Kirk Cousins returned to U.S. Bank Stadium, where he had spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, but faced a challenging matchup against his successor, Sam Darnold, leading the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold put on an impressive performance, throwing five touchdown passes and racking up over 300 yards, as the Vikings decisively defeated the Falcons 42-21, pushing their season record to 11-2.
Darnold completed 22 of 28 passes for a total of 347 yards, showcasing precision and poise, while Cousins, despite throwing for 344 yards, struggled with two interceptions and failed to score any touchdowns. This recent performance reflects a concerning trend for Cousins, who has grappled with turnovers, including four interceptions in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The game began positively for the Falcons as they drove down the field to score the first touchdown with a 70-yard drive, capped by a touchdown run from Tyler Allgeier. However, momentum shifted following a turnover on downs during the Falcons’ second drive, allowing Darnold to capitalize with a touchdown pass to Jordan Addison, who emerged as a star with three touchdown catches and 133 receiving yards on eight receptions. Darnold also connected with Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard score, marking Jefferson’s first touchdown since Week 7.
The Vikings dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points, including a touchdown from Aaron Jones, who contributed significantly with 73 rushing yards on 13 attempts. For the Falcons, Bijan Robinson added a touchdown and led in rushing with 92 yards on 22 carries.
Darnell Mooney was Cousins’ primary target, amassing 142 yards on six receptions, and Ray-Ray McCloud also had a strong showing with 98 yards on eight catches.
As both teams look toward the future, the Vikings have solidified their position as a playoff contender, while the Falcons will need to reassess and improve their performance moving forward, particularly in capitalizing on early drives and minimizing turnovers.
This game not only highlighted the Vikings’ prowess on both offense and defense but also illustrated the importance of adapting to changes and surprises during the season. There’s hope for Cousins and the Falcons as they regroup and strategize for the upcoming games, aiming to improve consistency and capitalize on their potential.