New Minnesota Vikings Kirk Cousins had a pretty good debut with his new team and for the first time as an $84 million quarterback.
Finishing the game 20-for-36 passing for 244 yards, 2 TDs and a passer rating of 95.1, Cousins showed that he could make the big game throws. As you'll see with some of his 16 incompletions though, there is still room for Cousins and this Vikings offense to grow as the season goes on.
"I was disappointed with a few that weren't accurate enough," Cousins explained. "Specifically one to Adam Thielen down the field that could have been an explosive play."
For Cousins, his two touchdown passes were his 100th and 101st career touchdown pass and boy oh boy were they ever pretty!
Coming to a new team for the first time in his career, the added pressure of the guaranteed contract and the pressure of playing against a good team, that combination wasn't too big of a task for Cousins, but that's not to say he didn't feel its weight.
"I think week one always carries a little bit of anxiety and then you add in coming to a new team," Kirk said of leading up to week one. "When you're defense is making plays they were making and your receivers are getting open, that helps."
Coming to Minnesota and having pass catchers like Kyle Rudolph, Dalvin Cook and receivers like Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen helped a lot for Cousins in week 1.
"I think [Thielen] had 100 yards, had a great game," Cousins explained. "But there was a circus route that he ran that was just past his reach...he would have had more opportunities. He's a great player...when the ball is in his hands, good things happen."
It's a great start for Cousins with his new team and much better than had the season started with an ugly loss. There's still room to grow, but things to build upon as well. It looks like there is potential for a fun season here in Minnesota this year.