Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings got off to a rough start during the first three games of the 2023 NFL season. They began the year 0-3 after losses to the Eagles, Chargers and Buccaneers.
Sunday’s game against the Panthers seemed to be going much better during the first drive. Cousins led the Vikings offense 70 yards down field on six plays.
Minnesota was comfortably in the red zone on 3rd-and-goal from the Carolina five-yard-line. It was a crucial down that went horribly wrong.
A drive that should have ended with points for the Vikings ended with points for the Panthers.
Cousins took the snap and dropped back in the pocket. He immediately looked to his left.
Wide receiver K.J. Osborn broke to the near plyon on a crossing route, but the defense swarmed to the ball. Cousins telegraphed his throw the entire way. It was pretty easily picked off at the one-yard-line.
Safety Sam Franklin caught the ball with nothing but open field in front of him. As he took it back in the other direction, there was just one man to beat — Cousins.
However, as Franklin chugged his way 99 yards to the end zone, his secondary mate got on his horse right alongside him. Cornerback D’Shawn Jamison was mostly out of the play after the interception was made.
And then he turned on the jets.
Jamison accelerated down field to get out in front of Franklin.
He delivered a big hit on the opposing quarterback.
Kirk Cousins got OBLITERATED.
Ouch! It was almost as if Jamison saw the opportunity to destroy Cousins and took off like a heat-seeking missile. Win, lose or tie, Cousins will feel that one in the morning!