Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Cousins ranked 7th among 12 playoff QBs
How do quarterbacks of the NFL’s 12 playoff teams stack up?
ESPN’s Seth Walder recently ranked the dozen passers and explained his list took into account the 2019 season and current play – not career performance – and was “heavily informed” by two sets of metrics:
1. Total QBR (quarterback rating is different from passer rating) and expected points added per play
2. Completion percentage over expectation and completed air yards over expectation
Walder ranked Cousins seventh and wrote the following:
The forever-underrated Cousins put together a strong 2019 campaign even if his regular season ended ugly against Green Bay. As with [Texans QB Deshaun] Watson, there was a moment midseason in which he looked as though he was on the cusp of the MVP debate. Though he faded from that spot, Vikings fans should still be happy with the season they got out of their quarterback, who is signed through the 2020 season.
Walder opined that Cousins’ biggest strength is accuracy.
Cousins put up above-average completion percentage over expectation numbers across every depth, ranked third in completed air yards over expectation per attempt and had the fifth-lowest off-target percentage in the league. A second strength is his ability to throw on the run. Cousins completion percentage over expectation was best in the league on those throws.
As for weakness, Walder pointed out that Cousins’ QBR is 6 when under pressure, which ranks 26th overall in the NFL.
Walder’s full ranking was as follows: Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Drew Brees (Saints), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Watson, Cousins, Carson Wentz (Eagles), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Tom Brady (Patriots), Aaron Rodgers (Packers) and Josh Allen (Bills).