Kirk Cousins: Record against winning teams

Kirk Cousins is one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks in the NFL. Statistically, he has put together an amazing career. Unfortunately for him, his teams have been mostly average. That has caused his legacy to be looked at in a certain light. Whether fair or not, people expect quarterbacks like Cousins who make top money to win big games. It was interesting to see the narrative change about Cousins after everyone got to see his story from another perspective in the hit series ‘Quarterback’ on Netflix.

During the 2023 season, Cousins finished with a losing record vs teams who finished the season above .500. Unfortunately his season was cut short after injuring his achilles against the Green Bay Packers. He was just finding his stride and the Vikings were turning the corner.

Let’s take a look at how many times teams with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback have won games against teams with a winning record.

The reason for QB wins against winning teams

I started to dive into this stat for every quarterback because the new hot argument is to say that a certain quarterback didn’t beat any good teams. I often see people use this argument to say players like Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford are not good and just put up empty stats. At the end of the day, there is much more to the story.

Most importantly, quarterback wins are a team statistic. A great example of that is how Stafford had a horrible record with Detroit and won a Super Bowl after being traded to the LA Rams. Additionally, very few quarterbacks in the NFL have a winning record against teams who finished the season above .500 in the league. Most losses for everyone come against good teams. Go figure.

There are a lot of moving parts involved in football. While winning and losing is the most important stat, it is one that unfairly gets attributed to quarterbacks.

Kirk Cousins record against winning teams?

Kirk Cousins is 16-46 (.258) against teams with a winning record during his entire career.

Kirk Cousins vs winning teams (Minnesota Vikings 2018-2022)

With the Minnesota Vikings from 2018-23, Kirk Cousins was 12-27 (.308) against winning teams as the starting quarterback.

During the 2023 NFL season, Kirk Cousins had a record of 2-3 against teams with a winning record before his season was cut short due to an Achilles injury. This performance was part of a broader context where his career record against winning teams has been a point of scrutiny, as he has struggled historically in such matchups​

Kirk Cousins vs winning teams (Washington Commanders 2012-2017)

With the Washington Commanders from 2012-17, Kirk Cousins was 4-19 (.173) against winning teams as the starting quarterback.

With the Washington Commanders from 2012-17, Kirk Cousins was 4-19 (.173) against winning teams as the starting quarterback. This struggle can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Commanders often lacked a consistent and reliable supporting cast around Cousins. The offensive line frequently dealt with injuries and inconsistency, which hindered both the running game and pass protection, putting additional pressure on Cousins to perform under duress. Additionally, the team’s defense during those years was often porous, ranking near the bottom of the league in key defensive metrics, which forced the offense into many high-pressure, come-from-behind situations.

Moreover, the Commanders’ coaching instability played a significant role. During Cousins’ tenure, the team went through multiple head coaches and offensive coordinators, leading to a lack of continuity in offensive schemes and play-calling. This inconsistency likely hampered Cousins’ ability to develop a strong rapport with his coaches and teammates, as the team was frequently in a state of flux. Finally, facing the NFC East’s tough competition, including consistently strong teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, compounded the difficulty of securing wins against winning teams. All these factors combined to create an environment where sustained success against top-tier competition was challenging to achieve.

What quarterbacks have a winning record against winning teams?

As seen on our master QB record vs winning teams chart, there are only a handful of NFL quarterbacks that have a record above .500 against winning teams.

You can digest that information on your own. The main thing I want you to take away from this is that it is extremely rare to have a winning record against teams that finished the season with a winning record.

Kirk Cousins against winning teams conclusion

Kirk Cousins is a unique case because he has performed very well in many of the losses. When you really dig into it, this stat is more a product of bad luck than poor performance.

Football is a true team game and Cousins hasn’t always had the best team or most consistent team around him. That is heavily impacting his record. Some make the argument that he just isn’t a winner and I would urge them to look at it more critically.

Kirk Cousins now steps into the role of starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a reputation as a proficient passer. Known for his accuracy and ability to make quick decisions, Cousins is expected to provide a stabilizing presence for the Falcons’ offense. His transition to Atlanta could mark a fresh start, potentially allowing him to leverage the strengths of the Falcons’ roster. With playmakers like Drake London at wide receiver and Kyle Pitts at tight end, Cousins will have talented targets to throw to, which should enhance his ability to move the ball effectively and produce points.

As the Falcons look to improve their standing in the NFC South, Cousins’ experience in high-pressure situations and his leadership will be crucial. He has demonstrated an ability to perform well in regular-season games, and the hope is that he can elevate the team’s performance in critical moments against tough opponents. The key to Cousins’ success in Atlanta will be the support he receives from the offensive line and the running game, areas where the Falcons have shown promise but need consistency. If the Falcons can provide Cousins with a clean pocket and a balanced attack, we can expect him to deliver solid performances and potentially lead Atlanta to a playoff berth. This season will be a significant test for both Cousins and the Falcons as they aim to capitalize on this new chapter and make a strong push in a competitive division.