MINNEAPOLIS – During the most successful NFL season he’s been a part since he joined the league in 2012 Kirk Cousins The strangest thing he keeps saying is that he doesn’t play well. The mantra started in September and reached its peak Thursday night following the Minnesota Vikings One of the most efficient games against a quarterback was won by quarterback New England Patriots defense under coach Bill Belichick.
Cousins completed all 37 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He also compiled an 84.8 Total Quarterback Rating, a record-breaking season. 33-26 win. He then opened up to reporters during a postgame meeting, revealing his unique mixture of anguish & relief.
He said, “It’s funny because it’s winning, so I feel that talking to you guys this year has been a lot simpler.” But I’m not playing better. In fact, I am coming to these press conferences trying not to smile. It is hard for me to smile when I see that I need to do better. Because it makes things a little easier, I love winning.
The Vikings are currently 9-2 (.818 win rate), which is the best record Cousins has had through 11 games. Although his cumulative season statistics don’t match his career high of 68.5 QBR through 11 Washington games, he did throw a poor interception in the first half Thursday night that resulted in a Patriots field goal. Cousins did make a number of on-the money throws. This is the type Cousins has used to win games throughout the season, including a 36 yard dime to receiver. Justin Jefferson In the fourth quarter, a 15-yard toss to receiver was made Adam Thielen Thank you for the touchdown that gave Vikings the lead.
Final results showed that the Vikings’ team completion percentage of 81.6% was the second highest against a Patriots defense under Belichick. Cousins responded that he thought he had done better when asked about his thoughts. One was to receiver K.J. Osborn It was not quite right, and there was another one towards Jefferson that was off-the-mark and could have been intercepted.
He stated, “This my way man,” “I can be a little hard on myself. “I go back and look at all the things I can do better.”
From an individual standpoint, Cousins’ 2022 season isn’t even close to his best. This season’s 49.8 QBR is the worst in 12 weeks. His nine interceptions rank second in the league, along with his 65% completion rate. His teammates and coaches tell him to concentrate on the throws he made to win games.
Cousins was asked by a reporter if he would ever say that he played a great game.
He said, “No.” “I don’t know. This is probably why I drive my family crazy and myself crazy. This is how I wired. I am an improvement person. I am obsessed with improving. Even when things go well, my mind wanders to what can be done to make them better. That’s kind of how you torture yourself.”
The Patriots were not defeated by the Vikings because of Cousins’ arm strength. Kene NwangwuThe emotional high point of the game was’s 97 yard kickoff return in quarter three. Their pass defense improved significantly after Cousins was buried in seven sacks in a loss of 40-3 to the Lions. Dallas Cowboys. They were able to bring their own pass rush to the fourth quarter and sack Patriots quarterback Mac Jones Twice, the NFL’s replay system reversed a touchdown pass to Patriots tight end in the third quarter. Hunter HenryIt forced a Patriots field goal.
Cousins is not the only professional athlete to refuse credit. Cousins admitted that his attempts stem from a deeply held personal fixation. This is all happening at a time where coaches and teammates are trying their best to help him.
Cousins shared with reporters that Thielen approached him before Thursday’s game, and they “shared a encouraging word.” Thielen didn’t address the conversation directly with reporters Thursday night. However, he stated that Cousins shouldn’t feel like he’s “carrying the team’s weight on his shoulders.”
Thielen said that Thielen believes that this is something we constantly try to talk about with him. “Just get out there and have fun playing football. You are a good football player. Every week you prove it. You demonstrate how tough you can be. You demonstrate how well-prepared you are. He is one of the top players in the league when that happens — and he did tonight.
Jefferson also praised Cousins for his confidence in throwing him “50-50” balls. This has allowed Jefferson to score three red-zone touchdowns over the past four games and have seen him throw deeper passes of 37, 36, and 38 yards Thursday night.
Jefferson stated that Jefferson has been asking Jefferson to do this since he arrived. He seems to be more confident every week about giving me these types of footballs. It’s just a joy to go up and make a play.
Cousins was moved by the encouragement and the unwavering faith that Kevin O’Connell, Cousins’s coach since his February joining of the organization. Cousins, who is not often sentimental in public, expressed gratitude Thursday night for their encouragement to push him past his errors.
“Kevin [O’Connell] Cousins shared that the team has given him so much. “This team has empowered my so much. These guys are just amazing. They have been amazing in supporting me every week, assisting me before and after the interceptions, and even pregame in my locker room. It almost brings me to tears at times the way these guys support and care for me. It makes it so much more fun to play and work together.