Kirk Cousins Plays His Best When Utilizing the Play Action Pass

QB Kirk Cousins was drafted by Washington in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, in the same class as 2nd overall pick Robert Griffin III. He eventually took over as the full-time starter in 2015 and led the team to an NFC East division title. Following the 2017 season, Cousins decided that it was time for a change of scenery and signed an unprecedented three-year FULLY guaranteed deal with the Minnesota Vikings, finding great success in taking advantage of the play action pass.

Kirk Cousins has the highest career PASS RTG (103.6) and most season CMP (425 during 2018) in Minnesota #Vikings history pic.twitter.com/jcQppDmIIW
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 20, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

Most PASS TD (40) among all NFL Quarterbacks on play action plays since 2018
Led the NFL in PASS TD (14) on play action passes during 2019
Washington ranks: 1st in career CMP% (65.5) & PASS YDS/GP (261.4)
Washington ranks: 1st in season PASS YDS (4,917), CMP% (69.8), CMP (406), & PASS YDS/GP (307.3)
Washington ranks: 2nd in season PASS TD (29) & career GWD (12), 4th in career PASS YDS (16,206)
Most season PASS YDS in DC history: 1. ’16 Kirk (4,917), 2. ’15 Kirk (4,166), 3. ’86 Jay Schroeder (4,109), 4. ’17 Kirk (4,093)
Highest career PASS RTG (103.6) & most season CMP (425 during 2018) in Vikings history
T-most 4th quarter PASS TD (13) in the NFL during 2020

MAIN TAKEAWAY

KIRK COUSINS PLAYS HIS BEST WHEN UTILIZING THE PLAY ACTION PASS

COLORS KEY | FULL VIKINGS OUTLOOK

Though he hasn’t received the same notoriety as stars like Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins has made a name for himself as one of the best play action passers in the league. This type of play involves faking a handoff to the running back on a passing play to keep the defense off balance by thinking a run play is coming, but it’s actually a rollout pass. Cousins has performed incredibly well with this advantage, which has opened up the offense and greatly improved his passer rating.

Play action passes are best when the defense fears the run game, which has certainly been the case for Vikings opponents ever since the emergence of RB Dalvin Cook. However, it also requires poise and accuracy from the quarterback to react quickly and find the open receiver. As a 2x Pro Bowler, Cousins has shown that he has the ability to effectively execute play actions and elevate his performance as he leads all QBs in play-action PASS TD (40) since 2018 and is gaining a reputation as a “play-action boss.“

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Captain Kirk’s DC highlights

https://twitter.com/PSO_Sports/status/1428547156294742018

Most PASS YDS during 1 season in #WashingtonFootball history:
1. 2016 Kirk Cousins (4,917)
2. 2015 Kirk Cousins (4,166)
3. 1986 Jay Schroeder (4,109)
4. 2017 Kirk Cousins (4,093)
5. 1999 Brad Johnson (4,005)
https://t.co/mHDL9J93Cm
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 20, 2021

Top plays from the 2019 season

Kirk Cousins has the highest career PASS RTG (103.6) and most season CMP (425 during 2018) in Minnesota #Vikings history pic.twitter.com/jcQppDmIIW
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 20, 2021

Kirk can deliver in the clutch

Kirk was clutch in 2020.

Kirk Cousins had the t-most 4th Qtr PASS TD (13) in the NFL during 2020
pic.twitter.com/iKZJIhIzlg
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 20, 2021