Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 24 October 2023

It was a great win against a top team! The team put it together and hung on to get their first win at home. I was impressed with the game plan on offense and the execution by Kirk Cousins and the “other” receivers. I was most impressed with the offensive line. No Vikings lineman allowed more than two quarterback pressures. Kirk Cousins was not sacked once but he was hit 6 times. Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw played great going up against Nick Bosa. To me, that was the story of the game and evidence that Cousins is able to carve up most defenses when given protection no matter who is at receiver.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-7-game-recap-minnesota-vikings-22-san-francisco-49ers-17

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-7-a-statistical-review-of-49ers-vikings-monday-night-football

I have to give a game ball to Charvarius Ward the cornerback (#7) for the 49ers. It was 3rd and 6 with 17 seconds (or so) left in the half and the Vikings had the ball on their own 40. Cousins throws it up to Addison and Ward could easily have batted the ball down but instead tried to intercept it only to have Addison snatch it away from him and take it to the house. Ward is a big dummy!

It does not mean the Vikings would not have still won but it was HUGE!

Since yore last open thread …

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2023 NFL season, Week 7: What We Learned from Vikings’ win over 49ers on Monday night

Give Kirk Cousins his flowers. Cousins has been (often unfairly) maligned as a quarterback who is good enough to give his team a chance to win, but has never been a guy who can go win them a key game. Consider that opinion indefinitely suspended after Monday night. Cousins was fantastic, finishing with a stellar line of 35 of 45, 378 yards, two touchdowns and one interception that was ripped from the grasp of his intended receiver. He routinely found outlets when under pressure, never panicking and avoiding making a crucial mistake. He spread the ball among nine different targets

Minnesota is starting to clean it up. The Vikings began the season 0-4 primarily because they couldn’t get out of their own way. They were the worst team in football when it came to turnover margin (negative-seven). They’re plus-four in turnover margin in their last two games, their defense is allowing just 15 points per game in the last two weeks, and Cousins — who has been good throughout the majority of this season — is finally getting the support he needs.

NFL Research: With 378 passing yards, Kirk Cousins became just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to have 50 career games with 300-plus passing yards in their first 12 seasons.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins ‘fantastic’ in Minnesota’s primetime win over 49ers

“ Kirk Cousins was fantastic tonight in critical moments time after time, progressing, seeing the whole field, and absolutely dialed in in every phase of our game plan,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game, via the official transcript.

Cousins played superbly in every facet, getting the ball out quick and on time, making splash throws when they were available, and spreading the entire field. Cousins finished 35-of-45 passing for 378 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and took zero sacks.

“We have a great quarterback back there and we know we just have to give him a little bit of time,” offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw said. “He’s going to make the play, but when pressure does get on him, he doesn’t back off. He doesn’t fold or flinch; he’s going to make the play.”

“Incredible. Just being able to play with No. 8 and just the trust that he has on his guys to be able to spread the ball,” Hockenson said. “You never know when the balls going to come your way which is incredible on an offense. I’ve been in a few that you know when you’re going to get the ball and you know when you don’t. And in this one you have to go like you’re going to it every time because No. 8 will get back to you. It’s incredible to get to play with him. His demeanor, the way he sits in the pocket, how tough he is, the way he carries himself in the huddle it’s just incredible. He is a guy you want to play for.”

Let us being the coronation! Kwesi may have made a huge mistake by not guaranteeing Cousins the two year extension for 37ish? that he was willing to sign. It is going to be more expensive next offseason and it will be deserved.

Cam Akers says Kirk Cousins is an ‘effin’ dog’ after Vikings upset 49ers in ‘statement’ win for Minnesota

“He’ll tell you,” running back Cam Akers said after the game. “In the middle of the field, I told him, like, ‘Dude, you an effin’ dog. Like, you ballin.’ I haven’t seen many quarterbacks do that — sit in the pocket like that, under pressure, make perfect throws.”

“ Kirk ! Kirk! You think you ever gonna get the grills?”

Cousins hollered back.

“I gotta do it.”

“( Kirk’s had) elite-level play all year,” Metellus said. “He’s just one of those quarterbacks who can get the job done if you give him time, give him opportunities, good play-calling like KO had today. If you put a quarterback like him in that situation, he’s gonna dominate every time.”

Danielle Hunter landing spots: Vikings getting calls about pass rusher as NFL trade deadline nears, per report

This was before the win so it seems like there wont be any trades of players who will be free agents next year. At least not the top players. This great win will convince the team that the “competitive” part of the rebuild is still stronger.

Pros and Cons of Lions Trading for EDGE Danielle Hunter

This was put up two hours ago and is totally ludicrous.

Joe Buck fuels T.J. Hockenson fake injury theory on ‘Monday Night Football’

“We just caught Kevin O’Connell on camera saying ‘T.J. go down,’” ESPN play-by-play announcer Joe Buck said on the “Monday Night Football” broadcast.

“Buying some time,” former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman responded.

This deserves a whole lot of MEH.

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