4 takeaways from the play of Kirk Cousins vs. the Panthers in Week 6

Cousins benefitted from Cook’s return

Although Alexander Mattison performed superbly in Dalvin Cook’s absence, having the Pro Bowl running back in the lineup is something the Vikings clearly need moving forward. Not only does this give Kirk Cousins a security blanket coming out of the backfield, but it also opens up play-action as teams key in on limiting the Florida State product’s influence.

It was a collective effort from the Vikings in Week 6 during a game they dominated before collapsing late on. The partnership between Cook and Cousins is mutually beneficial, and as long as the pair are performing at such a high level, Minnesota should be a match for almost anybody.

If they can cut out the mental errors, that is.

The Panthers had a hard time on offense as Sam Darnold struggled and his playmakers were dropping balls everywhere you looked. This made for a tired defense and something Cook and Cousins took full advantage of.

Cook wasted no time in making an impact upon his return, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown from 29 carries. When one considers how lights out Cousins was in his distribution once again, it’s not hard to see why they put up 571 yards of total offense.

The only criticism of the team is they should have wrapped this up long before K.J Osborn’s overtime score.