A couple of months after quarterback Kirk Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings by way of free company and signed a four-year contract reportedly price $180M that included $100M assured to affix the Atlanta Falcons, he acknowledged that dealing with the Vikings in Minnesota this season would “be a novel expertise.” That sport will happen at U.S. Financial institution Stadium this Sunday.
Cousins spoke with reporters on Wednesday about what may very well be a clumsy homecoming for the signal-caller who featured for the Vikings from 2018 by final season.
“I feel you simply form of undergo the week, undergo your course of,” Cousins defined, Charean Williams of Professional Soccer Speak shared. “You perceive it’s a well-known place.”
Cousins performed for the franchise now referred to as the Washington Commanders from 2012-17. In November 2022, he guided the Vikings to a 20-17 win at Washington.
“This occurred once I performed in Washington for the primary time again,” Cousins stated on Wednesday. “I had no concept the place the away locker room was. I had by no means been in there. I had been to the Washington stadium many, many, many occasions, however I had by no means been to it in that means. Form of felt like a rookie in that sense. So, now I’ll have that very same feeling I assume on Sunday, the place, it’s, OK, I’ve been right here many occasions, however on this means, it’s a primary.”
Whereas Cousins and the Falcons started this season at 6-3, the membership has since misplaced three video games amid his struggles. Particularly, he tossed six interceptions with no touchdowns over these defeats. 4 picks occurred in Atlanta’s 17-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers this previous Sunday afternoon.
Whispers have surfaced suggesting the Falcons might transfer on from Cousins and begin 2024 first-round draft choose Michael Penix Jr. subsequent 12 months. In the meantime, free-agency acquisition Sam Darnold has helped the Vikings get to a 10-2 file.
“There’s definitely some distinctive experiences there,” Cousins continued, “however on the finish of the day, you’re there to go play a soccer sport and go play your finest and win, and that’s the place your focus is.”
As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as 5.5-point underdogs versus the Vikings.