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How the Redskins got here: The Kirk Cousins revenge game

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins listens to the National Anthem before a game against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins listens to the National Anthem before a game against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Aftermath for Vikings, Redskins after contract

Now a year-and-a-half removed from Cousins’ big decision, the Redskins and the Vikings are in very different places. But the common thread is that the team’s disappointed in 2018.

The Redskins obviously made a trade to get Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs when it became clear that Cousins was leaving. They dealt a third-round pick and Kendall Fuller for the veteran quarterback. Out of the gate, he led them to a 6-3 record in nine starts and had them looking like a Wild Card contender at the very least.

But then, disaster struck when he suffered a gruesome leg injury against the Houston Texans. That ended his 2018 season, will keep him out for 2019, and it well could have ended his career. Thankfully, his leg has recovered to an extent and he no longer has to walk around with a massive leg-saving brace attached to his leg.

With Smith out, the Redskins turned to three different starters in Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Johnson to close the ’18 season. None could do much to power the team to the postseason.

In 2019, they are still searching for their quarterback. Case Keenum — the starter for the Vikings when they went to the NFC Championship Game — and McCoy have made starts this year, but the team is 1-6 heading into Week 8 against the Vikings. First-round rookie Dwayne Haskins is waiting in the wings for his opportunity, but it won’t likely come until later in the season.

As for the Vikings, they came up well short of expectations in Cousins’ first year. He completed over 70 percent of his passes and threw for 30 touchdowns, but the numbers were mostly hollow. The Vikings finished 8-7-1 with a roster that was largely similar to the one that had gone to the NFC Championship Game the year before, albeit with some downgrades on the offensive line. It was a huge disappointment for Cousins, but it was one that many Redskins fans expected.

In 2019, Cousins has led the Vikings to a 5-2 record so far and is in the midst of a hot streak, coming off big wins against the Eagles and Lions. He has the Vikings on the right track, but will it last? That’s what many are looking to find out.

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