MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Kirk CousinsThe other was pissed. The Minnesota VikingsThe quarterback had made an inadvertent pass to Hard Rock Stadium’s deserted grass. His team prepared for punt. Cousins began to walk toward the sideline. Cousins walked toward the sideline. He stuffed his mouthpiece into his facemask, and unleashed a fist pump.
The Vikings led the charge in that moment. Miami Dolphins. They would continue to Win 24-16, two games ahead Green Bay Packers for the top spot in the NFC North, placing themselves in prime position — at 5-1 — ahead of their bye week.
And yet Cousins was angry, and he immediately let first-year coach Kevin O’Connell know about it on the sidelines. Cousins tightened his teeth as the Vikings marched out the punt team. Cousins kept talking, making repeated and aggressive hand gestures to express his feelings.
In his mind, he would say later, were specific thoughts about himself, about his team: “I’ve got to play better. We’ve got to play better.”
That thought is not restricted to the head coach, quarterback or locker room players for the first six weeks in 2022. Most viewers can identify with the feeling. To the frustration. To the idea that they’re capable of more.
They’ve got to play better. They are able to play better. They CAN play better.
This outlook has some comfort. The Vikings won three divisional matches. They won in London.
