Vikings Handle Packers, But Lose Cousins for the Year in the Process

I swear this team is cursed. While the Vikings have their first win over the Packers in the post-Rodgers era (and it wasn't remotely close), they lost their franchise QB in the process. This will likely alter not only the remainder of this season, but future seasons as well.

Final: Minnesota Vikings 24 Green Bay Packers 10
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 23/31 274 yds 2 TD 122.2 rtg
J. Hall 3/4 23 yds 88.5 rtg (1 fumble lost)
RB:
A. Mattison 16 car 31 yds 1.9 avg 10 long (1 rec 2 yds)
C. Akers 9 car 19 yds 2.1 avg 1 TD 9 long (1 rec 6 yds)
WR:
KJ Osborn 8 rec 99 yds 12.4 avg 32 long
TJ Hockenson 6 rec 88 yds 14.7 avg 1 TD 23 long
J. Addison 7 rec 82 yds 11.7 avg 1 TD 20 long
B. Powell 1 rec 10 yds
J. Mundt 1 rec 8 yds
DEF:
J. Metellus 1 INT
DJ Wonnum 2 sacks
D. Hunter 1 sack
H. Phillips 0.5 sack
C. Bynum 0.5 sack
K:
G. Joseph 1/3 FG (25) 3/3 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota didn't get off to the best start. The offense drove down but stalled, and Joseph missed the field goal. However, Green Bay couldn't do anything on offense in the first half, so the Vikings scored on their next drive with their first rushing score of the season. The Vikings would only manage a field goal in the 2nd quarter. Green Bay would also kick a field goal in the 2nd quarter to bring it to a 10-3 halftime score.
In the 2nd half, things changed. Minnesota dominated the 3rd quarter - scoring 2 touchdowns in less then 2 minutes. After a passing score from Cousins to Hockenson, Josh Metellus picked off Jordan Love and the Vikings would score on a touchdown to Addison 1 play later. Green Bay would score their lone touchdown towards the end of the 3rd quarter.
This is where things start to change. About a few minutes into the 4th quarter, Cousins limps off the field after an incompletion on 3rd down. While he was being evaluated, Joseph has his field goal attempt blocked. We found out later what happened to Cousins and it was all that was on anyone's mind. The Vikings defense held up their end of the deal and did not allow another point from Green Bay even though they ended up in the redzone a couple times.

Injury Update
As of the moment of this writing, I am fairly certain that Cousins suffered an achilles injury. This is what HC Kevin O'Connell feared last night and I don't deem it likely that its the wrong diagnosis. If this is confirmed today with an MRI, Cousins' season is likely over and potentially his time in Minnesota along with it.
KJ Osborn briefly left the game in the 4th quarter with an ankle injury.

NFC North
Honestly, this injury changes the entire trajectory of the season. Minnesota could decide to trade for a QB replacement, but many local sources say this is unlikely. The Vikings will most likely roll with rookie QB Jaren Hall or backup QB Nick Mullens who is eligible to come off IR this week. Their last on-roster option would be practice squad QB Sean Mannion who had been with the team for the last 4-5 seasons. Minnesota season is likely over, or at least very different without their franchise QB. If they finish how I think they will now, Detroit is really the only viable team from the North to make the playoffs. Green Bay doesn't look too good, and Chicago is a mess.

Up Next
Next Sunday, the Vikings will head to Atlanta for a 12 PM CT date with the Falcons.

​#Skol