MINNEAPOLIS — With league-leading production from running back Dalvin Cook and clever play-calling by offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, the Minnesota Vikings helped Kirk Cousins get back in a groove this month after his rash of turnovers contributed to the team's 1-5 start.
Cousins wasn't going to be able to just linger in the background for long, though. Chicago's defense made that clear on Monday night, containing Cook with one of the best front-seven groups assembled in the NFL. Minnesota's hyper-scrutinized quarterback went to work, delivering a clutch performance that was about far more than simply managing a 19-13 victory over the Bears.
"I thought he played really fast, which is important for him. He was extremely accurate. He got the ball in the right places all night," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "I just felt like he did a really good job of handling what the defense was giving us."
Cook reached 96 rushing yards — he also had a modest 16 receiving yards — but needed 30 carries to get there. Most of those gains came after standout defensive tackle Akiem Hicks left the game with a hamstring injury.
Cousins completed 10 of 11 attempts on third downs for 149 yards and a perfect 158.3 passer rating and one sack. Two of those throws went for touchdowns to Adam Thielen and five more moved the chains for first downs.
"Gary deserves a lot of credit for sticking to the game planning. He had a plan all week long of how to attack them on third down," said Cousins, whose only turnover was a second-quarter interception that slipped straight through Thielen's hands as Khalil Mack converged on the ball.
Cousins attempted a combined 34 passes while Cook ground up Green Bay and Detroit in victories over the previous two weeks. In defeating Chicago for the first time in three seasons with the Vikings (4-5), Cousins went 25 for 36 for 292 yards and just one sack. He took six sacks in a 16-6 loss at Soldier Field last year.
"It's been nice to kind of figure ourselves out, find an identity as we play through things," Cousins said. "So I like that part of it. Just like I said at the bye week when we had 10 games left, these 10 games are going to tell the story. Even after three wins, I'd still say the same going forward."
