5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Week 1

Cousins will throw for over 300 yards

In our season predictions article, we said that Kirk Cousins would get off to a slow start in September. While that has been the case throughout his tenure with the Vikings, Sunday doesn’t seem to be a game that Cousins will struggle in.

In three seasons, Cousins has compiled a 22-5-1 record against teams at or below .500. During those games, he’s thrown for an average of 273.1 yards per game and compiled a 5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. With a quarterback rating of 114.8, it’s clear that Cousins plays his best against teams he’s supposed to beat.

In the Bengals, Cousins has an opponent that he should be able to smash. Aside from their 4-11-1 record last season, Cincinnati also ranked seventh in passing yards allowed and hemorrhaged 32 touchdowns through the air.

Cousins’ performance against bad teams is often used as a criticism, but this is exactly the opponent the Vikings need to see. After a lackluster preseason, he can use the easy matchup to get into a groove and buck the trend of a slow start.