5 Vikings players who have been key to their turnaround in 2020

Kirk Cousins – QB

There were fewer players in the NFL under more pressure than Kirk Cousins heading into the bye week. The Vikings were 1-5 and their signal-caller took most of the blame – as he often does – but as is normally the case these days, he bounced back in a positive way.

Going back to basics has been key for Cousins. Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has gone back to the method that worked so well for the Vikings in 2019, which is leaning heavily on Dalvin Cook and getting the most out of play-action when opposing defenses stack the box.

This is how you get the best out of Cousins. He has accumulated 672 passing yards and six touchdowns over the last three games. But the signal-caller has thrown just one interception during this span.

Not turning the football over is key, something Cousins did plenty of during Minnesota’s first six contests. However, sticking to this scheme seems to be the best way to go moving forward, although there will come a time when the Vikings might need their quarterback to win them a game or two down the stretch.

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Cousins should have his confidence back, which is pivotal to the Vikings’ chances of booking an unlikely playoff berth this season. He won’t be tasked with much other than making the odd big throw here and there so long as Cook is still firing on all cylinders, which is another thing working in his favor.