The Minnesota Vikings’ 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons was marked by two turning points that showcased the quarterbacking prowess of Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins. For Darnold, it was his impressive display of dodging blitzers to complete a long touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. Meanwhile, Cousins struggled under pressure, committing three interceptions with time to throw.
Darnold’s performance was nothing short of special, as he completed three passes for 113 yards and touchdowns when pressured by the defense. In contrast, Cousins went 0-8 in his touchdown-to-interception differential over the past four games.
However, it was the Falcons’ mistakes that ultimately led to their downfall. The team committed a league-high 12 penalties in the final 37½ minutes of play, resulting in 127 yards and three touchdowns for the Vikings.
The Vikings’ special teams unit also played a crucial role in the game’s outcome, with linebacker Brian Asamoah II punching the ball loose from kick returner Ray-Ray McCloud III, paving the way for C.J. Ham to recover and seal the win.
Despite Cousins’ struggles, the Vikings’ defense came out on top, leading to concerns about the quarterback’s ability to perform under pressure. With a 30-8 record this season, it remains to be seen whether Cousins can turn things around before the end of the year.
Source: https://www.startribune.com/vikings-falcons-sam-darnold-kirk-cousins-jalen-redmond-special-teams-penalties-five-extra-points/601192680