To stop the Vikings, the Packers will have to stop Cousins

By GERY WOELFEL

Kirk Cousins is generally regarded as good quarterback.

But in recent games Cousins has looked great.

His sterling play of late is the biggest reason the Vikings are back on track after a brutal 0-3 start this season.

The 35-year-old Cousins has thrown five touchdown passes while having just one pass intercepted in the last three games.

Cousins was particularly impressive in the Vikings’ last game, a 22-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, a team some observers contend could win the Super Bowl.

In the game against the 49ers, Cousins completed 35 of 45 pass attempts for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

Keeping Cousins in check and preventing him from having another banner game will be absolutely critical if the Green Bay Packers hope to upend the Vikings Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Packers have been stellar against the pass this season, In fact, they rank eighth in the league in passing yards allowed at 193.4 per game.

But the Packers won’t have the services of veteran safety Darnell Savage, who has played well this season. Savage has been placed on the injured list because of a calf problem and will be replaced by Jonathan Owens.

It’ll mark Owens’ first start as a Packer, although he started and played well for the Houston Texans last season. Owens recorded 125 tackles in 17 games last season. That was the second-most tackles on the team.

The Packers might also be without star cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has been slowed by a back injury.

If Alexander plays and if Owens plays solidly, the Packers will have the wherewithal to slow down Cousins and the Vikings’ potent passing game.

If neither occurs, well, it could be a long, cold day for the Packers.

Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 24