EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 06: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on October 06, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
After one star receiver called him out and the other apparently wants out, Kirk Cousins is delivering early against the New York Giants.
After last Sunday’s dismal performance against the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen called out the lack of production in the passing game and by connection, quarterback Kirk Cousins. Adding to the drama during the past week, Thielen’s fellow star receiver Stefon Diggs has been the subject of trade rumors he didn’t exactly strongly dismiss.
Early on Sunday against the New York Giants, after apologizing to Thielen in a public forum, Cousins has answered the bell his top two pass targets rang so loudly.
Over the first two drives, resulting in 10 points for the Vikings Cousins went 16-for-18 for 231 yards with a touchdown to Thielen. Of those 11 completions, three went to Thielen and two went to Diggs. Through Cousins first 16 pass attempts, and three scoring drives yielding 13 points, four targets went to Thielen with three targets to Diggs.
The Giants entered Week 5 with the league’s 25th-ranked pass defense (279.5 yards per game), so that’s an important piece of context. But Cousins has been cutting it loss downfield more, averaging 11 yards per attempt on the first three drives after averaging 7.4 yards per attempt over the first four games (6.5 yard per attempt in Week 4).
Minnesota simply has to get more from Cousins going forward. The Giants presented a nice get-right opportunity this week, but he has taken advantage and looked like a capable quarterback who sees the whole field and trusts his receivers to win their individual battles.