7 biggest takeaways from the Vikings win vs. Commanders in Week 9

The two sides of Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins opened the game by connecting on his first nine passes and putting together a drive that ended with a Justin Jefferson touchdown reception. That’s a great, yet mostly safe, start to the game.

Criticism of Cousins will come because of the shot he took to the end zone, giving Jefferson a jump ball opportunity before halftime. This aggressive play is the kind of thing a lot of fans say they want to see from him until he actually does it.

Risking a field goal try to take a shot at the end zone may have been a gamble, but as Cousins continues to develop his connection with his receivers, these types of plays could happen more often.

Fans will need to decide if they like the safer, game-managing Kirk Cousins or a version that doesn’t mind being a gunslinger when he likes the opportunity in front of him. It feels like two very different quarterbacks, but they are both the Captain Kirk who will lead the Minnesota Vikings.