We've heard it all week leading up to the NFC Wild Card game against the New Orleans Saints. Kirk Cousins can't win a big game. He is 0-9 on Monday night, 6-29 against winning teams in his career, and lost his only playoff start. The Minnesota Vikings were preparing to go to the Superdome where they were given no chance against the Saints. Well, Dalvin Cook started it, the defense set the tone, and Cousins finished it.
The Vikings and Saints did battle for 60 minutes and could not decide a winner. Cook rushed for two scores and Danielle Hunter forced a Drew Brees fumble.
In overtime, it was Kirk Cousins' turn to make an impact. On first-and-10 from the New Orleans' 45-yard line, Cousins dropped an absolute dime to Adam Thielen for 43 yards. This set up the game-winning touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph. Another dime, and yes, it was a good no call by the officials.
The narrative that Cousins cannot win a big game should be officially done after this win.
Kirk Cousins Prevails in the Big Easy
The Saints have been eliminated in some memorable ways over the last two years. First, it was the Minnesota Miracle at the hands of these Vikings. Next, it was the no-call in last season's NFC Championship Game. This season, it was all set up for the Saints.
Drew Brees set the all-time record for passing touchdowns but was outplayed by Kirk Cousins. Michael Thomas set the single-season record for receptions but was held to a modest 70 yards in this one. New Orleans was prepared for another playoff run and they were big favorites over Minnesota. Their unstoppable offense proved stoppable in the Wild Card round.
Cousins finished 19-31 for 242 yards and one touchdown. The key in this performance is that he did not turn the ball over. Cousins has been better taking care of the ball and that will be key moving forward in the playoffs.
The Vikings will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round. Minnesota matches up well with the Niners, and there is a chance that they could win that game. The Vikings will be led by their $84 million quarterback against one of the league's best defenses.
That $84 million contract is the exact reason why Cousins receives criticism, and it is unfair. There are much larger contracts out there given to players who have done less. Cousins is a franchise quarterback and the Vikings knew that when he hit free agency.
This is not to say that the Vikings are going to win the Super Bowl or beat the Niners next week. This is saying that they just went to the toughest stadium in the league to win at and beat a future Hall of Fame quarterback.
And it was because of an extremely clutch drive by Cousins.
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