Kirk Cousins' unstoppable throw

The Vikings quarterback has the perfect receiver for the favorite throw in his repertoire

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By Sam Ekstrom

EAGAN — Kirk Cousins’ first touchdown pass as the Vikings quarterback came on a throw that has become a familiar sight since.

Shotgun snap from the 22-yard line, one step backward, a quick look-off to the right and a decisive delivery over the cornerback’s shoulder into Stefon Diggs’ hands.

It was a deep fade that helped the 2018 Vikings beat the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the 2018 season. Cousins may very well lean on that throw in Sunday’s meeting with the 49ers. And he’s been using it as a trademark for the 50+ games in between.

“I mean, I always tell Kirk, if you see me over there 1-on-1, give me the opportunity to go up and make a play,” said Cousins’ current favorite target Justin Jefferson. “I mean, I see the ball, [the defender] doesn’t. Me going up and making a play for the team, that’s what I gotta do.”

Jefferson is the ultimate receiver to pair with a quarterback like Cousins who possesses an affinity for the sideline fade. While Cousins can be gun-shy making throws into contested coverage off schedule, he’s one of the freest throwers of the sideline fade in the league once he knows he’s got single coverage.

Pro Football Focus’s advanced analytics sort quarterback grades by throw type. On go routes and fade routes (which are conceptually similar), Cousins is tied for the second-most “big-time throws” this season with eight, behind only Tom Brady. His grade on 22 attempts? A robust 93.9 out of 100.

One of his best came in Week 10 on a third-and-6 on the Vikings’ final drive to help clinch a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Jefferson made a back-shoulder adjustment over Tevaughn Campbell to haul in a 27-yard beauty.

Cousins isn’t out there throwing Russell Wilson teardrops all the time either. Some of his fades are back-shoulder bullets, like the one vs. Los Angeles, where he fires it to a spot and expects his star receiver to make the play.

“I think it's important to give him a chance, put the ball in the air long enough where he can adjust to it. There are times too where throwing him a line drive, he's really good at reacting to that as well and kind of beating the defensive back to the spot as well,” Cousins said.