4 takeaways from the play of Kirk Cousins vs. the Lions in Week 5

Cousins is a clutch performer

The narrative that Kirk Cousins cannot get things done in critical moments is a garbage take at this juncture. This wasn’t a virtuoso performance from the Minnesota Vikings against a spirited Detroit Lions team that’s clearly still got plenty of fight left in them, but when they needed their quarterback to come up with the goods, he delivered.

Yet again.

Cousins didn’t have much time to get Minnesota down the field in pursuit of victory. Where many signal-callers across the league may have folded under the pressure, the former Michigan State star remained composed and did just enough to give Greg Joseph a chance.

Thankfully, the Vikings kicking curse did not rear its ugly head in this one.

It’s no secret that Cousins is a scapegoat when things go wrong in Minnesota. That’s just something he has to live with at this stage of his career.

If he hasn’t changed the opinion of some by now, he never will.

Even the staunchest Cousins hater cannot argue he’s playing some outstanding football this season. The Vikings are still 2-3, but they are far from done just yet.

Keeping this momentum going at the Carolina Panthers is the next big test. One that Cousins and his teammates need to take seriously in the face of an imposing defensive unit.