Minnesota Vikings: 3 Players that must shine vs. Cowboys in Week 10

2. Kirk Cousins

During Minnesota’s four-game winning streak that ended in the Week 9 last-second loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Kirk Cousins took his game to the next level while proving to everyone around the league that he was worthy of the large contract he received from the Vikings when he signed with the team in free agency prior to the 2018 season.

In that four-game stretch, Cousins was able to open things up on the offensive side of the ball for Minnesota while also opening up more opportunities for the running game and star running back Dalvin Cook in the flow of the offensive attack.

Last week, Cousins appeared to be off throughout the course of the game, missing throws to various wide receivers and targets on offense that he normally has made up to this point in the year for Minnesota.

In the game in Kansas City, Cousins finished with 220 passing through the air with three touchdowns, which is a nice stat line for the veteran quarterback. But he managed to convert on just 50 percent of his passes in the defeat, going 19-of-38 under center while averaging just 5.8 yards per pass in the game.

On Sunday Night Football this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys on the road, Cousins will be faced with another large challenge on the national stage, where he has struggled so far throughout his career to this point.

In order for the Vikings to go into Dallas and AT&T Stadium and steal a game on the road against the Cowboys in Week 10, they will need their star quarterback to return to form that he was in during Minnesota’s winning streak earlier in the year and will need Cousins to shine in the contest.