Despite aligning in pistol formations on a league-high 41.1% of offensive snaps (20% higher than any other offense), the Falcons have drastically decreased their pistol formation rate since Kirk Cousins took over as quarterback.

Kirk Cousins completed 30 of 43 passes for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Falcons’ Week 15 win against the Buccaneers.

Throwback effort in upset win

Cousins completed 30 of 44 passes for 373 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Falcons' 29-28 win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. He also fumbled once but recovered.

Analysis: Cousins' what-year-is-this performance was worthy of a double take, considering the veteran signal-caller had looked like he'd regressed considerably in his previous four starts and two in-game cameos prior to Thursday night. He had embarrassed the Buccaneers secondary last season in an unforgettable 509-yard, four-touchdown TNF performance as well, and this latest prolific effort went largely through tight end Kyle Pitts, who was on the receiving end of 11 of Cousins' completions totaling 166…read more

Shut down by Seattle

Cousins completed 15 of 30 passes for 162 yards and two interceptions in Sunday's 37-9 loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: The Falcons were limited to just three field goals on the day, as Cousins simply couldn't get anything going. The absence of Drake London (knee) was noticeable, as tight end Kyle Pitts was the only Atlanta pass catcher to make much of an impact. Cousins has a 3:3 TD:INT in three starts since Michael Penix (knee) was lost for the season, but the veteran QB might have more success in Week 15 against the Buccaneers.

Throws for 234 in loss

Cousins completed 21 of 33 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets.

Analysis: Cousins had only 86 first-half passing yards but led a touchdown drive, capped by a one-yard Tyler Allgeier run, to tie the score at 7-7 with nine seconds left before halftime. Atlanta's first drive of the third quarter was also capped by a rushing score, this time on a five-yard Bijan Robinson run. Cousins then broke a 17-17 tie by connecting with David Sills for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Jets scored the game's final 10 points to drop Atlanta…read more

First win as starter in 2025

Cousins completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 199 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while gaining five yards on two carries in Sunday's 24-10 win over New Orleans.

Analysis: Cousins earned his first win of the 2025 season in his second start for the Falcons after it was announced that starter Michael Penix (knee) will miss the remainder of the year. The 36-year-old Cousins experienced greater success compared to his spot-start in a loss to the Dolphins back in Week 8 and a pair of relief appearances that netted zero combined touchdowns. The highly-paid backup is unlikely to reach the elite levels of production we were used to seeing back in his heyday playing for…read more

Taking over for rest of season

The Falcons announced Wednesday that Cousins will take over as their starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game at New Orleans after a second opinion confirmed that Michael Penix (knee) will require season-ending surgery to address a partially torn left ACL, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Cousins already looked to be in line to start at least four games after the Falcons relayed Monday that Penix would be headed to injured reserve, but now that the 25-year-old quarterback has been confirmed to need season-ending surgery, Cousins' run atop the depth chart will be extended. Per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Easton Stick will be signed to the 53-man roster to work as Cousins' backup, while Kyle Trask will replace Stick on the team's…read more

May start rest of season

Cousins could serve as Atlanta's starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 campaign with Michael Penix feared to have sustained a season-ending knee injury during Sunday's 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cousins entered Sunday's loss in the third quarter, completing six of 14 passes for 48 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while gaining two yards on one carry. Previously, Cousins started Week 8 against the Dolphins with Penix sidelined due to a bone bruise in his knee, completing 21 of 31 pass attempts for 173 yards and again being held without a touchdown or interception. Penix is reportedly seeking a second opinion on his knee injury, but if his season is indeed over, Cousins will…read more

Handles emergency duty in OT loss

Cousins completed six of 14 passes for 48 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and added one rush for two yards in the Falcons' 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports Michael Penix suffered a knee injury in the third quarter on a hit he took on an incomplete pass. That led to Cousins seeing his second dose of extended action this season, and although his final line underscores the fact he was relatively ineffective, he did manage to lead Atlanta to two field goals, including the game-tying kick with 16 seconds remaining in regulation. If Penix ultimately is unable to suit up for next Sunday's road divisional clash against…read more

Returning to backup role

Cousins will move back to the No. 2 QB role Sunday at New England with Michael Penix (knee) not receiving a designation for that contest

Analysis: Cousins earned a spot start for Penix this past Sunday against the Dolphins due to the latter's bone bruise in his knee, but the former didn't fare well, completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions and rushing twice for two yards in a 34-10 loss. This week, Penix followed up limited practices Wednesday and Thursday with a full session Friday, thereby clearing him to return to action. Cousins likely won't see the field Sunday, barring an injury setback to Penix…read more

Lackluster showing in spot start

Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while rushing twice for two yards in the Falcons' 34-10 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Analysis: Making his first start since Week 15 of last season, Cousins understandably had some rust to work through, and he also had the disadvantage of having to operate without No. 1 receiver Drake London (hip). Cousins eventually developed a bit of rhythm as the game went on, but he averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt and focused the overwhelming majority of his attention on Kyle Pitts. Cousins could certainly be better now that he has a game under his belt and with another week of practice -- not to…read more

Starting in place of Penix

Cousins will start Sunday's game against the Dolphins with Michael Penix (knee) inactive, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: Penix came out of last Sunday's defeat in San Francisco with a bone bruise in his knee that limited him in practice Wednesday through Friday and resulted in a questionable tag for Week 8 action. Adam Schefter of ESPN then reported Saturday morning that Cousins likely was going to start for Penix, before reporting later Saturday that Cousins was in line to direct the Falcons offense this weekend. With Penix's lack of availability confirmed, Cousins will earn his first start since Week 15 of last…read more

Slated to start versus Miami

Cousins will start Sunday's game against the Dolphins due to Michael Penix (knee) being expected to be sidelined for the contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Penix logged a trio of limited practices during the week and was deemed questionable on Atlanta's final injury report Friday. However, news emerged early Saturday that the second-year quarterback was trending toward sitting out, and that now appears to be confirmed, per Schefter's sources. As a result, Cousins is in line to make his first start of the season. In his only appearance so far in 2025, Cousins completed five of seven pass attempts for 29 yards in mop-up duty against Carolina in Week…read more

In line to start Week 8

With Michael Penix recovering from a bone bruise in his knee, Cousins is "highly likely" to start against the Dolphins on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: While Penix had his practice reps limited all week, Cousins was the one who worked with the first-team offense, which puts the veteran quarterback in line to make his first start of the 2025 regular season. Cousins started in the first 14 games of the 2024 regular season before Penix took over for the final three contests of the year. Cousins' lone appearance in 2025 came during the Falcons' Week 3 blowout loss to the Panthers, when he took over under center in the fourth quarter and completed…read more

Makes 2025 debut in blowout

Cousins completed five of seven passes for 29 yards during Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Panthers.

Analysis: Cousins didn't play at all during the preseason and hadn't seen game action since getting benched at the end of last season. Despite the dud from Michael Penix on Sunday, the Falcons are still rolling with the youngster as their starter and trying to trade Cousins. However, Jay Glazer reported on Fox NFL Sunday that Atlanta hasn't received any trade inquiries about the veteran QB, despite several teams dealing with injured signal-callers.

League-wide interest low

The Falcons haven't received any trade inquiries on Cousins over the past week, despite a number of teams dealing with injuries at quarterback, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."

Analysis: The Falcons are willing to trade Cousins, but they also didn't put anything on tape with him this preseason to demonstrate that he has fully recovered from the injuries that ultimately contributed to him being benched during the 2024 season. He'll continue to serve as Michael Penix's top backup until a potential trade suitor emerges as the season unfolds.

Not in line to play Friday

Cousins will not suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cousins will join starting quarterback Michael Penix on the sideline for a third consecutive preseason game, positioning Easton Stick for a final exhibition start, with free-agent pickup Ben DiNucci in line to close things out under center in the wake of Emory Jones (concussion) being waived/injured Monday. By all indications, Cousins will kick off the regular season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Penix in Atlanta, though the Falcons would likely pick up the phone for trade inquiries if a team…read more

Not playing Friday

Cousins won't suit up for Friday's preseason game against the Titans, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: For a second consecutive exhibition, both Cousins and No. 1 quarterback Michael Penix won't be available to the Falcons, leaving Easton Stick to start under center and Emory Jones to sub in once Stick is done for the evening. Cousins is slated to serve as the backup to Penix in 2025, but if a QB-needy team pops up at some point in the coming weeks or months, Cousins could find himself on the move.

Won't play Friday night

Cousins won't play in Friday's preseason game against Detroit, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Neither will starter Michael Penix, leaving Easton Stick and Emory Jones as Atlanta's quarterbacks. Cousins, meanwhile, presumably still wants to be traded to a team that will give him a chance to start, but he's practicing with the Falcons' backups in the meantime.

Will attend mandatory minicamp

Cousins is slated to attend the Falcons' mandatory minicamp Tuesday and Wednesday. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Cousins attended Atlanta's voluntary workouts in April but not voluntary OTAs in late May and early June. The veteran quarterback has expressed his desire to be traded to a team where he could compete to start, rather than work as the backup to Michael Penix. The Browns, Steelers and Vikings had been named as potential suitors for Cousins this offseason, but Cleveland has since added rookie draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, while Pittsburgh's long-awaited one-year deal with Aaron…read more

Suitors may include Vikings?

The Browns, Steelers and Vikings may be interested in acquiring Cousins, whose contract includes a no-trade clause, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The contract also has a guaranteed $27.5 million salary for 2025, plus a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus in 2026. Cousins somewhat unexpectedly showed up for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs this week, but he still seems to be hoping for a trade that would put him in a starting role -- preferably without competition from an early draft pick at the position. Pittsburgh would seem to be the cleanest fit, if Aaron Rodgers doesn't end up signing there and the Steelers don't use an early…read more

Shows up for voluntary workouts

Cousins is present for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Cousins' attendance at voluntary OTAs is something of a surprise, after he was benched in Week 16 last season in favor of Michael Penix. Atlanta could have released Cousins in mid-March to avoid having his $10 million guaranteed roster bonus kick in, but the team opted to keep the veteran quarterback in house as a backup option or trade asset. However, Cousins' contract includes a no trade-clause, which he seems unlikely to waive unless it's to find a starting role elsewhere.

Not expected at OTAs

Cousins isn't expected to show up for voluntary OTAs this spring, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: The Falcons kept Cousins on the roster in mid-March rather than releasing him to avoid having a $10 million guarantee kicking in. He may still be traded at some point this offseason, but there's a real chance he enters Week 1 as the backup in Atlanta behind 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix. The Falcons benched Cousins in favor of Penix for the final three games last season, with the rookie completing 58 of 100 passes for 737 yards (7.4 YPA), three TDs and three INTs, plus seven carries for…read more

Won't be released ahead of deadline

The Falcons have decided to keep Cousins on their roster ahead of Saturday's 4 pm ET deadline for his $10 million guarantee to kick in, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cousins lost his starting job to Michael Penix late last season and has been the subject of trade speculation in recent months. However, the Falcons appear determined to keep him around as a backup and mentor to Penix for at least one more season. It's still possible that a trade partner will emerge to persuade Atlanta to part ways with the veteran quarterback, but Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract and may waive it only if put in the position to be a starter elsewhere.

May request trade after draft

Cousins may wait until after the NFL Draft to request a trade and/or waive his no-trade clause, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Analysis: The idea would be to see which teams use an early pick on a quarterback before finding a new home for 2025. Cousins, of course, signed a four-year contract with the Falcons last offseason, only to see them take Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick. Cousins mostly struggled in his first year back from an Achilles tear, and Penix eventually took over the starting job for the final three weeks. It may help Cousins to be another year removed from his injury, but he'll also be in his age-37…read more

Dealt with late-season injuries

Cousins said Tuesday that the right shoulder injury he sustained in Week 10 impacted the quality of his play down the stretch, and contributed to his benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix in Week 16, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Cousins' season looked remarkably different prior to Week 10, as he boasted a 17:7 TD:INT entering the road matchup against New Orleans, compared to a 1:9 TD:INT in his final five appearances. He was listed on the injury report immediately after the contest against the Saints, but was then limited for only one practice before being listed as healthy to conclude the campaign. Coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot also affirmed multiple times that the veteran QB's health wasn't a…read more

Tabbed for backup role in 2025

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Thursday that Cousins will head into the 2025 season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Michael Penix, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports. "Kirk is a great man and he's been great support for Mike, a great teammate, great support for everybody in the building, so we're very confident moving forward with him as the backup," Fontenot said.

Analysis: Shortly after the Falcons benched Cousins in favor of Penix in Week 16, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the expectation in league circles was that Atlanta would cut Cousins before March 17, when the 36-year-old quarterback is due a $10 million roster bonus. Fontenot pushed back on that report during his press conference Thursday, noting that Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal last March with the expectation that they would "get high-level quarterback play for two…read more

Expected to be cut in offseason

Cousins is expected to be cut by the Falcons before his $10 million roster bonus is due March 17, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Cousins has been demoted to the backup role behind rookie first-round pick Michael Penix ahead of Atlanta's Week 16 game against the Giants. The veteran quarterback lost his starting role after posting a 1:9 TD:INT in his last five starts. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons prior to the 2024 season, but Atlanta appears ready to move forward with Penix while eating the remainder of Cousins' $100 million guarantee.

Will work as backup

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Cousins will serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind rookie Michael Penix in Sunday's game against the Giants, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: On Tuesday, Morris announced that Penix would take over as Atlanta's starter, but it wasn't immediately known if Cousins would serve as his direct backup, or if the Falcons would elevate Nathan Peterman from the practice squad to handle those duties. Rather than making Cousins a healthy inactive, Atlanta will continue to have the veteran signal-caller suit up on game days, even though the Falcons are now turning the offense over to the rookie first-round pick. Cousins' long-term future in…read more

Loses starting QB job

Head coach Raheem Morris announced Tuesday that Cousins has been removed as the team's starting quarterback in favor of Michael Penix, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports. "After review we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward," Morris said in a statement. "This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday's game against the New York Giants."

Analysis: Cousins struggled over the Falcons' past five games, posting a 1:9 TD:INT while the team went 1-4. Though the squad snapped a four-game losing streak Monday against the Raiders, Cousins didn't do well, completing 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Morris was non-committal about the veteran quarterback continuing to start under center for the squad earlier Tuesday, and the Falcons later made the announcement that Penix will be taking over as the team's starting…read more

Not yet confirmed for Week 16 start

Head coach Raheem Morris was non-committal Tuesday when asked if Cousins will remain the Falcons' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Giants, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. "We just got back [from Las Vegas]. We still have to go through that process," Morris said. "All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn't play well enough at the quarterback position."

Analysis: Though the Falcons snapped their four-game losing streak Monday with a 15-9 win over the Raiders, Cousins' play didn't inspire much confidence. After he turned in a disastrous 0:8 TD:INT during the previous four games, the Falcons leaned heavily on their ground attack in Week 15. Cousins was unable to do much with his 20 dropbacks, taking three sacks and completing 11 of 17 pass attempts for 112 yards, one touchdown and his NFL-leading 16th interception of the season. Though a soft home matchup…read more

Pedestrian numbers in win

Cousins completed 11 of 17 passes for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception and netted no gain on three rush attempts in the Falcons' 15-9 win over the Raiders on Monday night. He also committed a fumble but recovered.

Analysis: Cousins' numbers were hardly of the redemptive variety after a four-game stretch that may have had his starting job in danger, but the veteran signal-caller at least snapped his four-game touchdown drought with a 30-yard first-quarter scoring strike to Drake London. Cousins ultimately wasn't tasked with doing much more against an inept Raiders offense helmed by Desmond Ridder, leading to his lowest passing yardage total of the campaign. Cousins may enjoy a similar game script in a Week 16 home…read more

Team not considering QB change

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Monday that Cousins remains Atlanta's starting quarterback heading into a road matchup against the Raiders on Dec. 16, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: Morris said Cousins "is the guy who is going to lead us" heading into a primetime matchup against Las Vegas next Monday, reaffirming the notion that Atlanta still isn't considering giving rookie first-round pick Michael Penix even a spot start. Still, the Falcons now have lost four consecutive games, during which Cousins has thrown eight interceptions without a single touchdown. If Atlanta's passing game were to notably struggle once again in Week 15, Morris' commitment to Cousins could waver.

Comes up short in Minnesota return

Cousins completed 23 of 37 passes for 344 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the Falcons' 42-21 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Analysis: Making his return to Minnesota, Cousins' afternoon started off in fine fashion when he helmed an 11-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a Tyler Allgeier six-yard touchdown run on the game's opening possession. However, the Vikings' aggressive defense progressively began figuring out its former teammate, allowing just three additional points during the rest of the first half with the help of one of two interceptions off Cousins during the afternoon. Cousins faltered again with just under six…read more

No QB change imminent

Falcons coach Raheem Morris was emphatic when speaking with Fox NFL Sunday's Jay Glazer that no quarterback change was imminent between Cousins and Michael Penix.

Analysis: Morris reiterated that Cousins' Achilles is not the cause of his recent struggles, which have seen him throw zero touchdowns and six interceptions over his last three games. He did say that Cousins was sore all over, but that they worked on his maintenance over the week of practice. Meanwhile, Fox colleague Peter Schraeger reported that Penix didn't take any first-team reps in practice this week, buttressing Glazer's report.

Undone by turnovers Sunday

Cousins completed 24 of 39 passes for 245 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions in the Falcons' 17-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. He also rushed once for three yards and committed a fumble recovered by Atlanta.

Analysis: Cousins was able to move the ball well over the Falcons' first two drives on the way to helping Atlanta to 10 points, but his troubles began on the third possession when he tossed his first interception of the afternoon at the Chargers' 29-yard line. Cousins was able to help lead another pair of scoring marches the rest of the way, both which culminated in field goals, and his three second-half picks, including a pick-six and another that came at Los Angeles' 24-yard line with 47 seconds…read more

TD drought hits two games

Cousins completed 18 of 27 passes for 173 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Broncos. He also rushed once for no gain.

Analysis: Cousins struggled as the Falcons posted a poor performance across the board before waving the white flag by inserting backup quarterback Michael Penix down 38-6 in the fourth quarter. The bigger long-term concern for Cousins could be the status of wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who exited in the third quarter due to a hamstring injury, though Atlanta's Week 12 bye could provide an opportunity for the team's leader in receiving yards to recover prior to a Week 13 home game against the Chargers.…read more

Full practice Thursday

Cousins (right shoulder/right elbow) practiced fully Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: After opening Week 11 prep with a limited session due to a pair of health concerns, Cousins was back to full participation one day later. With his status clear ahead of the weekend, he'll turn his attention to Sunday's contest and a Broncos defense that hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer in 10 games this season.

Listed with pair of injuries

Cousins was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to right shoulder and elbow injuries, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: Cousins apparently came out of Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Saints with a pair of injuries to his throwing arm. His participation in practice to start the week, even in a limited capacity, suggests he'll likely play this Sunday at Denver in the final game before Atlanta's bye.

Tops 300 yards in Sunday's loss

Cousins completed 23 of 38 passes for 306 yards with an interception in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: An uncharacteristically awful day for Younghoe Koo cost the Falcons a win, but Cousins also struggled to get the ball into the end zone, failing to throw a TD pass for the first time since Week 4 -- the last time he faced the Saints. The veteran QB's 306 passing yards were his second-highest total of the season, however, behind only his mammoth 509-yard effort in Week 5 against the Bucs. Cousins will look to rebound on the road in Week 11, but he'll be facing another stingy secondary in the…read more

Fires three TDs in win

Cousins completed 19 of 24 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: The veteran QB found Drake London (hip), Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud for scores in one of his most efficient performances of the season. Cousins has tossed 13 TDs over the last five games against only three INTs, and even if London's hip issue keeps him sidelined in Week 10, the signal-caller should have more than enough talent around him to take care of a reeling Saints squad.

Punishes Buccaneers again Sunday

Cousins completed 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed three times for 16 yards in the Falcons' 31-26 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also committed a fumble that went out of the end zone for a safety.

Analysis: Cousins had burned the Buccaneers for four scoring tosses during a memorable overtime victory in Week 5, but with Tampa Bay down both Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (IR-knee) on Sunday, the veteran signal-caller wasn't expected to have to be overly aggressive through the air. No one informed the feisty Buccaneers, which kept Cousins engaged through the air for all four quarters and facilitated another stellar performance in the process. Cousins connected with Kyle Pitts for touchdown…read more

Stymied by Seahawks in loss

Cousins completed 24 of 35 passes for 232 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and rushed once for minus-1 yard in the Falcons' 34-14 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday. He also lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Analysis: Cousins' trio of turnovers certainly had a part to play in the surprisingly lopsided loss, as he handed the ball to the Seahawks on three consecutive second-half possessions. The miscues netted a total of 10 points for Seattle, and both picks also short-circuited drives in Seahawks territory. Cousins' one scoring pass went to Drake London midway through the third quarter from five yards out, and the veteran signal-caller will have to quickly regroup considering a Week 8 road divisional clash…read more

Efficient in victory Sunday

Cousins completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 225 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over in Sunday's 38-20 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Cousins cruised to victory on the back of impressive rushing performances from Bijan Robinson (15-95-2) and Tyler Allgeier (18-105-1). The Falcons' starting quarterback still produced an efficient passing line with no turnovers for fantasy managers, but this was certainly a step down from Cousins' career day against the Buccaneers in Week 5. The veteran is still worthy of starting considerations in most formats ahead of next Sunday's tilt against Seattle.

Record-setting night in win

Cousins completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in the Falcons' 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

Analysis: Cousins was in prolific form right from the onset, capping off the opening possession of the night with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Drake London. The veteran signal-caller would strike again early in the second quarter via a 24-yard scoring toss to Darnell Mooney, and Cousins would connect with the speedster again in the fourth quarter from 12 yards away. However, Cousins' most impactful throw came just 1:15 into overtime, when he hit KhaDarel Hodge on a 45-yard catch and run that served as…read more

Held in check in win

Cousins completed 21 of 35 passes for 238 yards and an interception in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Saints.

Analysis: The veteran quarterback failed to throw a TD pass for the first time in four games as a member of the Falcons, but instead Atlanta got its offense on a fumble recovery score on special teams, a pick-six by the defense, and four Younghoe Koo field goals, including a 58-yard game-winner with two seconds left on the clock. Cousins has yet to break out for Atlanta, posting a 4:4 TD:INT so far and failing to reach 250 passing yards in a game, but he may need to step up his production in Week 5…read more

Decent output in tough matchup

Cousins completed 20 of 29 pass attempts for 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 22-17 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: Cousins performed adequately against the reigning Super Bowl champs on Sunday, completing over two-thirds of his pass attempts and throwing for a touchdown against a tough defense. That said, the final fantasy line left much to be desired from hopeful managers. Cousins has yet to surpass the 300-yard mark in any of his first three starts in Atlanta after accomplishing the same feat three times in three tries last season with Minnesota. The veteran starter remains a viable option against another…read more

Leads impressive comeback Monday

Cousins completed 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and netted minus-1 yard on four carries in the Falcons' 22-21 win over the Eagles on Monday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Atlanta.

Analysis: Cousins played hero after a disappointing Falcons debut Week 1, with the veteran signal-caller seemingly shaking off some final rust over the course of the contest. He got into a rhythm when it mattered most, helming a six-play, 70-yard drive that began with 1:39 remaining and saw him complete three passes of double-digit yardage before capping off the march with a seven-yard touchdown pass. The scoring toss, which proved to be the difference in the contest, was preceded by a 41-yard TD strike…read more

Falls flat in team debut

Cousins completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 18-10 loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: Cousins did not have a good Falcons debut, as he struggled with both inefficiency and untimely mistakes. Each of his interceptions led directly to a field goal for the Steelers, and Cousins appeared out of sync in the offense as the team lost a fumble due to mistimed motion. Cousins also managed only 6.0 yards per attempt, and his longest completion went for just 20 yards. The considerable rust is understandable given that it's been 10 months since he appeared in game action, though Cousins and…read more

No-go for preseason, set for Week 1

Cousins will not suit up for any of the Falcons' preseason games, but he "has no limitations" per coach Raheem Morris and remains on track to start Week 1 versus the Steelers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: "The guy's full-go," Morris said. "I don't worry about [Cousins]." The veteran signal-caller has reportedly showcased a recent willingness to tuck and run the ball at practices and take hits that will extend a play, which are positive signs as he heads into his age-36 season while working back from a serious injury. Morris said the Falcons fully expect Cousins to be ready for Sept. 8's regular-season opener, but that in the meantime "we're just trying to avoid any unnecessary trips or…read more

Medically cleared for camp

Cousins (Achilles) is medically cleared for training camp but could have some "modifications" to his workload, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: In other words, Cousins might not get as many reps as a starting quarterback typically would even though he doesn't have any limitations in terms of the types of activities he can do. The Falcons have two good options to handle first-team QB reps when Cousins is rested, as they still have Taylor Heinicke and drafted Michael Penix eighth overall. The latter development could make things rather interesting in Atlanta if Cousins doesn't look like his Minnesota self in his age-36 season ahead. The…read more

Joined by first-round rookie QB

Cousins (Achilles), who signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in March, is slated to be joined in the team's QB corps by Michael Penix, who was taken with the No. 8 overall pick in Thursday's NFL draft, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: Despite the franchise's surprising decision to select Penix, Cousins, who is rebounding from an Achilles tear that he sustained Oct. 29, remains locked in as the Falcons' No. 1 QB for the foreseeable future. Regarding that topic, GM Terry Fontenot noted Thursday, "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We're very excited about Kirk, very excited about this team. (With) Michael Penix we're talking about the future. The draft is you look at the future and you look at big picture." In terms of his…read more

Aiming to be 100 percent by June

Cousins (Achilles) said Wednesday during his introductory news conference with the Falcons that he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" by the end of the offseason program in June, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Analysis: Considering Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon Oct. 29 during a Week 8 win at Green Bay, he may be hard-pressed to be completely healthy once Atlanta completes mandatory minicamp. More realistically, he'll be able to handle most of the first-team reps during training camp and even get some run in the preseason as he transitions to the third team of his career. When he's healthy, Cousins will have ample skill talent at his disposal in the form of running backs Bijan Robinson and…read more

Signing with Atlanta

Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year contract with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney at Vayner Sports.

Analysis: The Falcons were rumored to represent Minnesota's strongest competition for the 35-year-old QB and apparently won the bidding within the first three hours of the free-agent negotiating period. Cousins can't sign a contract until Wednesday afternoon, and it might take a bit longer than that to become official given the possible complication of his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury is less of a concern for a pocket passer than for other NFL players, but it may nonetheless impact…read more

Ready to talk contract with Atlanta

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to begin negotiating with the Falcons when the legal tampering period begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Rumors have connected the two parties for the past couple weeks, and it sounds like the Falcons may be willing to outbid the Vikings for Cousins' services. It's also possible the Vikings up their offer in the presence of a real threat, and Cousins may even give the team an opportunity to match any offer he receives. Whatever the case, Atlanta needs to be taken seriously as a contender for Cousins' services. His presence under center would be a huge fantasy boost for WR Drake London and TE Kyle…read more

Expected to test open market

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to test the free-agent market this week, though his agent and the Vikings remain in contact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: "The Vikings are still in this," Pelissero added. But the Falcons and Broncos were two teams mentioned as possible destinations should Cousins ultimately leave Minnesota. Teams are permitted to speak with free agents from other teams starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday. Cousins is expected to command a contract that averages more than $40 million per year.

Encouraged by progress

Cousins, who is recovering from a torn right Achilles' tendon, posted a video Monday which showed him backpedaling and throwing recently in an indoor tennis facility, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Cousins, whose 2023 season came to an end when he sustained the season-ending injury Oct. 29, noted in his social media post that he was "encouraged by the progress" he's made thus far. He's eligible to become a free agent next month and said earlier in February that he's on track with his recovery and expects to participate in OTAs and minicamp this spring. According to Seifert, the Vikings and Cousins have mutual interest in a reunion, but for now, the 35-year-old profiles as the best…read more

Ahead of schedule

Cousins (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery and should resume throwing within the next month or so, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Cousins had surgery on his torn Achilles' tendon Nov. 1 and isn't likely to participate in spring practices even if he resumes throwing soon. He does seem better equipped than most football players to rebound from the injury, considering he's a pocket-based QB who has averaged just 6.6 rushing yards per game in six seasons with the Vikings. Cousins' rehab from surgery will actually be a secondary storyline this offseason, as he's scheduled for unrestricted free agency and not considered a lock…read more

Gets cast removed

Cousins (Achilles) announced Tuesday via social media that he had the cast removed from his right foot, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Cousins will ditch the cast just under two weeks after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon. The 35-year-old quarterback will face a lengthy rehab process, but he could receive full medical clearance in time for training camp, if not OTAs. Whether Cousins will be taking part in offseason work with the Vikings or another team is up in the air, as he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Undergoes successful surgery

Cousins announced Wednesday via social media that he underwent successful surgery to repair his torn right Achilles' tendon.

Analysis: Cousins is already on the road to recovery after having suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during Sunday's win over the Packers. According to The Athletic, full healing of an Achilles' tendon typically takes about 4-to-6 months, and given his age, the 35-year-old quarterback could need more time beyond that period before he's cleared for high-impact football activities. In any case, Cousins should have a chance at being ready to go when NFL training camps open next July, but as a pending…read more

Goes to IR

The Vikings placed Cousins (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Analysis: The transaction is merely a formality, as an MRI confirmed Monday that Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over Green Bay, ending the quarterback's season. According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell added that Cousins is slated to undergo surgery later this week, but assuming the 35-year-old has no complications with his procedure, he could be ready for full football activities when NFL training camps open next July.…read more

Achilles tear confirmed

The Vikings announced Monday that Cousins will miss the rest of the season after an MRI confirmed that he tore his right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over the Packers.

Analysis: The news come as little surprise, as multiple reports suggested that Cousins suffered an Achilles tear shortly after he exited in the fourth quarter with the injury. A timeline and details for Cousins' surgery will be determined later this week, but the 35-year-old will be done for the season and may not be guaranteed to be back to 100 percent health for NFL training camps next summer. Jaren Hall replaced Cousins late in Sunday's game, but the Vikings haven't determined whether the rookie…read more

May have Achilles tear

Cousins suffered an apparent torn Achilles during Sunday's 24-10 win at Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cousins limped to the sideline with 10:30 left in the fourth quarter unable to put any weight on his right foot and was quickly ruled out. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cousins is slated for an MRI to determine the exact nature of the injury, but if the expected diagnosis is confirmed, he'll miss the remainder of the campaign. With Nick Mullens (back) needing to remain on injured reserve for at last one more game, rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall could be in line for his first career start…read more

Exits with ankle injury

Cousins won't return to Sunday's game against the Packers after exiting in the fourth quarter with an apparent right ankle injury.

Analysis: Cousins hobbled off the field with 10:30 remaining in the game and didn't appear to be putting any weight on his right foot after he was taken down by Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark on a third-down play. He headed to the Vikings' medical tent on the sideline for evaluation before being quickly carted to the locker room and ruled out for the day. He'll finish the Week 8 contest with 23 completions on 31 attempts for 274 yards and two touchdowns to go with nine rushing yards on two carries.…read more

Standout performance in upset win

Cousins completed 35 of 45 passes for 378 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on two rushes.

Analysis: After a lackluster showing in his first game without Justin Jefferson (hamstring, IR) in Week 6 against the Bears, Cousins exploded for one of the best performances of his career considering the caliber of matchup. The veteran averaged a robust 8.4 yards per attempt while displaying particularly impressive chemistry with rookie Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson. The duo finished on the receiving end of 18 of Cousins' completions and compiled 209 yards in the process. Meanwhile,…read more

Modest showing sans Jefferson

Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 181 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in the Vikings' 19-13 win over the Bears on Sunday. He also rushed twice for minus-5 yards and committed two fumbles, losing one.

Analysis: Cousins unsurprisingly bore little resemblance to the prolific performer he's often been with Justin Jefferson (IR-hamstring) available, but the veteran signal-caller was able to do just enough to help the Vikings squeeze out a close victory. In Jefferson's absence, Cousins spread the ball around to six different targets, and his fumble on a late second-quarter sack didn't lead to any Bears points. Cousins will likely acclimate to Jefferson's absence a bit more by the week, but he'll draw an…read more

Expected to stick with Vikings

Cousins is expected to remain with the Vikings for the rest of the 2023 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cousins is not expected to waive his full no-trade clause, so even if the Vikings wanted to move him it may not be possible. Speculation has been abound about his future with the team, as he is in the final year of his current contract and Minnesota is 1-4 entering Week 6 -- three games out of first place. Adding in the absence of Justin Jefferson (hamstring), it's starting to look like a longshot for the team to make a run at the postseason. Nevertheless, Cousins appears set to play out his…read more

Tosses two TDs in Sunday's loss

Cousins completed 29 of 47 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-20 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: Despite playing the fourth quarter without Justin Jefferson (hamstring), Cousins still tossed multiple TDs for the fifth straight game to begin the season, hitting rookie Jordan Addison for a five-yard strike just before halftime before finding Alexander Mattison on a nine-yard screen early in the fourth. Cousins very nearly connected with Mattison for another TD and what would have been the tying score late in the game, but the running back dropped the pass. Jefferson's status for Week 6…read more

Poor performance in win

Cousins completed 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Sunday's 21-13 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Cousins got off to a brutal start, having an interception returned 99 yards for a touchdown during the first quarter. Although he threw another pick prior to halftime, Cousins at least found star wideout Justin Jefferson for touchdowns from four and 30 yards. After topping 340 yards in each of the first three weeks, Cousins' season-low output Sunday nonetheless didn't prevent Minnesota from winning its first game.

Another admirable effort in loss

Cousins completed 32 of 50 passes for 367 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Cousins reached 50 pass attempts in a game for the sixth time in his career, with Sunday's game marking his second-lowest yardage total in those contests. Nevertheless, it was a good performance that was highlighted by long touchdown strikes of 52 and 36 yards and also included four additional completions of greater than 20 yards. Though the Vikings are 0-3, Cousins has multiple passing scores and has topped 340 yards in all three games to this point.

Four scoring tosses in loss

Cousins completed 31 of 44 passes for 364 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-28 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night. He also lost a fumble.

Analysis: As was the case in a Week 1 upset loss to the Buccaneers four days earlier, Cousins put together an elite fantasy performance in defeat that was only marred by a lost fumble on a sack early in the third quarter that led to an Eagles touchdown. The veteran once again unsurprisingly displayed his greatest chemistry with Justin Jefferson, with whom he connected on 11 occasions for 159 yards. However, Cousins' quartet of scoring tosses went elsewhere, as he hit T.J. Hockenson for a pair of…read more

Stellar numbers in Week 1 loss

Cousins completed 33 of 44 passes for 344 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding three rushes for seven yards in the Vikings' 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also lost two fumbles.

Analysis: The Vikings' day was essentially an ongoing contradiction between the stat sheet and the scoreboard, and Cousins' performance was a fitting microcosm of such. The veteran signal-caller was highly efficient while averaging 7.8 yards per attempt, and his passing yardage total was more than those from all but three of his games from last season. However, Cousins' pair of first-quarter fumbles were each damaging, with the first short-circuiting a drive that had reached the Buccaneers' 26-yard line…read more

Not likely to see action Thursday

Cousins isn't likely to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Seahawks, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis: Goessling suggests that the Vikings are unlikely to play many established players versus Seattle, with Cousins and Justin Jefferson likely to be spectators Thursday. Assuming that's the case, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall will be available to handle the team's quarterback reps.

Not expecting new contract

Cousins said Wednesday that he doesn't expect to discuss a new contract with the Vikings until next offseason, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports.

Analysis: Cousins is in the final season of his contract and said he wants to finish his career in Minnesota, but the Vikings seemingly want to take it year by year at this point rather than making another long-term commitment. His passing efficiency stats dropped last season in his first year under coach Kevin O'Connell, with a career-high 643 attempts somewhat allowing the QB to make up for it from a fantasy standpoint. Cousins turns 35 in August and should get plenty of volume again after the Vikings…read more

Not committed beyond 2023

The Vikings aren't committed to Cousins beyond 2023, as his recent restructure pushes more of the cap hit to future years without changing the length of the contract, Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis: The team used void years rather than an extension, but another contract could still happen next offseason or even later this year. While the Vikings hope to find a young quarterback to develop behind their 34-year-old, long-time starter, there's no guarantee of finding the right player this spring or next, especially without the luxury of an early first-round pick. Minnesota's offense largely looks the same as last year through the first few days of the 2023 league year, with the exception of…read more

Plays well in playoff loss

Cousins completed 31 of 39 pass attempts for 273 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-24 wild-card round loss to the Giants. He also punched in a one-yard touchdown on his lone rushing attempt.

Analysis: Cousins was dialed in throughout the contest, providing strong numbers for fantasy lineups despite taking the loss. The veteran signal-caller's day soured on the Vikings' final drive when he targeted a covered receiver for three yards on 4th-and-8, effectively turning the ball over and ending Minnesota's Super Bowl hopes. The 34-year-old finished the regular season with 4,547 passing yards and a 29:14 TD:INT ratio, numbers that should keep him ranked in the upper third of fantasy quarterbacks…read more

Makes abbreviated appearance

Cousins completed 17 of 20 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-13 win over the Bears.

Analysis: Cousins' output came despite him only playing the first half of Sunday's game. With Minnesota preparing for the playoffs, backup Nick Mullens filled in while Cousins was rested after halftime. In the wake of a poor performance in Green Bay last weekend, Cousins' improvement Sunday -- when he set a season high for completion percentage -- should help his confidence heading into the postseason.

May not play full game

Head coach Kevin O'Connell intimated Friday that Cousins and other key starters on offense and defense may not play the entirety of the Vikings' Week 18 game in Chicago, Joe Nelson of SI.com reports. "We've got a pretty clear cut plan with how we want to go about the whole game, but we're going to go in with the expectation of our guys going and try to get off to a good start and play good football," O'Connell said.

Analysis: Minnesota is assured no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs regardless of how this weekend's games transpire, but since the Vikings will need a win over the Bears plus a Cardinals win over the heavily-favored 49ers to climb to the No. 2 seed, O'Connell may not have much incentive to expose key players to an injury heading into the wild-card round. While Cousins and all of the Vikings' other starting skill-position players look poised to play at least one series, the uncertainty of…read more

Three picks in Sunday's loss

Cousins completed 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers. He added 37 rushing yards on three carries.

Analysis: It was a rough day for the entire Vikings offense at Lambeau Field, as Cousins lost two offensive linemen to injury during the game and had little time or space in which to operate. He was replaced by Nick Mullens late in the rout, as the Vikings prioritized keeping Cousins healthy ahead of the playoffs, and with nothing but seeding to play for in Week 18 against the Bears, it wouldn't be surprising if Mullens got the start.

Another big effort in win

Cousins completed 34 of 48 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Giants.

Analysis: While the veteran QB didn't quite manage to throw for 400 yards, or even 300, for a third straight game, Cousins still tossed three more touchdowns, giving him a 13:3 TD:INT over the last five contests. He's reached 4,000 passing yards for the third straight season and the seventh time in the last eight years, and Cousins will take massive momentum into a Week 17 clash with the Packers.

Four TDs in 33-point comeback

Cousins completed 34 of 54 passes for 460 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday's 39-36 overtime win over the Colts.

Analysis: Everything that could go wrong did for the Vikings as they fell behind 33-0 in the first half, including a Cousins pick-six. In the third quarter, Cousins connected with K.J. Osborn for a 63-yard gain and a two-yard touchdown to get Minnesota on the board with the first of three consecutive Vikings touchdown drives. Cousins capped the third of those drives with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson before derailing the following possession with his second interception. The veteran…read more

Racks up numbers in loss

Cousins completed 31 of 41 passes for 425 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Analysis: While his numbers are largely the result of the Vikings trailing from the second quarter on, fantasy managers will naturally take the season-high yardage total and seventh multi-touchdown effort of the campaign. Cousins most frequently connected with Justin Jefferson as customary, with the star receiver bringing in 11 of his completions for 223 yards. Despite the disappointing loss, the Vikings are 10-3 and still in the driver's seat for the NFC North crown, and Cousins will aim to get them…read more

Manages Vikings to victory

Cousins completed 21 of 35 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Jets.

Analysis: Cousins struggled significantly against the tough Jets' defense and was held to only 4.9 yards per attempt. However, he limited mistakes -- he didn't turn the ball over -- and threw a key touchdown to Justin Jefferson from 10 yards away midway through the fourth quarter. Though the Vikings have had plenty of team-level success on the campaign, Cousins has now failed to throw for multiple scores in three of his last four games.

Productive in Week 12 win

Cousins completed 30 of 37 passes for 299 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots on Thursday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on one rush attempt.

Analysis: Cousins rose to the challenge against a tough Patriots defense, following his forgettable 105-yard performance against the Cowboys four days prior. The veteran signal-caller opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson to cap off the first possession of the game before subsequently hitting T.J. Hockenson and Adam Thielen for additional touchdown tosses in the second and fourth quarter, respectively. The latter closed out a clutch six-play, 71-yard march that ended up…read more

Pulled in blowout loss

Cousins completed just 12 of 23 pass attempts for 105 yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 40-3 blowout loss to Dallas.

Analysis: Cousins was harassed by the Cowboys pass rush from start to finish, resulting in seven sacks for a collective loss of 49 yards Sunday. The offensive line stood no chance against Micah Parsons and company, and the team lost starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion) to add insult to literal injury. Cousins was pulled for the fourth quarter of this lopsided loss, and Nick Mullens finished the contest with the rest of the backups. Things won't get any easier for the veteran Cousins with…read more

Tops 350 yards in OT win

Cousins completed 30 of 50 passing attempts for 357 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while rushing six times for 12 yards in Sunday's 33-30 overtime win over the Bills.

Analysis: Cousins opened the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, but Minnesota proceeded to fall into a 27-10 hole before Cousins led them back. He was stuffed on a 4th-and-goal rushing attempt inside the one-yard line in the final minute, but Buffalo fumbled the snap on the next play and Minnesota's defense recovered for the go-ahead touchdown. Cousins then engineered the go-ahead drive in overtime while flashing brilliant chemistry with Jefferson, who accounted for 193 of…read more

Strong showing in close win

Cousins completed 22 of 40 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday. He also netted minus-2 yards on two rush attempts.

Analysis: Cousins put together his fourth 250-yard-plus tally in the last six games while helping snap his old squad's three-game winning streak in his first game back in the nation's capital. The veteran signal-caller did get the wind knocked out of him following a 47-yard completion to Justin Jefferson early in the fourth quarter, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but he ultimately missed just one play. Cousins now has a 5:0 TD:INT in his last three games going into an unenviable Week…read more

Three total TDs in win

Cousins completed 24 of 36 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 22 yards and another score and lost a fumble.

Analysis: Cousins had one of his trademark efficient efforts, averaging a modest 6.4 yards per attempt against a Cardinals defense that had done a good job of limiting the production of top receivers this season. The veteran was under a fair amount of duress and took three sacks overall, one of which resulted in a fumble at his own 24-yard line that helped lead to an Arizona field goal. However, he made up for it with touchdown passes of one and five yards to Johnny Mundt and K.J. Osborn, respectively,…read more

Two touchdowns in win

Cousins completed 20 of 30 passes for 175 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 24-16 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. He also netted minus-5 yards on two carries.

Analysis: Cousins stayed away from turnovers, but he also averaged just 5.8 yards per attempt and took three sacks. A significant chunk of his yardage tally came on a 47-yard pass to Justin Jefferson late in the third quarter that set up a two-yard touchdown toss to Adam Thielen two plays later. Cousins' other scoring connection came with Irv Smith from one yard out in the second quarter, and he's now posted a trio of two-touchdown efforts in his first six games in new head coach Kevin O'Connell's…read more

Totals two touchdowns

Cousins completed 32 of 41 passes for 296 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 29-22 win over the Bears. He also rushed four times for four yards and another score.

Analysis: Cousins was especially efficient targeting top wideout Justin Jefferson, who finished with another monster performance of 12 catches for 154 yards. While Jefferson's production accounted for over half of Cousins' passing yards, the signal-caller also notched a pair of one-yard touchdowns. First, he gave Jalen Reagor a push pass to score in the second quarter, before sneaking in himself to take the lead in the fourth. In doing so, Cousins helped the Vikings secure first place in the NFC North,…read more

Mediocre in victory

Cousins completed 25 of 38 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Saints.

Analysis: Cousins moved the Vikings' offense effectively throughout the game but regularly stalled in the red zone. He managed his lone touchdown of the game midway through the first quarter on a 15-yard connection with Alexander Mattison. Cousins also regularly found Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen for solid gains, though his production was ultimately capped by his inability to finish drives. More positively, Cousins has managed at least 260 passing yards in three of four games to begin the season.

Two touchdowns in victory

Cousins completed 24 of 41 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Cousins was forced to focus on his peripheral options as the Lions defensive game plan was to keep the ball out of Justin Jefferson's hands. He took advantage, finding Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn for touchdowns of one and 28 yards, respectively. Cousins averaged only 6.3 yards per attempt, so he wasn't particularly efficient. However, he bounced back from a poor Week 2 performance and has managed at least 260 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in two of three games on the campaign.

Takes step back in Week 2

Cousins completed 27 of 46 attempts for 221 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions and rushed twice for 20 yards in the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles on Monday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Minnesota.

Analysis: In contrast to a stellar first full game in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense in Week 1, Cousins slogged through a messy performance that saw him short-circuit drives at the goal line, the Eagles' 13-yard line and the end zone, the final pick occurring with 7:07 remaining and snuffing out any possibility of a comeback for Minnesota. Cousins threw his one touchdown to Irv Smith in the second quarter, and he continued to focus heavily on Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen to the tune of 10…read more

Throws two touchdowns

Cousins completed 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.

Analysis: Cousins leaned heavily on star wideout Justin Jefferson, finding him nine times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. It was an efficient outing from the signal-caller, and he played a clean game in new coach Kevin O'Connell's debut. Cousins will strive to keep his squad's early-season momentum going in Week 2 versus the Eagles.

Next start will be in Week 1

Cousins is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos.

Analysis: Cousins is one of 33 players the team announced as not slated to play in the contest, a group that included all of Minnesota's top skill players. Cousins' next start will occur in Week 1 against the Packers, with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn set to serve as his top options at wideout out of the gate this season.

Doesn't expect to play in preseason finale

Cousins doesn't expect to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Broncos, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis: Supporting the notion that Cousins will be held out of the contest is that coach Kevin O'Connell doesn't expect many, if any, of Minnesota's starters to play versus Denver. In that context, Sean Mannion, Kellen Mond and Nick Mullens would be the team's QB options Saturday.

Not playing Saturday

Cousins and most other starters are not expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against the 49ers.

Analysis: The list also includes RB Dalvin Cook and each of the team's top three wide receivers (Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn). With Cousins out, Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond are Minnesota's two options under center.

Cleared to practice

Cousins (illness) was cleared to return to practice Wednesday after having missed the Vikings' preseason opener against the Raiders due to a positive COVID-19 test, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Cousins spent five days away from the team after testing positive for the virus, but he's now cleared the necessary protocols. His symptoms were reportedly minimal during his time away from the team. The veteran signal-caller is expected to immediately resume handling first-team reps for the Vikings, and he's back on the field in time to get some scrimmage work against the 49ers in the two teams' joint practices this week. Whether Cousins will take the field during the Vikings' second preseason…read more

Won't play Sunday

Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Friday that Cousins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Analysis: With Cousins unavailable for the contest, Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond will handle the team's QB duties versus Las Vegas on Sunday, while O'Connell noted that "no matter who starts, they'll both play a ton." Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Cousins, who is reportedly dealing with minimal symptoms, could return to the field as early as Tuesday.

Sent home Thursday

Cousins wasn't feeling well Thursday and was sent home by the Vikings, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: At this stage, it's not clear how long the QB will be away from the team, with Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press relaying via coach Kevin O'Connell that it remains to be seen if Cousins will be available to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Agrees to one-year extension

Cousins signed a one-year, $35 million contract extension with the Vikings on Sunday.

Analysis: Cousins drew some trade interest during the offseason as several other veteran quarterbacks were dealt recently, but he'll remain under contract with Minnesota through the 2023 season on a deal that includes a no-trade clause. His $35 million salary is fully guaranteed and will free up nearly $14 million in cap room for the Vikings heading into free agency. The 33-year-old completed 372 of 561 passes for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing 29 times for 115 yards and…read more

Gets vote of confidence from new HC

New Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that he anticipates that Cousins will be a part of the team's plans in 2022, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Analysis: Cousins is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings and has been linked to trade rumors early in the offseason, in part because of the $45 million cap hit that the deal carries in 2022. However, he's been a consistent player under center across his first four seasons in Minnesota, as he's passed for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of those years while throwing no more than 13 interceptions in any season. O'Connell previously worked with Cousins when he was the…read more

Three touchdowns in return

Cousins completed 14 of 22 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Bears.

Analysis: Cousins returned from a one-game absence while on the reserve/COVID-19 list to end the season on a strong note. He led an impressive comeback, tossing three lengthy touchdowns that went for 44, 45 and 21 yards to three different receivers. Those explosive plays helped Cousins overcome a lack of volume, as his 22 pass attempts were his fewest on the campaign. Though Cousins is highly scrutinized, he's now reached 30 passing touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards in three of his last four seasons.

Returns from COVID-19 list

Minnesota activated Cousins (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, shortly after head coach Mike Zimmer said the quarterback will start Sunday's game against Chicago, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Analysis: Cousins will return to the lineup and boost the Week 18 fantasy prospects of his teammates, namely Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Tyler Conklin. Per Zimmer, the Vikings won't make any adjustments to playing time for their key players, despite the team having been eliminated from postseason contention.

In line to return from COVID list

Cousins (illness) is on track to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Analysis: Per head coach Mike Zimmer, Cousins is back at the Vikings' facility Wednesday, which sets the stage for the quarterback to officially come off the list. With that in mind, Zimmer confirmed that Cousins is slated to start against Chicago this weekend.

Officially moves to COVID list

Minnesota placed Cousins on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Analysis: As Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier Friday, Cousins tested positive for the virus and thus will be subject to an automatic five-day isolation period before he's eligible to rejoin the Vikings if asymptomatic. Cousins' move to the reserve/COVID-19 list officially rules him out for Sunday night's matchup with the Packers and paves the way for Sean Mannion -- who was activated from the list Friday -- to pick up his first start as a member of the Vikings. Kellen Mond and Kyle Sloter are on…read more

Tests positive for COVID-19

Cousins tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will be unavailable for Sunday's game against the Packers because he's unvaccinated, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Even with the updated league protocols that include a reduced quarantine period for positive test results, Cousins -- who is in line to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list -- will be out for Sunday's divisional matchup. It's a tough blow for the Vikings, who are one game behind the 49ers and Eagles for the final two playoff spots in the NFC. Kellen Mond and Kyle Sloter currently are the quarterbacks available on Minnesota's roster for this weekend, unless Sean Mannion (illness) is able to return…read more

Throws for 315 yards against Rams

Cousins completed 27 of 38 passes for 315 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: The Vikings were playing from behind for nearly the entire game, which allowed Cousins to rack up plenty of volume. He connected on four completions that went for over 20 yards with Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Adam Thielen (ankle). The result was only his third game with 300 or more passing yards in his last nine starts. Despite the gaudy yardage total, Cousins' fantasy production was held back by the fact that he managed to throw for only one touchdown, which came midway through the…read more

Logs full practice Thursday

Cousins (ribs) was a full practice participant Thursday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Analysis: One day removed from logging a rare limited session Wednesday due to a rib issue, Cousins handled every practice rep thrown his way. The Vikings took a hit in the skill positions Thursday when Dalvin Cook (illness) tested positive for COVID-19, while Adam Thielen (ankle) managed a second consecutive LP on the team's injury report. There's a distinct possibility Cousins could be without both Cook -- who won't play Sunday -- and Thielen this weekend against the Rams, leaving Justin Jefferson,…read more

Tending to rib issue

Cousins was a limited participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a rib injury.

Analysis: Cousins rarely misses games, let alone practice reps, so his inclusion on the Vikings' first Week 16 injury report is noteworthy. Still, he managed to mix into some drills and has two more sessions this week to get back to his customary full allotment of reps.

Career-low passing yardage in win

Cousins completed 12 of 24 passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 17-9 win over the Bears on Monday night. He also rushed twice for 10 yards and committed a fumble that was recovered by the Vikings.

Analysis: The ugly stat line sums up how choppy the night was for the Vikings offense, but Cousins prevented a total fantasy washout for managers rolling with him in their postseason matchups by firing touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the first and third quarters, respectively. In fairness to the veteran quarterback, he also endured constant pressure, taking four sacks and getting hit seven times overall. The yardage total was the lowest career figure for Cousins in a…read more

Works around inefficiency, INTs

Cousins completed 14 of 31 passes for 216 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the Vikings' 36-28 win over the Steelers on Thursday night. He also rushed twice for 14 yards.

Analysis: Cousins went into the contest with a sparkling 25:3 TD:INT on the season, along with an impressive 68.4 percent completion rate. Those numbers went by the wayside Thursday in what was a tough matchup against a short-handed but gritty Steelers defense, one that never sacked Cousins but recorded six hits on him and also saddled him with his first multi-interception performance since Week 6 of last season. Cousins did make up for the pair of turnovers with touchdown passes of 14 and 62 yards to…read more

Carves up Detroit secondary

Cousins completed 30 of 40 pass attempts for 340 yards and two touchdowns while losing a fumble in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions.

Analysis: Cousins led what appeared to be a game-winning drive near the end of the fourth quarter, but he was forced to helplessly watch Minnesota's defense cough up the lead as time expired. Despite the embarrassing loss to the no-longer win-less Lions, Cousins was able to continue his recent trend of premier play from the pocket. The 32-year-old is quietly stringing together one of his finest seasons as a pro, completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,353 yards and a sparkling 25:3 TD:INT ratio through…read more

Falls short in San Francisco

Cousins completed 20 of 32 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in Sunday's 34-28 loss to the 49ers.

Analysis: He hit Adam Thielen for a pair of first-half scores, but the Vikings' passing game fell quiet in the second half and Cousins couldn't put together a game-tying drive during a scoreless fourth quarter. The 33-year-old QB has tossed multiple touchdowns in four straight games, a streak he'll look to extend -- albeit with better results -- in Week 13 against the Lions.

Stays hot in home victory

Cousins completed 24 of 35 pass attempts for 341 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-31 win over Green Bay.

Analysis: Cousins went into a matchup that can be challenging for opposing quarterbacks and excelled while leading his team to a surprising victory. The 33-year-old has been on a roll of late, completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,379 yards with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions over his last five contests. Cousins will look to keep his momentum rolling next Sunday against a San Francisco squad that is very thin in the secondary.

Strong effort in road win

Cousins completed 25 of 37 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers.

Analysis: Both scores were caught by Tyler Conklin, but Cousins' favorite target on the day was Justin Jefferson, who hauled in nearly 50 percent of the quarterback's passing yards. It's the sixth time in nine games Cousins has tossed multiple TDs, and he'll take a sharp 18:2 TD:INT into a Week 11 clash with the Packers.

Three total TDs in loss

Cousins completed 17 of 28 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-31 overtime loss to the Ravens on Sunday. He also scored a one-yard touchdown on his only rush attempt.

Analysis: Cousins didn't take a single sack and stayed away from turnovers altogether, but he still turned in an underwhelming effort from a yardage perspective against what had been an inconsistent secondary. Nevertheless, he delivered for fantasy managers with his three total touchdowns, with the two through the air going to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen from 50 and one yard out in the first and fourth quarters, respectively. Cousins has been under 200 passing yards in two straight games and will…read more

Harassed by DAL defense

Cousins completed 23 of 35 pass attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: Cousins only took one sack Sunday, but he seemed to be under constant pressure from the Cowboys' pass rush throughout the contest. This resulted in shorter throws from the veteran arm (5.3 yards per attempt), and some miscommunications with his receivers, as evidenced by his visible frustration at the end of multiple stalled drives. Cousins had been performing at a high level prior to Sunday's rough showing, and he will get a golden opportunity to get things back on track in a tasty matchup…read more

Strong showing in OT win

Cousins completed 33 of 48 pass attempts for 373 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-28 overtime win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Cousins was brilliant against a Panthers defense that is no pushover. Having a healthy Dalvin Cook back certainly helped ease the opponent's defensive focus away from the passing attack, which could bode well for the veteran arm if his star back can stay healthy following the team's upcoming bye. Cousins will head into said bye with a strong start to the season overall, producing three 300-plus yard and four multi-touchdown games, all while completing over two-thirds of his passes through six…read more

Solid, yet unspectacular in win

Cousins completed 25 of 34 pass attempts for 275 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 19-17 win over Detroit.

Analysis: Cousins turned in a fantasy performance that can't be complained about, nor celebrated, as it was spectacularly average across the board. It was a step in the right direction for the veteran arm, who turned in a dud against the Browns last game. Cousins will enter next week's tilt against the Cowboys with a solid 10:2 TD:INT ratio through five games.

Underwhelming effort in loss

Cousins completed 20 of 38 passes for 203 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Vikings' 14-7 loss to the Browns on Sunday. He also rushed twice for no gain.

Analysis: Cousins appeared primed for another big day akin to his Week 3 performance against the Seahawks when he led the Vikings on a 14-play, 75-yard opening drive that he capped off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. However, that would essentially prove to be the high point of the veteran quarterback's day, as he was subsequently sacked twice, picked off once and victimized by inaccuracy and tight coverage on the part of the Browns secondary. Cousins' lackluster showing naturally…read more

Carves up Seattle in Week 3 win

Cousins completed 30 of 38 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 30-17 win over the Seahawks.

Analysis: He also gained two yards on his lone carry. Cousins has no trouble picking apart the Seahawks' secondary and for the second straight game found three different targets in the end zone, this time connecting with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Tyler Conklin for scores. Cousins will take an eye-popping 73.9 percent completion rate and 8:0 TD:INT into a Week 4 home tilt against the Browns.

Tosses three TDs in loss

Cousins completed 22 of 32 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 34-33 loss to the Cardinals.

Analysis: He also added 35 rushing yards on two carries. Cousins was efficient all afternoon, hitting K.J. Osborn, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson for scores in the first half, and he had the Vikings in position to kick a game-winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter, but Greg Joseph missed from 37 yards out. Cousins has looked very good through two games but has two narrow road losses to show for it, a streak he'll look to snap in Week 3 at home against the Seahawks.

Tops 350-yard mark in OT loss

Cousins completed 36 of 49 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals.

Analysis: Cousins connected with reliable target Adam Thielen for touchdowns of five and 24 yards, then helped erase a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter by setting up a Dalvin Cook rushing touchdown and Greg Joseph's game-tying 53-yard field goal as time expired. The veteran quarterback saw plenty of volume in a game that lasted nearly 70 minutes before Dalvin Cook's fumble set up the Bengals' game-winning field goal. Cousins will likely take to the air aplenty again in Week 2 against Arizona.

Plays three drives

Cousins completed five of seven passes for 57 yards in Friday night's 28-25 preseason loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Cousins once again played three drives, leading the Vikings to a field goal out of the gate before the Vikings were forced to punt twice. The signal-caller was without starting wideouts Justin Jefferson (shoulder) and Adam Thielen (thigh), and instead showed a good rapport with tight end Irv Smith, who caught both his targets for 39 yards. With the preseason now in the books, Cousins will look forward to having all his weapons available ahead of Week 1's matchup against the Bengals.

Could play Friday night

Coach Mike Zimmer said his plan for Friday's preseason game against the Chiefs will be similar to last week, suggesting Cousins and other starters could get a quarter or so of playing time, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official website reports.

Analysis: Cousins completed five of seven passes for 23 yards in last week's preseason loss to the Colts, failing to produce any points on three drives while playing into the second quarter. He may be throwing to a crew of backups if he suits up Friday night, as Justin Jefferson (shoulder) and Adam Thielen (thigh) are still banged up, while Dalvin Cook could be rested even if most other starters play.

Directs three drives Saturday

Cousins completed five of seven passes for 23 yards and had a nine-yard carry during Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Cousins was without Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson (shoulder), and coach Mike Zimmer revealed after the game that Adam Thielen has a bruised thigh, the result of a knee to the region early in the contest, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Considering the bad injury luck for the Vikings' skill positions this month, it wouldn't surprise if the team takes every precaution to reach Week 1 with the aforementioned quartet all healthy and available. As a result, Cousins' exhibition…read more

Expected to play Saturday

Cousins and many starters will play in Saturday's preseason game against Indianapolis, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis: Head coach Mike Zimmer said he didn't have a set number of plays for Cousins or the starting offense, so he could see more than a series or two of action.

Won't play Saturday

Cousins won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: The Vikings will hold out 30 players, including Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook and WRs Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Coach Mike Zimmer likely will give his starters some run in the second and/or third preseason game, but it may be just a few drives.

Returning to practice

Cousins has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list for Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: As expected, Cousins will rejoin his teammates after missing five days. He was a close contact of rookie QB Kellen Mond, who tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend and remains out of action Thursday. The third-round pick may eventually be a threat to Cousins, but the 33-year-old is safe for the time being and even has guaranteed base salaries for the final two years (2021-22) of his contract.

Likely to return Thursday

Head coach Mike Zimmer said he expects Cousins (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) to return to the Vikings' facilities Thursday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Cousins was merely a close contact of Kellen Mond -- who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday -- and didn't catch the virus himself. Once the Vikings activate Cousins from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the quarterback room will inch closer to full health, with only Mond out of commission for another five days, at least.

Going through COVID-19 protocols

Cousins (undisclosed) is unavailable while going through the COVID-19 protocols, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Analysis: Kellen Mond tested positive for the virus, so it appears Cousins is sidelined as a close contact until he clears the protocols. Nate Stanley (undisclosed) is also caught up in the protocols, leaving Jake Browning to take all the reps at quarterback for the immediate future.

Facing crucial year for future

This could be a make-or-break season for Cousins with the Vikings, according to Arif Hasan of The Athletic.

Analysis: Cousins has thrown 91 touchdowns against 29 interceptions in his three years with the Vikings, but he's reached the playoffs just once and has a .543 winning percentage in the regular season. While a poor defense was the bigger problem in Minnesota last year, the team's selection of QB Kellen Mond at 66th overall in the 2021 draft suggests Cousins could be in trouble if he doesn't reach the playoffs this season. His two-year contract includes fully guaranteed base salaries in 2021 ($21 million)…read more

Posts four-TD performance

Cousins completed 28 of 40 pass attempts for 405 yards and three touchdowns, adding a one-yard TD run during Sunday's 37-35 win against the Lions.

Analysis: Cousins' Vikings have missed the postseason for the second time in three years; however, the 32-year-old went on a statistical tear during the latter half of 2020. The $84 million man composed a 12:10 TD:INT over his first seven outings of the year, while the team stumbled to a 2-5 start. Weeks 9 through 17, Cousins registered an uber-efficient 23:3 TD:INT, posting six three-TD passing performances in the span of nine weeks while leading his team to a 5-4 mark. On Sunday he found three…read more

Strong numbers in loss

Cousins completed 27 of 41 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 52-33 loss to the Saints on Friday. He also committed a fumble that was recovered by the offense.

Analysis: Facing one of the best turnover-forcing defensive units in the league, Cousins was able to refrain from giving the ball away, a relatively rare feat for the veteran signal-caller. He actually put together an impressive performance that would have been good enough to topple many teams, had he gotten a better performance from the Vikings defense. The 32-year-old has now tossed multiple touchdowns in seven of the last eight games, an excellent stretch that's made him one of the best and most…read more

Pair of TD passes in loss

Cousins completed 24 of 35 passes for 271 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 33-27 loss to the Bears on Sunday. He also committed a fumble, but it was recovered by the offense.

Analysis: Cousins took another three sacks and was hit a whopping 11 times overall, but he hung tough and gave the Vikings a chance to win until failing to connect on a Hail Mary from the Bears' 33-yard line with seven seconds remaining. The veteran signal-caller hit Adam Thielen and Tyler Conklin for his two scoring passes, but he enjoyed his greatest degree of chemistry with Justin Jefferson, finding the rookie on eight occasions for 104 yards. Cousins has now thrown for at least Sunday's yardage total…read more

Under siege in loss

Cousins completed 24 of 37 passes for 225 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the Vikings' 26-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also gained 41 yards on five rushes, threw a two-point conversion pass and committed two fumbles, losing one.

Analysis: Cousins had a busy afternoon with the game progressively getting away from the Vikings, but even with a relatively elevated 37 attempts, he had a difficult time consistently connecting with top targets Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Part of the reason was a relentless Buccaneers pass rush, which dropped Cousins on six occasions and hit him 12 times overall. The veteran signal-caller connected with tight end Irv Smith for his one scoring toss from 14 yards out late in the third quarter, but…read more

Three TDs after slow start

Cousins completed 28 of 43 passes for 305 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over the Jaguars. He added 12 yards on three carries and lost a fumble.

Analysis: Cousins avoided a first-half shutout with a three-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen 2:50 before halftime. He threw a pick-six on the first play of the second half but rebounded on the ensuing drive, which Cousins capped with a 12-yard score to C.J. Ham. Cousins' Jekyll-and-Hyde performance continued on the next two drives, which ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson followed by his fumble on a bad exchange with running back Dalvin Cook on Jacksonville's one-yard line. While the…read more

Tosses trio of scores sans Thielen

Cousins completed 34 of 45 passes for 307 yards with three touchdowns, a two-point conversion pass and no interceptions in the Vikings' 28-27 win over the Panthers on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 19 yards and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Analysis: Playing without top target Adam Thielen (reserve/COVID-19), Cousins nevertheless managed to put together an excellent fantasy performance and capped off what proved to be a game-winning drive with a clutch 10-yard touchdown pass to Chad Beebe in the closing minute. Cousins also connected with Justin Jefferson for scoring tosses of 12 and 10 yards in the first and fourth quarter, respectively, leading to his fourth consecutive contest with multiple touchdown throws. The veteran signal-caller has…read more

Big numbers in loss

Cousins completed 22 of 30 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: As expected, the Minnesota offense erupted against a Dallas defense that has been among the most generous units in the league this season. Unfortunately, the Vikings defense proved to be even worse. Cousins has been locked in since the team's bye, posting a 9:1 TD:INT over the last four games with a 9.9 YPA, but he could be facing a tougher challenge in Week 12 against a Panthers defense that just shut out the Lions.

Finally wins on Monday night

Cousins completed 25 of 36 passes for 292 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Monday night's 19-13 win over the Bears.

Analysis: Cousins played well while finally winning his first Monday night start in 10 career tries. The veteran began by tossing a 17-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen, and although the wideout dropped a pass that was then intercepted shortly afterward, Cousins went back to him for the game-winning, six-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter. In doing so, Cousins brought his season tally to 17 touchdowns -- nine of which have gone to Thielen -- and is now gifted with a Week 11 matchup against a Cowboys…read more

Makes most of 20 attempts

Cousins completed 13 of 20 pass attempts for 220 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 9 against the Lions.

Analysis: Cousins was limited by game script yet again and has combined to throw only 34 passes in the team's past two games. Even so, he managed his third three-touchdown performance of the season while also racking up 11 yards per attempt. The entire Vikings' offense has benefitted from the return of Dalvin Cook, who has kept the Vikings offense moving and played a significant role on drives that were capped by Cousins' passing scores. Cousins will likely be stuck in another slow-paced matchup in Week…read more

Quiet performance in win

Cousins completed 11 of 14 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-22 win over the Packers.

Analysis: Dalvin Cook did all the work for the Vikings, scoring three rushing TDs before taking a screen pass from Cousins 50 yards for the winning touchdown late in the third quarter. Still, the veteran QB didn't commit any turnovers, just the second time in seven starts this season he's avoided coughing up the ball. Cousins could be a little more involved in Week 9 against a Lions defense that just gave up three passing TDs to Philip Rivers.

Three TDs, but turnovers galore

Cousins went 24-for-36 passing with 343 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions during Sunday's 40-23 loss to the Falcons.

Analysis: The 32-year-old signal-caller got off to a horrific start Sunday, committing three first-half interceptions for the first time in his NFL career. Cousins has logged four multi-TD outings thus far in the 2020 campaign, though he's already committed 11 giveaways. Last season he threw six interceptions across 15 regular-season appearances, but in 2020 he already has 10 through the first six weeks. The 1-5 Vikings get a chance to lick their wounds over the team's bye week, but a Nov. 1 matchup…read more

Two TDS, two turnovers in loss

Cousins completed 27 of 39 pass attempts for 249 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and a lost fumble in Sunday's 27-26 loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: Cousins did his best to keep his team in position for the win, but he eventually fell short to due to a Seattle comeback led by Russell Wilson. The 32-year-old continues to be a fantasy disappointment with 1,132 passing yards and an 8:7 TD:INT ratio through five games despite being surrounded by talented position players. A shoddy offensive line that allowed three sacks and two strip fumbles is part of the cause of thr offense's struggles, as Cousins was constantly met with pressure on five-…read more

Leads team to first win of season

Cousins went 16-for-22 passing with 260 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 31-23 win against the Texans. He added five rushing yards on four attempts.

Analysis: The 32-year-old QB avoided committing a turnover in a game for the first time this season, after he threw an average of two interceptions per game Weeks 1 through 3. Cousins still hasn't eclipsed the 260-yard passing mark in 2020, but at least he has multiple passing TDs in two of his four outings to this point. Next, Cousins will face a Seahawks defense that surrendered 362 combined passing and rushing yards to Miami's Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 4.

Bounces back in Week 3

Cousins completed 16 of his 27 pass attempts for 251 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in Week 3 against Tennessee.

Analysis: Cousins bounced back from an abysmal Week 2 performance for his first three-touchdown effort of the 2020 season. The highlight came on a 71-yard deep throw to rookie Justin Jefferson midway through the second quarter to give the Vikings a 24-12 lead. However, Cousins didn't play mistake-free as he threw two interceptions in the second half -- one on the team's first drive of the third quarter and another as the team was attempting to move down the field for the winning score late in the final…read more

Nightmarish outing against Colts

Cousins completed 11 of 26 pass attempts for 113 yards, throwing three interceptions during Sunday's 28-11 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Indianapolis dominated Minnesota's front five in the pass rush, collecting seven QB hits and three sacks while deflecting nine of Cousins' pass attempts on the afternoon. The 32-year-old signal-caller was capable of putting up decent production against Green Bay last week with his team trailing throughout the second half, as he wrapped up with 259 passing yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota had only four offensive possessions throughout the entirety of the second half Sunday against…read more

Deceptive numbers in Week 1 loss

Cousins completed 19 of 25 passes for 259 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 43-34 loss to the Packers on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 34 yards and threw a two-point conversion pass.

Analysis: Fantasy managers were undoubtedly left mostly satisfied with Cousins' performance, considering he was involved in three scoring plays overall. However, in a real-world football sense, Cousins was less than effective, with his trio of scoring tosses (including his two-point pass) to Adam Thielen all coming in the fourth quarter when the Vikings had little realistic chance to mount a successful comeback. Cousins did average an impressive 10.4 yards per attempt while completing passes of 22, 29…read more

Getting more comfortable

Cousins has displayed increased accuracy as training camp has progressed, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Cousins has a number of incumbent receivers to throw to, most notably Adam Thielen, but the offseason trade of Stefon Diggs to the Bills has opened up a significant number of reps. Rookie first-round pick Justin Jefferson likely is the long-term answer as the No. 2 WR, but 2019 seventh-rounder Bisi Johnson has been working ahead of him so far in camp. During two campaigns with Diggs on board, Cousins completed a healthy 68.7 percent of his passes and averaged 7.5 yards per attempt, marks that…read more

Signs two-year extension

Cousins is signing a two-year contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cousins signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million contract during the 2018 offseason, and the Vikings have seen enough to know that they want him around past 2020. The 31-year-old quarterback has completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 7.5 yards per attempt in a Minnesota uniform, tossing 56 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 31 regular-season games. Cousins will work with a new offensive coordinator in 2020, as the Vikings have promoted Gary Kubiak to replace Kevin Stefanski.

Struggles in San Francisco

Cousins completed 21 of 29 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown with one interception in Saturday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers in the NFC divisional round.

Analysis: The Minnesota offense couldn't get much going either on the ground or through the air against one of the league's elite defenses, and while Cousins was accurate, he had little luck stretching the field aside from a 41-yard TD strike to Stefon Diggs in the first quarter. The 31-year-old QB finished his second regular season with the Vikings having completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,603 yards and a sharp 26:6 TD:INT through 15 games, as well as an 8.1 YPA that was a full yard better than…read more

Throws winning TD pass

Cousins completed 19 of 31 pass attempts for 242 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 26-20 wild-card win over the Saints.

Analysis: Cousins struggled in the early going, taking a back seat as the rushing attack carried the team. He was pressed into action in the second half and in overtime, when he led the team down the field before completing the game-winning touchdown to Kyle Rudolph. The veteran primarily connected with Adam Thielen, who broke off several big gains while piling up 129 yards. Although Cousins came out on top in this one, he didn't exactly light up the scoreboard and could be hard-pressed to do so again in…read more

Active, but likely working as backup

Cousins is active for Sunday's game against the Bears but is expected to serve as the backup to Sean Mannion, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The Vikings haven't officially confirmed that Cousins won't start like he usually does, but with Minnesota already locked in as the NFC's No. 6 seed entering Sunday, there's little incentive for the team to exposing its top quarterback to a potential injury in a meaningless season finale. As Cronin notes, the fact the Vikings have made both of their starting offensive tackles (Riley Reiff and Brian O'Neill) healthy inactives is a sign Cousins will only play in an emergency.

Not expected to play

Cousins and other Vikings starters are expected to be held out of Sunday's game against the Bears, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The Vikings haven't finalized their plans but are reportedly leaning in this direction. Other candidates for rest and/or limited snaps include Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph, along with banged-up running backs Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ankle). Sean Mannion is next up at quarterback, while Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah, Bisi Johnson and Laquon Treadwell are the best bets to take on the vacated carries and targets.

May not start against Chicago

Cousins doesn't know how much he'll play this week against the Bears or whether he'll play at all, the team's official web site reports. "Certainly would love to be able to play well and get a bad taste out of your mouth, and we'll see what ends up being the right call," he said.

Analysis: With the Vikings locked into the No. 6 playoff seed, there's nothing to play for this week against Chicago. Head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't said whether he'll rest his starters and may not announce a decision until kickoff. Cousins is a risky fantasy option as a result. However, the Vikings may play their starters for a quarter or two after a poor offensive performance in last week's loss to Green Bay.

MNF struggles continue

Cousins completed 16 of 31 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Monday's 23-10 loss to Green Bay.

Analysis: Cousins struggled outside of a 21-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs, which put Minnesota ahead 10-3 in the second quarter. He had a would-be 53-yard touchdown to Bisi Johnson in the fourth quarter erased on an offensive holding call and failed to move the offense effectively as he fell to a remarkable 0-9 on Monday Night Football. With seeding still at stake against the Bears in Week 17, Cousins will need to bounce back quickly. Hopefully standout running back Dalvin Cook (chest) will return and…read more

Quiet in blowout victory

Cousins completed 19 of 25 pass attempts for 207 yards, one touchdown, and one interception Sunday against the Chargers, adding 14 rushing yards in the 39-10 victory.

Analysis: Cousins completed 76 percent of his passes while his team's defense and rushing attack allowed him to take a risk-averse approach. He averaged 8.3 yards per attempt and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Irv Smith on the opening possession, but the lopsided nature of the game limited the necessity to pass. Next Monday's game against the Packers should be much more competitive, and with Dalvin Cook (shoulder) potentially sidelined, Cousins could be asked to throw early and often.

Manages Vikings to win

Cousins completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 242 yards and a touchdown in the team's Week 14 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Cousins failed to throw multiple touchdowns for the first time in four contests and attempted just 10 passes in the second half. He made the best of his limited volume, however, averaging 8.1 yards per pass attempt. His performance was highlighted by several long plays, including a 44-yard completion to Stefon Diggs as well as a 36-yard connection with Laquon Treadwell. Cousins draws a matchup against the Chargers in Week 15.

Comes up short in Week 13 loss

Cousins completed 22 of 38 passes for 276 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 37-30 loss to the Seahawks on Monday.

Analysis: Cousins had to make do without the services of Adam Thielen (hamstring) once again, which diluted his options in what turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The veteran quarterback battled through, however, hitting Laquon Treadwell and Kyle Rudolph for touchdown passes of 58 and three yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter to almost spearhead a comeback from a 34-17 deficit. However, Cousins' one error was a costly one, as his interception on the first play of the final period gave the…read more

Leads big comeback

Cousins completed 29 of 35 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday's 27-23 win over Denver. He lost a fumble during the contest.

Analysis: It was a tale of two halves as the Denver defense absolutely harassed Cousins before halftime, but the red-hot passer was able to lead touchdown drives on all four of Minnesota's possessions in the second half. The prettiest was a 54-yard bomb to Stefon Diggs early in the fourth quarter to bring Minnesota to within a score. Cousins sold a beautiful play-action fake, slid way out to his left and found Diggs flying up field. Cousins has been a completely different quarterback since Week 4's loss…read more

Throws for two scores in win

Cousins completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: Cousins was constantly under pressure by the Cowboys' fierce pass rush anytime he would drop back to pass, which is the main reason for a sub-par mark of 6.9 yards per attempt. The veteran signal-caller was able to take what the defense gave him, which were short dump-offs to Dalvin Cook (86 of Cousins' 220 passing yards came on screen or swing passes to his running back). Cousins has quashed media criticism by providing more wins for his club of late, but his last three fantasy performances…read more