Week 16 vs. New York Giants
Kirk Cousins had one of the more bizarre fantasy performances you will ever see from a quarterback in Week 15. Left for dead at halftime with the Vikings trailing the Colts 33-0, Cousins went on to lead Minnesota to the largest comeback victory in league history by erupting for 460 yards and four touchdowns to finish as the week's overall QB3 despite two interceptions. That game script is about as good as you could ever ask for if you had Cousins or a member of the Vikings' passing game in your starting lineup, but that group will get a tougher test this week against a Giants team fighting for a playoff spot. The Giants' defense is almost dead average when it comes to slowing opposing QBs, meaning Cousins projects in his usual range as one of the lower-end QB1s for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Kirk Cousins had a strong showing against the Lions with the perfect combination of a great matchup and fantasy-friendly game script. Cousins got to throw 41 times and posted 425 yards with two touchdowns as the Vikings played catch-up most of the game. Cousins targeted All-World wideout Justin Jefferson early and often, showing that he is still more than capable of taking advantage of soft defenses with the weapons he has at his disposal. Cousins will have another chance to turn in a useful fantasy line in Week 15 when he takes on the Colts, who boast a middle-of-the-road defense against opposing passers. Cousins ranks as a lower-end QB1 option for Week 15.
Week 14 at Detroit Lions
After a string of touch matchups against the Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, and Jets, Kirk Cousins should benefit from a a huge drop-off in defensive resistance this week with the Vikings going on the road to face the Lions. Detroit currently ranks as the single best matchup for opposing passers according to schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed. While the Lions struggle as a defense in general, they especially struggle to limit opposing passing games and Cousins should have plenty of opportunity to find Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and T.J. Hockenson downfield. Cousins sets up as a low-end QB1 or quality streaming option this week.
Week 13 vs. New York Jets
Kirk Cousins had a nice showing against the Patriots on Thanksgiving, when he finished as the QB9 on the week with 299 yards. three touchdowns, and one interception. Cousins has been a strong streaming option at quarterback most of the season, with his fantasy production being closely correlated with the quality of his matchup. Unfortunately, Cousins gets a really tough matchup in Week 13 against an elite Jets secondary that features Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Sauce Gardner at cornerback. The Jets rank as the league's third-toughest matchup for opposing passers according to schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed. Cousins always has a shot for a big day with the weapons he has at his disposal, but he's more of a QB2 this week in a difficult spot.
Week 12 vs. New England Patriots
Kirk Cousins had a miserable Week 11 as he was constantly pressured by the Cowboys' ferocious defensive front. We have a large enough sample size to know that Cousins struggles with pressure, and that could be an issue again on Thanksgiving with the Vikings taking on the Patriots without stud LT Christian Darrisaw (concussion protocol). The Patriots have been about average against opposing QBs in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed, but Bill Belichick is sure to try to take advantage of Darrisaw's absence and blanket Justin Jefferson with his defensive scheme. Cousins likely has better weeks ahead, but he is a middling QB2 in another tough matchup Thursday.
Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Kirk Cousins had a nice statistical game in Week 10, although his numbers are inflated because the game went to overtime and the Vikings got off a ton of snaps relative to a normal week. Cousins' 50 pass attempts marked a new season-high, as did the 357 passing yards. Even with that level of volume, Cousins only managed a single touchdown with two interceptions. Cousins is the starting quarterback for one of the league's better teams, but his limitations as an individual player become a factor when discussing his fantasy value. In a difficult Week 11 matchup against the Cowboys' defense, Cousins is only a QB2 in fantasy.
Week 10 at Buffalo Bills
Kirk Cousins logged 265 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception against Washington on 40 pass attempts in Week 9. Cousins is occupying his usual place right around the QB1 borderline this season, but now he travels to Buffalo to face a difficult matchup against the Bills and their stiff defense. Cousins currently ranks eighth in the NFL in pass attempts, which is a nice change of pace from the Mike Zimmer days. However, his efficiency has not spiked in the new scheme as he currently sits at 6.6 yards per attempt (26th in the league). Cousins is getting by on volume and the talent around him, but Week 10 will be an exceedingly difficult spot for him. He's best left as a QB2 this week against the Bills.
Week 9 at Washington Commanders
Kirk Cousins turned in a great performance against Arizona in Week 8 with 232 yards and three total touchdowns, including one rushing score. Cousins and Minnesota get a similar matchup in Week 9 when they travel to Washington to face the Commanders and their weak pass defense. While Cousins and the Vikings lost Irv Smith Jr to injury in Week 8, they quickly replaced him by trading for T.J. Hockenson, who should immediately slot in as a useful weapon for Cousins. Cousins has a history of taking advantage of soft matchups and will be a viable QB1 in against the Commanders in Week 9.
Week 8 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Kirk Cousins gets a great matchup this week against Arizona's weak pass defense. Cousins has largely hovered right around the QB1/QB2 borderline most weeks with Kevin O'Connell's more pass-heavy offense implemented this season. He is throwing for good volume with a 12th place rank in pass attempts (with a bye week mixed in) and the Vikings running the eighth-most pass plays per game. Cousins' efficiency limitations are keeping him from every-week QB1 status with only 6.6 yards per attempt (24th in the NFL) and 6.5 air yards per attempt (ranked 32nd in the NFL). The soft matchup does give Cousins a better chance at having a more efficient outing this Sunday, but his ceiling is a low-end QB1 as usual.
Week 6 at Miami Dolphins
Kirk Cousins currently ranks 13th at QB in fantasy points per game in large part due to the passing volume the Vikings have shown in the opening weeks of the season. Cousins' 198 pass attempts ranks sixth in the NFL and he sits at ninth in passing yards at 1,327 over five weeks. Cousins still hasn't been particularly efficient as a passer with only 6.7 yards per attempt, but the Vikings are throwing so much to weapons like Justin Jefferson that Cousins is keeping his head above water as a streaming option in fantasy leagues. The Dolphins have been mediocre against opposing QBs this season, meaning Cousins is in play in Week 6 for those in need of a streamer at the position.
