: Cousins struggled outside of a 21-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs, which put Minnesota ahead 10-3 in the second quarter. He had a would-be 53-yard touchdown to Bisi Johnson in the fourth quarter erased on an offensive holding call and failed to move the offense effectively as he fell to a remarkable 0-9 on Monday Night Football. With seeding still at stake against the Bears in Week 17, Cousins will need to bounce back quickly. Hopefully standout running back Dalvin Cook (chest) will return and…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 23 at 8:42pm by Rotowire.com
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Quiet in blowout victory
Cousins completed 19 of 25 pass attempts for 207 yards, one touchdown, and one interception Sunday against the Chargers, adding 14 rushing yards in the 39-10 victory.
Analysis: Cousins completed 76 percent of his passes while his team's defense and rushing attack allowed him to take a risk-averse approach. He averaged 8.3 yards per attempt and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Irv Smith on the opening possession, but the lopsided nature of the game limited the necessity to pass. Next Monday's game against the Packers should be much more competitive, and with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) potentially sidelined, Cousins could be asked to throw early and often.
Published: Sun, Dec 15 at 7:49pm by Rotowire.com
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Manages Vikings to win
Cousins completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 242 yards and a touchdown in the team's Week 14 win over the Lions.
Analysis: Cousins failed to throw multiple touchdowns for the first time in four contests and attempted just 10 passes in the second half. He made the best of his limited volume, however, averaging 8.1 yards per pass attempt. His performance was highlighted by several long plays, including a 44-yard completion to Stefon Diggs as well as a 36-yard connection with Laquon Treadwell. Cousins draws a matchup against the Chargers in Week 15.
Published: Sun, Dec 8 at 2:48pm by Rotowire.com
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Comes up short in Week 13 loss
Cousins completed 22 of 38 passes for 276 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 37-30 loss to the Seahawks on Monday.
Analysis: Cousins had to make do without the services of Adam Thielen (hamstring) once again, which diluted his options in what turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The veteran quarterback battled through, however, hitting Laquon Treadwell and Kyle Rudolph for touchdown passes of 58 and three yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter to almost spearhead a comeback from a 34-17 deficit. However, Cousins' one error was a costly one, as his interception on the first play of the final period gave the…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 2 at 8:56pm by Rotowire.com
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Leads big comeback
Cousins completed 29 of 35 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday's 27-23 win over Denver. He lost a fumble during the contest.
Analysis: It was a tale of two halves as the Denver defense absolutely harassed Cousins before halftime, but the red-hot passer was able to lead touchdown drives on all four of Minnesota's possessions in the second half. The prettiest was a 54-yard bomb to Stefon Diggs early in the fourth quarter to bring Minnesota to within a score. Cousins sold a beautiful play-action fake, slid way out to his left and found Diggs flying up field. Cousins has been a completely different quarterback since Week 4's loss…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 17 at 1:56pm by Rotowire.com
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Throws for two scores in win
Cousins completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Cowboys.
Analysis: Cousins was constantly under pressure by the Cowboys' fierce pass rush anytime he would drop back to pass, which is the main reason for a sub-par mark of 6.9 yards per attempt. The veteran signal-caller was able to take what the defense gave him, which were short dump-offs to Dalvin Cook (86 of Cousins' 220 passing yards came on screen or swing passes to his running back). Cousins has quashed media criticism by providing more wins for his club of late, but his last three fantasy performances…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 10 at 10:11pm by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com -
Three-touchdown effort in loss
Cousins completed 19 of 38 passes for 220 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 26-23 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He also rushed once for five yards.
Analysis: Cousins dealt with the early exit of Adam Thielen (hamstring), who reinjured his leg in the first quarter and never returned. That may have helped lead to Cousins generating his second-lowest completion percentage of the season, but he still found a way to his fourth multi-touchdown effort in the last five games by notching scoring tosses to Bisi Johnson, Ameer Abdullah and Kyle Rudolph. Cousins now has three straight interception-free efforts, and he'll look to continue building momentum at…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 3 at 2:03pm by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com
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Up Next- Which QB has most on the line this season? | 'GMFB'Mon, May 15 at 7:25am
"GMFB" debates which quarterback has most on the line this season?
- 'GMFB' reacts to Kyle Brandt's NFC starting QB tiersThu, May 4 at 7:18am
"GMFB" reacts to NFL Network's Kyle Brandt's NFC starting quarterback tiers.
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