Vikings Beat the Packers, Might Lose Cousins for the Season

This should have been a joyful day for the Minnesota Vikings. They evened their season record to 4-4. They won a decisive game against the archrival Green Bay Packers by a score of 24-10. Jordin Addison is helping everyone forget about Justin Jefferson for a while. The revamped Brian Flores led defense is striking fear in the hearts of enemy quarterbacks. Then, about an hour after the game, the news hit Vikings fans like a thump.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins had left the game in the fourth quarter with what looked like a foot injury. But an hour after the game, it was reported that Cousins may have suffered a season-ending right Achilles tear. This still has to be confirmed by an MRI which will occur on Monday. But the prognosis and outlook for Cousins and the team suddenly look dim.

Vikings Score First

But first, a game recap. The game started sluggish for both teams until the Vikings started a long drive with 6:07 left in the first quarter. Mixing some Cam Akers’ runs, a 23-yard reception by T.J. Hockenson, and a Packer 15-yard roughing the passer penalty, the Vikings marched the ball down to the Packer six-yard line. From there, Akers smashed up the middle into the end zone for the Vikings first score of the day.

The Packers and Vikings exchanged second quarter field goals and the half ended with the Vikings leading 10-3. Addison, Hockenson, and K.J. Osborn all contributed clutch catches on the Vikings field goal possession. Defensively, the highlights of the first half were the two sacks credited to Vikings’ edge rusher, D.J. Wonnum. Safety Camryn Bynum also contributed to Wonnum’s second sack.

Vikings Pad Their Lead

The Vikings would add two more touchdowns in the third quarter to widen their lead. Osborn hauled in four catches totaling 60 yards to move the Minnesota offense into the red zone. Then with 9:28 left in the quarter, Cousins tossed a two-yard touchdown pass to Hockenson to extend the Vikings leads to 17-3.

On the ensuing Packers possession, Flores’ opportunistic defense would strike again. On third and eight, Packers quarterback Jordan Love lofted a ball deep, intended for Jayden Reed. But the always alert Josh Metellus intercepted the pass and returned it all of the way to the Green Bay 20-yard line.

On the very next play, Cousins would hit a streaking Addison for a 20-yard touchdown strike. The Vikings now led 24-3.

Packers Finally Score

When the Packers got the ball back, they would proceed on their only sustained drive of the game. A series of short runs by Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon and a 31-yard reception by Reed earned the Packers a spot on the Vikings one yard line. From there Love tossed a one-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. The Vikings now held a two-touchdown lead.

Cousin then marshalled the Vikings down the field on a 15 play, 45-yard possession. But all was for naught as kicker Greg Joseph had a 44-yard field goal attempt blocked by the Packers’ Karl Brooks.

Cousins Goes Down

It was on the final play before the field goal attempt where Cousins went down with his injury. With pressure from the Packers defensive line, he attempted to run left to get out of harm’s way. As he did, you could see him grimace with pain and fall to the ground. Kenny Clark then lightly touched him for a sack.

He hobbled off the field and was attended to by the training staff. Rookie Jaren Hall replaced him, and he went 3-4 passing for 23 yards. He also coughed up a ball that was recovered by Green Bay. The Vikings defense shut the Packers down the remainder of the game on three fourth down stops. The Vikings were happy for their victory but sad and concerned about their leader.

Concern for Kirk

This situation raises many concerns. The first is health and safety of Kirk Cousins. That is foremost in everyone’s hearts and minds. Immediately for the Vikings, if it is a tear, what do they about the quarterback position moving forward. Jaren Hall might be pressed into duty next week to face the Falcons in Atlanta.

But what about moving forward. As par for the course, all of the usual suspects are being bandied about as possible replacements for Cousins. But a starker reality is this: was this Kirk Cousins’ last game in a Vikings uniform? His contract expires after this season and there has been much speculation on what the future holds for both he and the team.

But for now, our thoughts should be with Kirk and his family. May his recovery be speedy and complete.