You can’t be successful if you can’t handle pressure.
Kirk Cousins displayed more experience and more poise in the big moments today. Consequently the Vikings defeated the Commanders 20-17.
Both Cousins and Taylor Heinicke were under pressure, made uncomfortable, forced to throw off balance and were made to look bad at times.
Yet, the final quarter is much more important than earlier portions of a close game. Consequently, Cousins came through when his team needed it most, and for those of us pulling for Washington, Heinicke shrunk in the big moments.
Washington led 17-7 with 14:14 remaining and had held the Vikings to a mere nine offensive plays that produced a measly 13 yards. But now the Vikings were down two scores, and this is where Cousins leadership and experience began to rise in the moment.
Cousins completed two passes for 58 yards to Justin Jefferson, the Vikings drive produced a Greg Joseph field goal and the Commanders lead was down to one score.
Heinicke badly missed 6-foot-6 TE Logan Thomas and was intercepted by Harrison Smith. Two plays later, Cousins pounced on the opportunity, lofting a perfect pass over Kam Curl to Dalvin Cook and the game was tied.
Heinicke needed to produce at least enough to force the Vikings to have a long field. However, he burned no clock and picked up no first downs.
Cousins had one last possession in regulation. Cousins to T.J. Hockenson for 10 yards and a first down. Again it was Cousins to Hockenson for another first down, most importantly, burning clock, ensuring Washington had already had its last opportunity.
It was a physical game, not easy on the two quarterbacks. Indeed the Commanders sacked Cousins twice and put an additional 11 QB hits on the former Washington quarterback. Heinicke was sacked three times, and the Vikings put 7 QB hits on him as well.
Cousins did earn the respect of the Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne, who following the game volunteered, “I mean, if you can stand in there and take them licks like that and get the ball down the field, I commend you, being tough like that.”
