Kirk Cousins first had to deal with the mental anguish from throwing an interception at the goal line on the Vikings’ first drive Sunday against the Panthers.
Then came the physical pain from being leveled while trying to track down Sam Franklin Jr. during his 99-yard pick-six.
Panthers defensive back D’Shawn Jamison absolutely destroyed the Vikings’ quarterback on the play, clearing the way for Franklin Jr.’s score that gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead with 10:42 remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings started the game with a strong drive that had them facing a third-and-goal at the Panthers’ five-yard line with a little less than 11 minutes left in the first quarter.
Cousins, who reportedly won’t be traded to the Jets, tried to hit K.J. Osborn in the front left corner of the end zone, but his ball did not have enough zip.
Franklin Jr. stepped in front of the path for the easy interception, and the only thing standing in the way of a potential score was Cousins.
While most quarterbacks – and teams – would give a half-hearted effort in such spots, Cousins gave it all.
And he paid the price.
Cousins actually put himself in a decent position to make a tackle, but Jamison leveled the quarterback in his right shoulder to send him crashing to the ground.
Franklin Jr. then easily found his way into the end zone for a score.
The Vikings are at least fortunate that Cousins didn’t get hurt in what’s been a frustrating start to the season for the defending NFC North champions.
Minnesota entered Sunday’s game against the winless Panthers 0-3, with the three losses coming by a combined 13 points to the Buccaneers, Eagles and Chargers.
Cousins fared much better the next time the Vikings got in the red zone with a four-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson that cut Minnesota’s deficit to 10-7 in the second quarter.
Credit: Source link
