Minnesota Vikings MVPs: Preseason Week 1 vs. Saints

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 09: Trae Waynes #26 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during a preseason game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Kirk Cousins /

Offensive MVP – Kirk Cousins

It’s hard to look at the game that Kirk Cousins put together in Week 1 of the preseason and many things he should have done differently. His decision-making, patience, and pocket presence were on point and the rest of the Minnesota Vikings offense thrived playing through him.

Cousins had his first completion to Stefon Diggs waved off because of holding, but that didn’t frustrate him at all. His four passes all hit their intended targets during the game, gaining 65 yards through the air and adding one touchdown.

But it wasn’t all about his arm in this game. Cousins was actually given pockets of protection and used play-action and rollouts well to create time and give his receivers time to work against the defense. Plus, when he saw space in front of him, he tucked the ball and scrambled for the first down.

There was no need to see anything more from Cousins in this game. From his great strike to Adam Thielen which put the team at the goal line to catching the defense off guard with play-action, the quarterback deserved every bit of his perfect passer rating of 158.3.

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