Shannon Sharpe blasts Kirk Cousins over yet another Vikings meltdown

Kirk Cousins entered Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season in a key matchup for the outlook of the NFL Playoffs. When the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers faced off in a high-stakes matchup, serious postseason implications were on the line for both teams. The Vikings are still battling for the number one overall seed in the NFC, while the Packers are trying to earn a Wild Card spot.

Cousins has built a bit of an unfortunate reputation during his career of being a quarterback who often plays his worst brand of football in the biggest moments of the year. This is an accurate description of his performance in Week 17. The Vikings were blown out 41-17, while Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions. He also failed to record a touchdown until the fourth quarter of the game.

Shannon Sharpe recently discussed the poor performance during an episode of Undisputed, saying:

"I just don't have the utmost confidence in Cousins. Because I see a guy that's an overachiever, that's underconfident. And so you see how Green Bay started to attack him. And so now Jefferson is getting more frustrated, because I'm not getting the ball. I've gone a whole quarter and I ain't got one target. So now they know, and Jaire knows, I got it now. He's frustrated. And so even when the ball comes his way, he's so focused on beating me, that now he loses concentration."

Sharpe shredded Kirk Cousins for his disappointing outing in yet another big spot. He also heavily blamed Cousins for his failure to involve Justin Jefferson in the offense, despite being covered by Jaire Alexander. Jefferson was targeted just five times, recording one reception for 15 yards.

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Kirk Cousins' failure to target Justin Jefferson largely contributes to Vikings' Week 17 loss to Packers

Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson has recorded 124 receptions on 179 targets for 1,771 yards during the 2022 NFL season. He leads the entire league in all three categories. It's inexcusable that Kirk Cousins failed to get him more involved in Week 17. While Jaire Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, the Vikings' offense is elite when Jefferson plays a major role.

In three of the Vikings' four losses this year, Jefferson has recorded fewer than 50 receiving yards. They also have an impressive 9-1 record when he accounts for more than six receptions. There is a direct correlation between his production and the Vikings' results in games this year.

Justin Jefferson can only perform when the quarterback throws him the ball. A huge part of the blame for his disappearance in Week 17 needs to be on Kirk Cousins. It's a major factor as to why they were blown away by the Packers.

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If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Undisputed and H/T Sportskeeda.