NFL: Kirk Cousins Blows the Game in a 21-16 Loss to Green Bay

With a little help from a terrible throw by Kirk Cousins late in the game, the Green Bay Packers held on for a 21-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers moved to 2-0 on the season and are currently in sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been lighting the world on fire in Matt LaFleur’s offense, but he’s done enough to get the job done. Rodgers finished Sunday’s game with two touchdown passes, 209 yards, and no interceptions, leading to a 101.20 passer rating. Green Bay’s offense produced a total OVER (Offensive Value and Efficiency Rating) of 114.375 in the win.

On defense, the Packers had a DVS (Defensive Value Score) of 0.5 for the game, edging out the 0.25 DVS that the Minnesota Vikings posted. Green Bay recorded one sack and three quarterback hits on Kirk Cousins.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook was fantastic in the loss, rushing for 154 yards and a touchdown to lead Minnesota to a rushing usage index of 99.0. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a rough day for Cousins under center as the Vikings QB completed only 14 of his 32 passes and threw two interceptions, including an ugly one off of his back foot in the closing moments of the game that sealed the loss for Minnesota.