Vikings at Packers: Kirk Cousins returns to Lambeau, now in purple again
Minnesota (6-2) traded for Cousins at the deadline and starts him Sunday against a Green Bay team (6-3) missing Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs.
Every team in the NFC North has at least six wins, and Sunday's game at Lambeau Field (noon CT, 18:00 UTC, FOX) is a chance for both teams to gain ground in a crowded division. The Minnesota Vikings are 6-2 but have lost two straight. The Green Bay Packers are 6-3 and head into a bye after this one.
Cousins, again
The biggest story is under center for Minnesota. The Vikings traded for Kirk Cousins at Tuesday's deadline in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, CBS Sports reports, and head coach Kevin O'Connell named him Friday as Sunday's starter. Kyler Murray has been ruled out, according to the team's final injury report.
Cousins played nine games for the Raiders this season. Per Vikings.com, he completed 202 of 315 passes for 2,340 yards with 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 97.1 passer rating.
"He's accurate, he's a great decision maker," O'Connell said. Jordan Addison put it more simply: "It felt like he never left. The chemistry is still there." Addison himself is questionable with a thumb injury.
Asking a quarterback to start a road divisional game within a week of arriving is a lot, even one who knows the system and most of the receivers. How cleanly the operation runs will matter more than any single throw.
Short-handed on both sides
Minnesota will be without tight end T.J. Hockenson, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, linebacker Blake Cashman and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, all ruled out. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy and safety Joshua Metellus are questionable.
Green Bay's list is just as significant. Edge rusher Micah Parsons and running back Josh Jacobs are out, along with center/guard Sean Rhyan and tight end Josh Whyle, per Packers.com. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is doubtful, and seven more players are questionable, including safety Xavier McKinney and guard Kevin Zeitler. On Parsons, Matt LaFleur said, "He looks great, but he just doesn't have a ton of reps under his belt."
The rematch
The Vikings won the Week 1 meeting 39-22 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Green Bay's passing game still produced in that one. Packers.com notes Christian Watson had six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns, and Jordan Love has thrown for 385-plus yards in two of his last four games against Minnesota. With Jacobs out, Love and the passing game may have to carry even more of the load.
History says expect it to be close. According to Packers.com, 27 of the last 48 regular-season meetings were decided by seven points or fewer. Green Bay leads the regular-season series 66-61-3. Over the last 10 meetings in Torch's data, Minnesota has won six.
Why it matters
A win would put Green Bay level with Minnesota in the loss column heading into its bye. A loss would leave the Packers swept by the Vikings with half a season to go, which would hurt in any tiebreaker. For Minnesota, it is a chance to stop a two-game slide and find out quickly whether bringing Cousins back steadies the offense.