5 biggest gifts of the Minnesota Vikings 2020 season

Kirk Cousins – QB

Kirk Cousins has his haters, but without his play, the Vikings would not still be clinging on to their playoff hopes.

Cousins has overcome a shaky start to the season and has been much smarter with the football lately. He’s been making the types of plays that have helped Minnesota get back in games and he’s led them to some improbable come-from-behind victories.

This year, Cousins has marched the Vikings down the field late in wins against the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has used his two primary targets, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, extensively and he has put the ball where only those two can catch it.

Cousins seems to have also improved his pocket presence this season and he gets the ball out much quicker than he has in the past.

Recently, Minnesota’s quarterback has also realized that he can make plays with his legs. While it isn’t always pretty, Cousins has been able to not just move around in the pocket to buy more time, but he has been able to pick up extra yards on the ground and extend drives.

While him learning to slide would be an even bigger gift to the Vikings, the fact that he is dialed in and showing why the team invested so much money in him has been a very nice gift for the franchise.