Cousins, Jefferson power Vikings past Saints in international spotlight
It wasn’t a primetime game, but Kirk Cousins once again found himself center stage in front of an international audience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Sunday.
Cousins’ primetime struggles are well-documented, sporting a 10-19 record during the NFL’s showcase games under the lights. Americans were eating breakfast during the Minnesota Vikings’ clash with the New Orleans Saints, but Cousins and company had the NFL world’s collective gaze.
Instead of faltering under the spotlight, Cousins guided the Vikings (3-1) to a 25-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints with two clutch drives during the fourth quarter in the first of the NFL’s three games inside London.
With eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Minnesota quarterback orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard drive that finished with a Justin Jefferson rushing touchdown and a 22-19 lead. On the Vikings’ next series, Cousins made the biggest play of the afternoon when he connected with Jefferson for a 39-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to set up a Greg Joseph’s 47-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining that proved to be the game-winner.
“I have to give Kirk and our offense a ton of credit there,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Back-to-back drives for 10 points there in the fourth quarter to score and then obviously get the field goal.”
Despite the the late field goal, New Orleans had a chance to tie the game on its final drive. Will Lutz, who made a 60-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter to tie the game, missed a 61-yard attempt on the final play that hit the left upright and the crossbar for the infamous ‘double-doink’.
“I don’t really watch kicks often, but I watched that one,” Minnesota linebacker Eric Hendricks said.
Cousins only touchdown came on the first drive of the game off a 15-yard screen pass to Alexander Mattison. Cousins was sharp throughout Sunday, completing 25-of-38 passes for 276 yards and the one score. He did have a first-half interception when he stared down Irv Smith and allowed Tyrann Mathieu to jump the route.
Cousins leaned heavily on his top target, Jefferson. The second-year receiver continues his ascent as one of the NFL’s best wide receivers. Jefferson hauled 10 passes for 147 yards, and won the one-on-one matchup with New Orleans cornerback Marcus Lattimore.
“It feels great, especially against this type of defender,” Jefferson said. “(Lattimore) is definitely known around the whole league as a great corner. I got the upper hand on this matchup.”
The Saints (1-3) came into the contest as four-point underdogs and nearly pulled off the upset while facing adversity throughout Sunday’s contest. New Orleans was without starting quarterback Jameis Winston, starting running back Alvin Kamara and top wide receiver Michael Thomas.
Backup quarterback Andy Dalton was efficient and gave New Orleans a chance at the end. The 12-year veteran found rookie wide receiver Chris Olave for a four-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Olave finished with four catches for 67 yards.
“Frustrating way to end that game. We had our chances,” New Orleans head coach Dennis Allen said. “Thought our guys battled back after the second half. Thought we made too many mistakes in the first half, which put us behind.
Minnesota’s players and head coach were frustrated with an offense that missed multiple chances to finish off the Saints before Joseph’s heroics. The Vikings scored touchdowns on just two of their five red-zone trips, resulting in five made field goals by their kicker.
Still, the long flight home is a lot easier coming off a victory, and these will be lessons the Vikings take throughout a season filled with aspirations of a deep playoff run.
Both teams will return home and return to action next week. The Saints will welcome the Seattle Seahawks, while Minnesota is set to host the Chicago Bears.
