Falcons’ Kirk Cousins ​​returns to Minnesota to “get back off the mat” after recent rough patch.

Minnesota seems to agree. If any franchise knows Cousins’ performance potential, it’s the one he led to two playoff appearances between 2018 and 2023.

The last time Cousins ​​played for the Vikings, he was playing the best football of his career, so much so that he was in the midst of building an NFL MVP case when a torn Achilles ended his season and second half the season was still to be played. Since then, he’s changed teams and cities, signed a new contract, gotten acquainted with an entirely new organization and is still getting used to an offensive scheme that’s not quite the same as the one he ran in Minnesota was successful.

However, the Vikings aren’t fooled by his recent struggles. You have too much evidence to assume otherwise.

“I know he had a tough game last week, but he played good football,” Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. “I think the people in this building know what Kirk can do. He’s a very, very good quarterback.”

Anyone familiar with Flores’ style knows that he puts a lot of pressure on Cousins, which may work in the quarterback’s favor. Another coach known for his blitz play – Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles – watched Cousins ​​dismantle his Buccaneers, throwing for nearly 800 yards and eight total touchdowns in their two meetings this season.

“As we all know, he’s a guy who likes to retire,” Flores said. “I expect his best, the best version of Kirk, the best version of this offense. It will be a big challenge for us.”

Cousins ​​knows there’s another challenge waiting for him in Minneapolis: the Vikings fans, who Cousins ​​expects will be “as hostile as possible toward us.”

There will be few memories on Sunday when Cousins ​​returns to Minnesota, where the Vikings have a 10-2 record and are in a tight NFC North race as one of the NFL’s top surprises in 2024.

He must find the strength within himself to overcome adversity, get back on track and lead Atlanta to victory.

“You just have to believe that tough times don’t last, tough people do,” Cousins ​​said. “You have to keep going.”