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Kirk Cousins ​​is not a “problem”


It sounds counter-intuitive, but Kirk Cousins ​​is no problem for the Vikings.

It sounds counter-intuitive, but Kirk Cousins ​​is no problem for the Vikings.
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The Vikings are a good team… on paper. Just looking at their roster, you’d think this team is a perennial playoff team with Super Bowl aspirations, if they could only get past those nasty Packers. However, they were not like that. They haven’t won their league since 2017 and have also reached the knockout stages only once in that span.

Much of the cause for the team’s lack of production during those years was attributed to defender Kirk Cousins. Everyone, whether you’re a casual NFL fan, a die-hard fan or writer for Deadspin, has captured Cousins ​​at one point or another. Hell, even NFL players can’t help but underestimate this guy. How are you rank him below Mac Jones?

While I don’t believe he’s a quarterback of the caliber of the Super Bowl, contrary to what most people seem to believe, Cousins ​​wasn’t the reason his team missed out on the knockout stages. continued in the past two years. His defense is. While I have defended the Vikings defense as it relates to my cousin’s ability to win a Super Bowl in the past, nothing has defended how terrible the Vikings defense will be in 2021. Not only do they allow the fifth most passes and the seventh most javelin, but they’re arguably the least defensive clutch in the NFL this century. Do not believe me?

Since 2000, the Minnesota Vikings of 2021 have scored more points in the final two minutes of the 2nd and 4th half than any other team. In just week 1 of last year, the Vikings surrendered 14 points after a two-minute warning in the first half, then let the goal end the game at the end of the hour in the fourth half. That’s 17 points over a four-minute period, arguably the most important four minutes of the entire game. In their second game, it was ten points. Round 4, 11 points. Then 11 points, eight points, seven points, seven points, seven points, seven points, seven points, 12 points, zero points (somehow), nine points, three points, seven points and eight points to finish. Season. That’s a total of 131 points in 68 minutes for the entire 2021 season. That’s almost two points per minute. It’s shameful.

There were only two weeks all of last year where the Vikings’ defense managed to hold their opponents to zero points in the final two minutes of the first and second half — Week 3 vs Seattle and Week 14 on Football Thursday with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I don’t know what created such terrible play at the end of each half for Vikes, but it’s probably a big reason why both head coach Mike Zimmer and one of the team’s defensive coordinators, Adam Zimmer, were both fired this season.

While I know former head coach and defensive coordinator Andre Patterson is highly respected in the Vikings organization, I actually think it’s good to he is no longer with the team. Patterson attached to Zimmer and dispersed after Zimmer was fired. Now, new head coach Kevin O’Connell can draw all his own guys and deploy his system in no time without any vestiges of Zimmer.

New defensive coordinator Ed Donatell has always been respected by opposing staff and midfielders alike. He’s got two Super Bowl rings, and his Broncos’ are third in allowed points per game (18.9) and second in opponent’s red zone scoring percentage (50%) in 2021. If Minnesota’s defense had those numbers last year… they could have been Super Bowl contenders. We shouldn’t expect them to come up with those numbers in 2022, but even if they improve a bit, they’ll be competing for a playoff spot. Oh, the Broncos also only allow 48 points in the last two minutes of either half in 2021. That’s 36.6% of the points Minnesota allows.

Of course, you could argue that’s because Denver played an easier schedule. Sure, Minnesota had some tough games, but at least they didn’t play in the AFC West. You could argue that Denver’s defense is just more talented. I totally agree with that, but you don’t see the disparity between the totals like I just explained to the Vikings and Broncos based solely on talent. The coach almost guarantees his role.

Kirk Cousins ​​isn’t going to be a stellar quarterback any time soon. He will improve with Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips calling the plays, but I really doubt we’ll see him take a similar leap to what Stafford did in 2021. That says that, even if Cousins ​​doesn’t improve at all, “Offense” is not the problem. Cousins ​​can only carry the team so far, and he usually does more than enough to win. It is hoped that with the additions of Donatell, Za’Darius Smith and Jordan Hicks, as well as the absence of Anthony Barr, Vikes can improve their defense and thus, once again qualify for the knockout round. next. I wouldn’t be shocked if they compete for the NFC title until the end of the season. However, don’t expect a Super Bowl run.



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