Kirk Cousins’ Return Poses Particular Problem for Vikings
Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota for the first time since leaving with his Atlanta Falcons team. His return poses a particular problem for the Vikings’ defense, which Brian Flores needs to fix.
Kirk Cousins’ Return Poses Particular Problem for Vikings
The Vikings have lost two games this season, and it came in the only two games in which the Vikings allowed the opposition to reach 30 points. As much talent as the Vikings have on offense, a lot of the reason for their success this season is the defense. In the two losses — to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams — savvy veteran quarterbacks could read what the Vikings were trying to do and take advantage against the blitz. Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford got the ball out quickly and were successful with screens and check-downs.
Kyler Murray also had a lot of success last week until it came to scoring touchdowns, with the Vikings holding the Cardinals to field goals.
Cousins fits the bill of the intelligent veteran quarterback who should be able to have at least some success in getting the ball quickly. However, the Falcons don’t have the experienced and highly rated play-caller like the Lions and Rams had with Ben Johnson and Sean McVay. The Falcons’ offensive coordinator is Zac Robinson, another branch on the McVay coaching tree, and the Falcons’ head coach is Raheem Morris. Robinson is in his first season as an OC after coming over with Morris from the Rams this year. It shouldn’t matter to Cousins, who, at his best, would be able to find the soft spots in the Vikings’ zone coverage.
Pressure is on the Falcons’ Offense
After a dismal display in defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers last week, in which Cousins threw four interceptions, the pressure is on the Falcons’ offense as they come to Minnesota to face one of the league’s best defenses. Robinson has been criticized for letting the offense get too stagnant, and Cousins, unsurprisingly, is under fire after such a bad game.
The Falcons sit at the top of a weak NFC South division, but the opportunity to get away from a banged-up Tampa Bay team never materialized. With the Buccaneers getting healthier, both teams are on a 6-6 record, and with the Buccs playing a struggling Raiders team this week, the Falcons may need to win to avoid falling behind their division rival.
Cousins came into this season on the back of the Achilles injury that cut short his last year in Minnesota. The hope in Atlanta is that the veteran will get stronger as the season progresses, but the opposite seems to be happening. Looking like almost playoff certainties at 6-3, the Falcons have lost three in a row where Cousins hasn’t thrown a single touchdown but has thrown six interceptions. On the road to Minnesota is a tough place to be heading for a team trying to refind their form.
The Blake Cashman Effect
One difference between this Sunday’s game and the two previous losses is that the Vikings will have Blake Cashman at inside linebacker. Cashman missed both the Lions and Rams games because of turf toe, and his absence was significantly felt. Not only will Cashman play a big role in defending the middle of the field from Cousins’ quick passes, but they will be integral to the Vikings’ run defense. Minnesota has one of the best run defenses in the league, and it will be tested in this game.
Running behind a good offensive line, the Vikings must deal with Bijan Robinson. Last year’s eighth overall pick has been much better in Year 2, amassing 885 yards and 7 touchdowns through 12 games. Cousins proved many times while in Minnesota that he could bounce back from a bad game. If the Falcons can move the ball on the ground and get it out quickly, they can cause defense problems for the Vikings. The key for the Vikings will be to get pressure on Cousins without needing to blitz too often.
Minnesota knows only too well what can happen when Cousins gets flustered and will want another of those types of games on Sunday.
With the Lions and Packers meeting on Thursday, the Vikings must do their part to put themselves in the strongest possible position going into the last four games.
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