Kirk Cousins, back in Minnesota purple and black for the first time since the 2023-24 season, didn’t waste a second, immediately handing Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers a crushing 30-10 loss on Sunday. This wasn’t just any win, either. The Vikings walked into Lambeau Field as 2.5-point underdogs, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and delivered a statement upset that snapped a brutal two-game losing streak.
Instant Impact: Cousins’ Whirlwind Return and Upset Victory
Can you believe the turnaround? Cousins was traded to Minnesota on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Ian Rapoport, making way for last year’s Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza, in Las Vegas. He had played nine games this season for the Raiders after two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Now, just days after the deal, he’s back where he spent six years previously and dropping dimes for the Vikings. He threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns in his first game, leading Minnesota to their first win since October 25. That’s a massive bounce-back after dropping recent games against the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.
The Vikings came out swinging, taking a commanding 17-0 lead into halftime. The Packers’ first quarter was a nightmare, losing a fumble and missing a field goal. Cousins found Myles Price for a huge 38-yard touchdown to kick things off. Green Bay’s struggles just kept rolling into the second quarter when Love threw an interception, making it their second turnover of the game. Aaron Jones Sr. then punched in a rushing touchdown, extending Minnesota’s lead. Even a Cousins interception in that same quarter couldn’t stop the Purple and Gold’s momentum. While Green Bay tried to claw back in the third, cutting the deficit to 10 points with a Love to J. Michael Sturdivant 32-yard touchdown and a field goal, their fourth turnover in the fourth quarter sealed their fate. Cousins connected with tight end Gavin Bartholomew for another touchdown before a final field goal extended the lead to 20 points, cementing the 30-10 victory.
NFC North Is a Jumbled Mess After This Week’s Action
This win is huge for the Vikings, marking their second victory over Green Bay this season after starting the year with a dominant 39-22 home win over the Packers in Week 1. They’ve now leaped into second place in the NFC North, which is looking incredibly tight right now:
1. DET: 7-2
2. MIN: 7-2
3. CHI: 7-2
4. GB: 6-4
The Vikings hold the potential tiebreaker over the Chicago Bears, which is critical, but they did drop their first matchup against the Detroit Lions by four points. Mark your calendars, because that rematch is scheduled for Week 15. With three teams sitting at 7-2, every game matters even more now.
Looking ahead, the Vikings will host the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET. That’s a tough test, but with Cousins back and firing, who knows what they can accomplish. The Packers, meanwhile, need to regroup fast as they hit the road to face the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, November 25, at 8 p.m. ET. What a wild week in the NFC North!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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