Vikings Quarterback Report Card Following Win over Packers

It’s not really supposed to be so simple. The Minnesota Vikings were afflicted with one of the worst offenses in recent memory, and their inability to move the ball or maintain possession had negated all the good things their defense had done in consecutive games against the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.

The performance in the Monday night Week 9 loss to the Bills was so bad that the Vikings had no choice but to acquire a new/old quarterback prior to the trade deadline Tuesday. That was truly a desperation move by the Vikings, and the idea that Kirk Cousins would turn things around for the Vikings just days after the move seemed a bit too much to ask.

Maybe Cousins could improve on the Carson Wentz embarrassment on Monday night, but the idea of going into Lambeau Field and delivering the road upset seemed to be too much to ask. The Packers had won 5 of 6 games and had ripped apart the New England Patriots with a 45-27 victory and QB Jordan Love was on fire.

It was not too much to ask. The Vikings played with renewed confidence and Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 207 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Minnesota defeated the Packers 30-10 and improved its record to 7-2 on the season.

Cousins to Jefferson connection comes to life in 2nd half

Cousins gave the offense a lift, delivering clutch TD passes to Myles Price and tight end Gavin Bartholomew before the quarterback’s connection with Justin Jefferson took over. The pair hooked up 9 times for 74 yards, and that helped the Vikings roll to the victory. Six of those Jefferson receptions came in the second half when the Vikings put the game away.

Cousins was clearly one of the heroes for the Vikings, but he predictably tried to credit others. He spoke to the Fox TV sideline reporter Kristina Pink.

“It’s the defense,” Cousins said. “The defense played lights out.

“The coaches gave me a great game plan and my teammates did a great job. I can be a lot better, but with this defense, we have a chance.”

The Vikings were hoping that Cousins would give them a lift. He did more than that in his first game back with the Vikings since 2023.

He has earned a grade of A in his first game in his return, and he will have an opportunity to play in an even more high-profile game when the Vikings meet the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 11 prime time meeting in Mexico City.