Why Vikings' Kirk Cousins didn't enjoy wild-card playoff games

Injured Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins recently revealed to Fox News Digital senior editor Ryan Gaydos why he didn't love watching the most recent wild-card playoff games from his couch. 

"I got to be honest," Cousins explained. "Watching playoff games last weekend was tough. I feel like I’m in the wrong place and that we missed the target. So, that’s not a great feeling. But I remind myself that there’s more football up ahead for me next January. I want to make sure I’m not at home and that I’m still playing, winning big playoff games. So, that’s what keeps me going – the promise of the opportunities up ahead."

Cousins and the Vikings began the previous postseason tournament as champions of the NFC North after Minnesota accumulated a 13-4 regular-season record. The Vikes then suffered a surprising 31-24 home loss to the New York Giants in the wild-card round. 

Minnesota opened this season at 0-3 before the club improved to 3-4. However, Cousins went down with a campaign-ending torn Achilles on Oct. 29, and the Vikings ultimately finished Week 18 at 7-10.

"It’s been a real positive process," Cousins told Gaydos about his recovery. "I was nervous coming out of surgery about how grueling and boring is rehab going to be. You hear the horror stories. But that hasn’t been my experience. I really enjoyed working with the therapists, getting the gradual progress each day and watching the cast come off and the boot. Now, in a shoe. Just taking one step at a time and pushing but also not pushing too hard, making sure that next spring in practice I’m ready to go."

It's unclear where Cousins will participate in his next practice. The 35-year-old remains on track to reach free agency in March, but he and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both indicated earlier this month they're open to extending their working relationship through at least next season.