Cousins Excited for Opportunity to Play at ‘Much Higher Level’

[Viktor]

EAGAN, Minn. — Kirk Cousins isn’t ignorant of the criticism he’s received since Sunday’s 21-16 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field.


He’s aware that Vikings fans weren’t happy, and that people around the football world have scrutinized his play over and over again.


“Believe me – I’m not going to be playing quarterback here if I play the way I played last Sunday for much longer,” Cousins said Wednesday in the Vikings locker room. “I understand that, and I look forward to getting out there and playing at a much higher level.”


The Vikings quarterback gets it, too, especially since he’s coming off a game when he completed just 14 of 32 passes for 230 yards with a touchdown.


He also had two interceptions to go along with a lost fumble, and his passer rating of 52.9 was the third-lowest of his career as a starter.


But Cousins is also embracing the opportunity that lies ahead, starting with a bounce-back effort Sunday at home against Oakland.


Cousins said he’ll rely on his 80 games of NFL experience as a starter, and that he’ll go back to things that worked when he faced adversity in the past.


“I think it does help that I’ve played a lot of football,” Cousins said. “You play the next game, and what was difficult or had you down three weeks ago is quickly forgotten once three weeks go past.


“You realize that you have to play each game at a time and that each one is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but then you’re right back at it. What’s so important is that you can’t let one [rough outing] turn into two, three, four,” Cousins added. “As a younger player, I’m sure that can happen. But when you’ve been around the block, you’d like to think you’ve been through that before and you’ve learned.”