Today’s Vikings-Raiders game at U.S. Bank Stadium has more drama surrounding it for the Purple than was predicted a couple of weeks ago. The 1-1 Vikings not only need a win to maintain their status as one of the NFL’s better teams, but quarterback Kirk Cousins badly needs redemption after last Sunday’s 14 of 32 passing performance in the team’s 21-16 loss to the Packers in Green Bay.
Cousins, the team’s $84 million man, didn’t do enough to justify his big contract in year one last year as the Vikings finished 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs after going 13-3 the previous season. In two games this season he hasn’t significantly impacted the outcomes, including a two interceptions performance in Green Bay. With a reputation for not being at his best under pressure dating back to his days playing with the Washington Redskins, it’s high time for Cousins to deliver today and on future Sundays.
Cousins acknowledged several days ago he won’t continue to hold his spot as the team’s starting quarterback if he doesn’t play better. The passionate Vikings fan base read that statement and could lose faith in the seven-year veteran before head coach Mike Zimmer does. A bad day for both Cousins and the Vikings against a mediocre 1-1 Raiders team known for their leaky pass defense will turn the Purple faithful into the unfaithful.
Cousins appeared shaken in the second half against the Packers after making an awful judgment on an attempted end zone touchdown pass that resulted in an interception, and was a turning point in the game. It might have been that kind of play Zimmer had in mind when he issued this vote of confidence for his quarterback last week:
“Kirk had an up and down game last week. He’s going to be fine. We have the utmost confidence in him. He’s in a good place where he’s going to play good this week and continue to play good for the rest of the year.”
If Cousins is fine today and during the remainder of the season it will certainly help Zimmer’s job security. Expectations are high in 2019 for the Vikings with an ownership group that wants a Super Bowl. The Wilf family has provided all the resources including a supportive payroll, new practice home and perhaps the NFL’s best stadium. Success is expected from Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman, both of whom surely promoted the Cousins signing to the owners.
If a quarterback change is made, presumably an opportunity will be given to backup Sean Mannion, the only other QB on the active roster. Acquired in a free agent signing during the offseason, Mannion is in his fifth NFL season but has minimal game day experience—10 games and one start. He has yet to see the field with the Vikings in a regular season game, and in four previous seasons with the St. Louis-L.A. Rams he attempted 53 passes, with 33 completions, one interception and no touchdowns.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound former Oregon State quarterback throws a harder pass than Cousins who has more touch, according to Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes. “Yeah, he does have a pretty good fastball,” Hughes told Sports Headliners, while adding the extra zip can deliver the football in tight spaces.
Mannion has a one year contract with the Vikings and while he admitted everyone wants to start in the NFL, he is happy with his role. He is also a Cousins admirer. He even studied the throwing mechanics of his older peer while with the Rams, watching how Cousins used his feet to maximize timing with receivers.
“Kirk is great…with his feet and playing on time,” Mannion said. “That’s something that I’ve tried to really do as part of my game as well. Trying not to get behind the timing of the play and force a bad decision, really lifting my feet.”
After Mannion arrived at the Vikings practice facility, he learned what others already knew about Cousins as a person. “He’s just an awesome dude. Just the way he treats people, everybody in the building…he treats with total respect.”
Worth Noting
Hughes, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, could make his 2019 debut today. As of Thursday, he was undecided whether to wear a brace when he does return.
With a win today against the Raiders, the Vikings will have their 500th victory in franchise history dating back to 1961.
Brent Musburger, the 80-year-old famous sports broadcaster who graduated in 1957 from Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, is in his second season as the Raiders play-by-play man.
WCCO Radio change: The Sports Huddle program, a Sunday ratings leader for decades, has been moved from a 9:30 a.m. start to 10 a.m. Purple Sunday Pregame airs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald (1,316) needs 10 receptions today against the Carolina Panthers to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for second on the NFL’s all-time list of career receptions. The Arizona Cardinals receiver has the league’s longest active streak of games with a reception (229).
A friend living in Athens, Georgia texted that interest in last night’s Georgia-Notre Dame football game was so intense that locals were asking and receiving rent of $4,000 to $6,000 per night with a two night minimum for their houses.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor acknowledging earlier this month that season ticket sales are down: “I would just say they (the sales force) have goals that they haven’t achieved yet.”
Tyus Jones, the former Timberwolf point guard now with the Memphis Grizzlies, will play a mentoring role to point guard Ja Morant, the team’s 2019 No. 1 draft choice.
Minnesota United, competing to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, plays at Providence Park in Portland this afternoon. The stadium is 95 years old, one of the iconic facilities in American sports, and home to the Portland Timbers.