Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins got off to a historic start in their Wild Card showdown with the New York Giants on Sunday, putting him in elite company in franchise history.
Cousins scored the team's first touchdown off a short run in the first quarter before throwing for their second TD late in the second. With that, he became the first Vikings player since Daunte Culpepper to have a passing and rushing score in a single playoff game. Culpepper did it way back in 2004 in the divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles, per ESPN Stats & Info.
The 34-year-old Cousins took it to the end zone after getting into the one-yard line in the first quarter. It gave the Vikings the lead, though the Giants fought back and responded with a 14-point run for the lead.
.@kirkcousins8 takes it in!!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/N28TyWY6o7
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 15, 2023
In the second quarter and with the Giants ahead 17-7, it took some time for the Vikings to find the end zone again. With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, however, Cousins perfectly set up KJ Osborn for the touchdown.
That's how you bounce back!@KirkCousins8 @KJ_Osborn
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/74bQ7UqPfZ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 15, 2023
It helped the Vikings cut the Giants' lead to just three heading to halftime, avoiding further falling into a massive hole that might be difficult to come back from even by the comeback kings of the NFL.
It is certainly incredible for Kirk Cousins to replicate a feat not seen in nearly 20 years. Sure enough, however, he would prefer the win over any individual accolade or accomplishment.
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