Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Bold Prediction 1: Kirk Cousins will throw three touchdowns but none will be to wide receivers

Kirk Cousins is an incredibly efficient quarterback and poses issues for the rest of the NFC North as a result. In fact, he is one of the more efficient QBs in the NFL. While he has quality receivers, he is at his best spreading the ball around the field. That will be important against this Packers defense.

The Vikings have two tight ends who are capable of red-zone targets. Dalvin Cook is also a receiving threat out of the backfield. Look for Cook to score a TD off a screen and both Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. to find their way into the end zone this week.

Cousins will connect with Theilen and Jefferson a lot. However, it will be more to drive the football down the field.

Bold Prediction 2: Kirk Cousins will throw over 300 passing yards

While the Packers’ defense is stout, they had a more bend but don’t break philosophy. The Vikings’ offense has a lot of quality receiving options. While typically I would bet on the Packers’ defense, this Vikings offense is going to be hard to stop.

Without a preseason, there is bound to be some miscommunication and missed tackles. Cousins will capitalize on that and have one of his best games. This one may be more high scoring than people think.

Final Word: Kirk Cousins isn’t the type of QB that will wow fans. He doesn’t have the eye popping arm strength of Patrick Mahomes. He won’t be able to buy time with his feet like Russell Wilson. However, Cousins is still a very good quarterback. He is smart, understands his limits, and is able to make the big throws when he needs to. The Vikings are lucky to have him as their QB.