Cousins Outshines Rodgers as Vikings Put Packers’ Playoff Hopes on Life Support

Minnesota's quarterback bounced back from his worst game of the season with 342 passing yards and three scores.

Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) makes a throw during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers on November 25, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Packers 24-17.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) makes a throw during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers on November 25, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Packers 24-17.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

With two straight road games coming up against New England and Seattle, the Vikings needed a win over the Packers on Sunday Night Football.

Thanks to Kirk Cousins, who passed for 342 yards and three scores without any turnovers, they got it.

Unfortunately for Packers fans, their team also desperately needed a win.

Coming off his worst game of the season, Cousins led Minnesota to the pivotal 24-17 win and kept the Vikings’ (who now sit fifth in the NFC postseason standings at 6-4-1) playoff hopes very much alive.

For Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers – who was held to 198 yards passing and one touchdown – the loss was a crippling blow as they fell to 4-6-1 on the season.

“Last week left a bad taste in our mouths and the chance to come back on Sunday Night Football against a division rival at home was a great opportunity and I’m glad we made the most of it,” Cousins said. “It took a great team effort, a lot of people involved to make that happen and I’m thrilled with the outcome.”

Rogers, who has not won a game on the road this season, had a less rosy outlook following the crippling loss.

“We’ve all got to play better, myself included,” Rodgers said. “Started off the game nice. We had a couple good drives. We’re rolling there. We hit our unfortunate typical lull and didn’t get it going again.”

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