Each week I’m going to be charting all of Kirk Cousins dropbacks via the NFL coaches’ film. This film allows me to see all 22 players on the field and better evaluate the quarterback’s performance. I’m tracking a variety of important statistics, including accuracy, “turnover-worthy throws”, and elite throws. For more information, please check out Charting Cousins in his week one game against the 49ers.
Week 2 – Vikings @ Packers
In week two, Cousins led the Vikings to a come-from-behind tie, giving them multiple chances to win the game. Though Daniel Carlson was unable to complete the comeback win, it was a nice to see a Vikings quarterback orchestrate a comeback against a tough division rival. From an entertainment standpoint, it was one of the best games of this short NFL season.
Box Score Statistics
In week two, Cousins completed 35 of his 48 pass attempts for 425 yards and four touchdowns. He threw one interception and was sacked twice. Adding to his passing numbers, he added two rushes for five yards on the ground. Cousins was responsible for 15 first downs, though he only converted four of 13 third downs through the air. With a 73 percent completion percentage and an average of 8.8 yards per attempt, Cousins had an extremely efficient day. He finished with the second most passing yards and tied for the second most passing touchdowns of any quarterback in the league.
Coaches’ Film Breakdown
Cousins started off hot for the second week in a row. He was accurate on each of his first nine attempts and was accurate on 15 of his 18 qualifying attempts in the first half. He had one touchdown pass in the half, a 14-yard strike to Laquon Treadwell on a post route that went right over the linebacker’s extended arm.
Cousins did have a few mistakes, which helped to limit the offense to only seven first half points. He took a sack at the 8:20 mark of the first quarter where Adam Thielen was open on a deep crossing route that could have been a touchdown. At the 6:44 mark of the second quarter, Cousins escaped pressure from the pocket, but forced a pass towards Stefon Diggs in which two Packers’ defenders had a chance to intercept it. It was his first turnover-worthy throw, though the pass resulted in an incompletion.
In the third quarter, the Vikings were unable to generate much offense. Cousins was accurate on seven of eight attempts, but a sack on their first drive and a drop by Treadwell on the second drive ended their first two chances for points. The final drive of the third quarter carried over into the fourth and resulted in the Vikings second touchdown on the day. On this touchdown, Cousins used motion to diagnose that it was man coverage. Upon realizing that, the Vikings ran a rub-route concept to allow Diggs to break free to the outside. Cousins’ throw was inaccurate and extremely low, but Diggs made a great catch to bring the Vikings within one score.
What fun play design for red zone threat, Stefon Diggs pic.twitter.com/HHfqODxuOJ
— Arif Hasan, but spooky 👻 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 16, 2018
After the Packers’ seven-minute drive that ended in a field goal, he threw his best pass of the day. Diggs ran a go route and Cousins placed the ball perfectly, leading him down the field and towards the sideline away from the Packers’ defenders.
My word pic.twitter.com/sleljMuQo9
— Arif Hasan, but spooky 👻 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 16, 2018
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
From that point on, the Vikings relied almost exclusively on Cousins. Like the week prior, the running game had been ineffective for most of the day. Cousins was accurate on only 10 of his next 18 attempts, but made multiple impressive throws under pressure. In particular, Cousins had three throws to Thielen in tight windows down the field. The highlight was the game-tying touchdown on an out-and-up route. Cousins got hit in the legs as he threw, but the placement was perfect and Thielen rolled into the end zone for the touchdown. In overtime, Cousins hit Thielen on a 25-yard crossing route that went directly over one defender and dropped in to Thielen before the safety could reach it. Ultimately, Carlson was unable to convert the game-winning field goal attempt, but Cousins final drive was extremely impressive.
Overall
On the day, Cousins was accurate on 33 of 44 attempts for an accuracy percentage of 75 percent. He had four touchdowns, 15 first downs, and three turnover-worthy throws. He increased his accuracy percentage by nine from last week. That came despite an increased number of attempts and the Packers “playing pass” due to the Vikings’ two-score deficit. Cousins was excellent on the day, particularly when targeting Diggs and Thielen. Each saw 13 targets and they combined for 21 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns, further cementing their case as the best WR duo in football.
Though Cousins did have three “turnover-worthy throws”, none of these resulted in an interception, with two being dropped by the defender and the other being negated by a controversial roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews. His only interception came on the Treadwell drop, in which Treadwell tipped the ball up in the air for a Packers’ defender to intercept it. Cousins faced pressure on 28 percent of his dropbacks, slightly higher than last week. It is still a relatively low number given the number of attempts and the Vikings’ injuries on the offensive line.
Perhaps most impressive was Cousins “completed-air-yards” this week. After gaining 63 percent of his yards after the catch last week, Cousins gained an impressive 236 yards through the air this week. Only 44 percent of his yards coming after the catch. Overall, this was a hugely impressive game from Cousins. Turnover-worthy throws remain a concern. But Cousins’ blend of efficiency and explosiveness in a comeback effort is a reason for optimism going forward.
Week 2 – Film Breakdown Statistics
Accurate | 33 | Elite Throws | 4 |
Inaccurate | 11 | Sacks | 2 |
Accuracy % | 75% | Pressure % | 28% |
Touchdowns | 4 | Play Action % | 24% |
Interceptions | 1 | Drops | 4 |
Turnover-Worthy Throws | 3 | Scrambles | 2 |
Completed Air Yards | 236 | First Downs | 15 |
Yards After Catch | 189 | Target Leader | Diggs/Thielen – 13 |
Yards After Catch % | 44% | 3rd Down Conversion % | 31% |
Year-to-Date Film Breakdown Statistics
Accurate | 54 | Elite Throws | 6 |
Inaccurate | 22 | Sacks | 4 |
Accuracy % | 71 | Pressure % | 27% |
Touchdowns | 6 | Play Action % | 23% |
Interceptions | 1 | Drops | 6 |
Turnover-Worthy Throws | 7 | Scrambles | 6 |
Completed Air Yards | 327 | First Downs | 28 |
Yards After Catch | 342 | Target Leader | Thielen – 25 |
Yards After Catch % | 51% | 3rd Down Conversion % | 39% |
– Madison Parkhill writes for Full Press Coverage and covers the Vikings and Fantasy Football. Follow him @MadPark44 and follow @FPC_Vikings.
Latest Vikings News
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Mavericks at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: Final Notesby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm