Case Keenum gave Minnesota the "Minneapolis Miracle." Kirk Cousins gave the city this:
Giants get the stop on 4th down!
— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) January 16, 2023
They take down the Vikings in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/sNQ52touO8
On a 4th-and-8 with 1:51 remaining and no timeouts and the Vikings trailing by a touchdown, Cousins elected to throw the ball five yards short of the line to gain to a blanketed receiver.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson made the reception but was immediately tackled by Xavier McKinney. New York got the ball back and won, 31-24.
The game-sealing reception was a far cry from the "Minneapolis Miracle" pass from Keenum to wide receiver Stefon Diggs against the Saints in the divisional round of the 2017 playoffs that sent Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game.
One year ago today... @casekeenum. @StefonDiggs. @Vikings.
— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2019
MINNEAPOLIS MIRACLE! (via @NFLThrowback) pic.twitter.com/9MmZV5U53h
That play is in the pantheon of great playoff finishes. Cousins' pass will only live in infamy.
Sunday's play was made even worse when remembering that Justin Jefferson is a Viking. That's the same Jefferson who made the best catch in NFL history on a fourth-and-18 in Buffalo earlier this year.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON ASDGJSKDNFGKSDF;K
— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022
: #MINvsBUF on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/uRjde5F169 pic.twitter.com/sxiLVx0NCi
Cousins didn't get the ball in the hands of the Vikings best player. For a QB, that's an unforgivable gaffe.
Fans were quick to roast Cousins for his poor decision.
[4th and 8, final drive of the game, down by a touchdown]
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) January 16, 2023
KIRK COUSINS: go out three yards turn around and i’m gonna hit you right in the numbers
THE TEAM: kirk we need 8 yards though
KIRK COUSINS: *puts on a pair of sunglasses and smokes a big cigar* trust me
Kirk wyd man
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 16, 2023
A long off season ahead for Kirk Cousins after that 4th down throw. The 3 yard out when you need 8. Wow wow wow wow wow. Even Matt Patricia wouldn’t have called that.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 16, 2023
A 3 yard attempt on 4th and 8 is as peak Kirk Cousins as it gets
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 16, 2023
Need 8 yards and Kirk Cousins throws a 3 yard pass on and 4th and the season??
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) January 16, 2023
Cousins had solid numbers on Sunday — 31-of-39 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions or sacks — but his performance will be remembered for his poor final decision.
It's a disappointing end to a miraculous Vikings season that should have never gotten this far. Minnesota was 13-4 despite being outscored by three points. The team had a good record but it masked what is actually a much worse team.
They were never a serious threat to win the Super Bowl. Teams that finish the regular season second-to-last in total defense rarely are.
Minnesota ranked 31st this year with 388.7 yards allowed per game.
The throw reflected the franchise's season. On the Vikings' final offensive play, Cousins made the completion. Like their season, it didn't amount to much.
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