The Minnesota Vikings took their first loss of the 2024 NFL season today, at the hands of a very good Detroit Lions team. It was a game that came down to the wire and not a showing that the Vikings should feel ashamed of.
It was two NFL heavyweights battling it out until the very last bell. This time, the decision did not fall in favor of the Vikings. Fortunately, they are tied atop the NFC North and there is a lot of season left to play, including a quick turnaround this week, where they will be featured on Thursday Night Football.
At the end of the day, half the teams in the league have to lose every week, right? And I’m not one for moral victories, but it’s been a long time since anyone has gone undefeated in the National Football League. Even the greatest NFL teams of all time have taken losses.
Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons had a tough Sunday
Without a doubt, some losses are worse than others, though. For example, let’s fly south, to the other end of the United States, to Atlanta, where former Minnesota Vikings (now Falcons) quarterback Kirk Cousins was playing against the Seattle Seahawks.
Yes, Kirk and his new team were destroyed 34-14 by a mediocre team this afternoon. Cousins, Atlanta’s new $180 million QB, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. It was an all-around day for our former quarterback and his new squad. Cousins wasn’t terrible, from a statistical standpoint.
He went 24-of-35 for 232 yards and a touchdown to go with his two picks (and lost fumble). Today’s loss for the Falcons was a group effort. Penalties were a huge problem, and they lost the turnover battle 3-0. That is not a recipe for victory. But… Kirk accounted for all three of those turnovers.
Kirk Cousins’ fumble was extra egregious. For a guy who is often criticized for being too safe, you just cannot make this decision. Throw the ball away, tuck it and take the sack. Do anything other than wait way to long to attempt an impossible throw that is never going to get caught.
All while former Minnesota Gophers EDGE rusher Boye Mafe is breathing down your neck. Because that’s what Kirk did. The result? A 40-yard fumble return touchdown that all but iced the game for the Seahawks.
Did the Minnesota Vikings make the right choice letting Kirk walk?
On the season, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is now 162-of-242 (67%) for 1,830 yards, 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Outside of the high interception rate, those are pretty standard Kirk Cousins numbers. Changing systems and moving to a defensive-minded football team was always a risk.
But for Kirk Cousins, he’s always willing to bet on himself. He took more money over a more volatile situation, and that was before the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That draft pick had one pass today, by the way. He completed it for 14 yards.
How does Sam Darnold’s first season with the Minnesota Vikings compare to Kirk Cousins’ first season as a Falcon? Darnold had a pretty impressive line today, going 22-of-27 (81%) for 259 yards. Unfortunately, he threw 1 interception and 0 touchdowns.
Cousins vs Sam Darnold – 2024
Overall, Sam played pretty well. The fans calling for his head are delusional. But without a doubt, he did struggle in the 2nd half, at times. And Sam’s inability to make a decisive decision on the second-to-last play of the game also proved to be fatal. On the season, though, the Minnesota Vikings won’t be complaining.
Sam Darnold is now 109-of-164 (66.5%) on the season, for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He doesn’t have the volume Kirk does. The Vikings former QB has thrown the ball 78 more times than their current QB, this season. But Sam’s TD/INT ratio is way better, even if Kirk’s completion percentage is higher.
We’ll probably see Atlanta Falcons fans calling for Kirk Cousins’ head this week. That’s how things always work with Kirko. Most of that criticism will be somewhat overexaggerated. But nonetheless, I’m sure glad (given the money vs output ratio), that the Minnesota Vikings moved on.
