Kirk Cousins is set to walk back into the place where his last run with the Vikings took a brutal turn, and Minnesota may need him to bring some life to an offense that has been stuck in neutral. Cousins has not been officially announced as the starter for Sunday, but that feels like a formality at this point as he prepares for his first game back in purple against the Packers at Lambeau Field, where he tore his Achilles three years ago.
The biggest decision for Kevin O’Connell is whether to ease Cousins in or let him attack. The safer approach would be to keep things short and simple, but that’s been part of the problem all season.
The Vikings have leaned on a dink-and-dunk style that has limited mistakes, yet it hasn’t produced enough movement down the field. Over the last two games, Minnesota’s defense has been stuck on the field for an average of 38 minutes, and that kind of workload just can’t hold up.
Cousins still has the ability to work the middle of the field, even if his arm isn’t what it once was. The intermediate game remains his best area, and his 91.6 Pro Football Focus grade on throws between 10 and 19 yards ranks fourth in the NFL, well ahead of Kyler Murray’s 59.9.
Minnesota doesn’t need perfection from him right away. It needs the offense to stay on schedule and keep the chains moving.
A turnover or two won’t sink the plan if the ball is actually moving. What would be a problem is holding Cousins back while he’s still trying to get comfortable in the offense.
On defense, the Vikings have a potential issue with Blake Cashman, who landed on the injury report with a concussion. With the short week, it’s unclear whether he’ll clear protocol in time for Sunday. If he can’t play, Minnesota would turn to Pace and Golday to fill the void, and Golday did log his highest share of defensive snaps last week against Buffalo.
Still, Pace should be the one carrying the heavier load if Cashman is out. He made the most of just 22 snaps against the Bills, picking up a sack and turning in what was arguably his best game of the season.
His role has shrunk since his breakout rookie year, but the pass-rushing juice is still there, backed by a 90.1 PFF grade. Coverage is the tougher part of his game, though the Packers’ biggest damage tends to come from the outside anyway, with Matthew Golden and Christian Watson accounting for nearly two-thirds of their receiving yards.
The matchup up front also gives Minnesota a chance to work first-round rookie Banks back into the rotation. The Packers are averaging just 68 rushing yards per game, a much friendlier setup than last week’s challenge against Buffalo.
Banks was a healthy scratch against the Bills because his pad level has been a problem all year, and he had started to look like a liability. Against Green Bay, though, he could be used to get after the quarterback, where he has at least shown some signs of progress with three pressures from the interior.
His development is still moving slowly, but the Vikings expected that. Last week’s benching was about the matchup, not a long-term warning sign. Banks should be back in his usual role for about a dozen snaps on Sunday.
In Other News...
Vikings Came Closer To Another Quarterback Move Than Fans Realized
The Vikings were closer to another quarterback swing before the trade deadline than most fans realized, checking in on San Francisco backup Mac Jones before deciding the cost was too rich. It was the kind of due diligence teams do when they are weighing depth, insurance and the possibility that a veteran passer could help stabilize a room, especially with the deadline always forcing front offices to make quick judgments about value.
Kyle Shanahan said multiple teams had interest in Jones, who has settled into his role with the 49ers and says he is happy to stay put while preparing to play if called upon. For Minnesota, the interest is another reminder that the search for quarterback help can surface in unexpected places, and Jones is still expected to reach unrestricted free agency after the season. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Could Bring A Very Different Backfield Into Vikings Week
Green Bay may be headed into Vikings week with a very different look in the backfield. Josh Jacobs is out for Week 10 after surgery on a broken finger, and his absence could stretch beyond the Packers bye in Week 11, forcing the team to reshuffle a rushing attack that has leaned on him heavily.
ESPNs Jeremy Fowler reported that Kaleb Johnson could be the next man up, with the former Steelers draft pick in line for a bigger role after his Week 9 showing against New England. Johnson ran 14 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in that game, and the Packers may use the matchup with Minnesota to see whether he can handle a longer stretch as the lead option. [Read more 🡒]
JJ McCarthy Weighed In On Kirk Cousins Vikings Return
Kirk Cousins return to Minnesota has already stirred up plenty of reaction, and JJ McCarthy was among the former Vikings figures asked to weigh in. Now the Giants quarterback, McCarthy was drafted by Minnesota before his path changed, so his perspective carries a little extra weight even as he settles into his own situation in New York. He kept the focus respectful, offering well wishes for Cousins and acknowledging the ties Cousins still has to former teammates in the Vikings locker room.
McCarthy also made clear where his attention needs to be now, pointing the conversation back to the Giants and their upcoming games. For Minnesota, Cousins return adds another layer to a familiar storyline, with a quarterback who knows the organization well stepping back into the picture and drawing interest from people who used to be part of it. McCarthys comments were brief, but they underscored how much the Vikings quarterback history still resonates even beyond the building. [Read more 🡒]