Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is tied for the league lead with 14 touchdown passes and ranks fifth with 1,582 passing yards through six weeks, providing a significant lift to an offense that finished last in scoring a year ago. Las Vegas is averaging 27 points per game, good for sixth in the NFL, and has scored at least 26 points in five of six contests.
The production comes despite the league's 31st-ranked rushing attack, which is averaging just 3 yards per carry. Coach Klint Kubiak, who worked with Cousins as offensive coordinator in Minnesota in 2021, said the quarterback's success stems from a strong offseason. "You just keep stacking days, and whether it's the quarterback position, any position, safety, guard. I think when you just can stack days, it builds confidence," Kubiak said.
Cousins, 38, said he is constantly refining his footwork, progressions, decision-making and leadership. "You're always being tested — mentally, physically, emotionally, and every day you're asking yourself, am I meeting the standard to win a championship?" Cousins said. He noted that while 90 percent of his play has been good, the 10 percent that falls short of championship standard is what concerns him.
The veteran quarterback said he has also learned from his younger backups, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell. Cousins asked Mendoza to teach him back-shoulder throws after studying his tape, and O'Connell provided film study that helped Cousins connect with tight end Brock Bowers against the Patriots after a miss against the Chiefs. "So, you're constantly trying to learn from guys because they do have experiences that you haven't," Cousins said.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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