Over the course of the last 10 years, the Vikings offensive line has been a constant issue. This year, it’s felt much improved despite the glaring weakness that still exists at right guard.
Pressure is the most important stat when it comes to quarterbacks, as getting to the quarterback can impact so many elements of a play.
Teams have been able to get to Kirk Cousins often this year. Right guard Ed Ingram continues to lead the NFL in pressures with 49 on the season (per PFF) and Cousins has been hit an astounding 67 times, more than any other quarterback this season. That number is 10 times more than Justin Herbert, who has been hit 57 times on the year.
sifting through stats and learning that Kirk Cousins has been hit a league leading 67 times this year pic.twitter.com/PUNkdnNwj5
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 13, 2022
Despite the copious amounts of pressure that Cousins has had to deal with, he has performed relatively well. On the 203 dropbacks that Cousins has been pressured, he has completed 51.2% of his passes for 1,279 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Those numbers aren’t phenomenal but they are good. PFF agrees, as his grade under pressure is above-average at 66.8.
The Vikings need to find a way to protect Cousins better, but he is performing in spite of the issues in pass protection.