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Cousins makes unfortunate history following loss vs. Eagles
Kirk Cousins Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins makes impressive, unfortunate history following loss vs. Eagles

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has had a historic start to his 2023 season.

While the four-time Pro Bowler's 708 passing yards and career-high 72.7% completion percentage are eye-popping -- not to mention his career-best 114.2 quarterback rating -- there have been other parts of his game that have contributed to the Vikings' 0-2 start.

Cousins has already lost three fumbles over the first two games, including one during the team's Week 2 "Thursday Night Football" game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, it's been a mostly positive mixed bag for the 35-year-old in the early going.

After going 33-for-44 for 344 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Minnesota's season-opening upset loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins nearly brought the Vikings all the way back from a 20-point second half deficit against the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the night 31-for-44 for 364 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

The rest of Minnesota's offense had three of the team's four turnovers, however, as running back Alexander Mattison lost a first-quarter fumble, wide receiver Justin Jefferson fumbled into the end zone in the second quarter (resulting in a touchback) and punt returner Brandon Powell coughed up a fumble on one of his returns as well.

Just as crucial as the turnovers in the defeat were the Vikings' inability to stop the Eagles' rushing attack and their lack of a run game.

Minnesota's defense gave up 5.4 yards per carry on the night and saw Philadelphia offseason acquisition D'Andre Swift shred his way to 175 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Mattison, meanwhile, was limited to 28 rushing yards on just eight attempts.

The Vikings will be back home in Week 3 and look to get in the win column when they play the Los Angeles Chargers at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 24.

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