Comeback Cousins: How Kirk Cousins changed the narrative and become one of the NFL's most clutch QB's
Comeback Cousins: How Kirk Cousins changed the narrative and become one of the NFL's most clutch QB's
By Levi Coovert Coovert October 14, 2024 10:42
Kirk Cousins has established himself as one of the most clutch QBs of all time, but it hasn’t always been that way. Let’s take a look at how Cousins has turned his image around, and risen up in big games and big moments.
Early struggles
Early in his career with the Washington Commanders, Cousins was perceived as one of the least clutch QBs of all time. He struggled in primetime games, and was historically bad on Monday Nights, with a 1-9 record in his first ten Monday games. The fourth-round pick was laughed at by many fans whenever he fell apart in big moments.
Turning it around
From 2012-2019, Cousins had ten fourth-quarter comebacks and 13 game-wining drives, averaging 1.4 comebacks per season and 1.8 game-winning drives per season.
In 2020, everything started to change for Cousins, as he led three game-winning drives for the Vikings. In 2021, he continued to improve late in games, leading the team on four game-winning drives and three fourth-quarter comebacks. But that was just a prelude to what he would do in 2022.
Historic 2022 Season
Cousins and the Vikings had a 2022 season for the ages. He led the team to a 13-4 record and an NFC North title and did it in historic fashion. Cousins led eight fourth-quarter comebacks, and eight game-winning drives, setting an NFL single-season record in both categories. He completely changed the narrative about him as a player and went from being mocked to having the most clutch season of all time.
Cousin’s latest comebacks
Now with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins is already continuing his legacy as one of the best performers in the clutch. All three of the Falcon's wins so far in 2024 have been fourth-quarter comebacks, and all three have featured a game-winning drive from Cousins. His latest comeback was a thrilling one over the division rival Buccaneers, which saw Cousins orchestrate a game-tying field goal drive as time expired, then get the ball back in overtime and complete a game-winning touchdown pass to win the game.
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