Case Keenum gave Minnesota the “Minneapolis Miracle.” Kirk Cousins gave the city this:
On a 4th-and-8 with 1:51 remaining and no timeouts and the Vikings trailing by a touchdown, Cousins elected to throw the ball five yards short of the line to gain to a blanketed receiver.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson made the reception but was immediately tackled by Xavier McKinney. New York got the ball back and won, 31-24.
The game-sealing reception was a far cry from the “Minneapolis Miracle” pass from Keenum to wide receiver Stefon Diggs against the Saints in the divisional round of the 2017 playoffs that sent Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game.
That play is in the pantheon of great playoff finishes. Cousins’ pass will only live in infamy.
Sunday’s play was made even worse when remembering that Justin Jefferson is a Viking. That’s the same Jefferson who made the best catch in NFL history on a fourth-and-18 in Buffalo earlier this year.
Cousins didn’t get the ball in the hands of the Vikings best player. For a QB, that’s an unforgivable gaffe.
Fans were quick to roast Cousins for his poor decision.
Cousins had solid numbers on Sunday — 31-of-39 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions or sacks — but his performance will be remembered for his poor final decision.
It’s a disappointing end to a miraculous Vikings season that should have never gotten this far. Minnesota was 13-4 despite being outscored by three points. The team had a good record but it masked what is actually a much worse team.
They were never a serious threat to win the Super Bowl. Teams that finish the regular season second-to-last in total defense rarely are.
Minnesota ranked 31st this year with 388.7 yards allowed per game.
The throw reflected the franchise’s season. On the Vikings’ final offensive play, Cousins made the completion. Like their season, it didn’t amount to much.
