First cousin syndrome
0NFL Week 13 Preview
By Hamish Girvan
NFL Quarterback Kirk Cousins is perhaps the most over rated player in the league considering the salary and demand he got during the offseason. These two games feature his current and former teams.
The first thing Cousins did on his multi million contract was got his 2000 model fan modified
Minnesota Vikings at the New England Patriots Monday 10.25am NZ Time
When Kirk Cousins became a free agent in the off season, he had a number of teams courting him. Not prepared to stay with the Washington Redskins he selected the Vikings for a mouth-watering 3 year deal worth US$84M. You would think this would have been the kick start to an NFC Championship that the Vikings needed however Minnesota now find themselves behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, and that’s with a Green Bay team that usually clean up the North at their worst and out of contention. Here they come to New England to face that the Patriots that we all know hit their peak post-Thanksgiving. Perennial AFC Champions, the Patriots have an advantage of being in a continually weak AFC East division, however they know how to get the job done when it counts. Cousins needs to play well here not only to win the game but also prove that’s he’s worth what he was paid and promised. New England are a 4.5-point favourite here which is probably spot on. This should not be a cake walk however if Cousins gets fooled by Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s game plan it could be a long night. Pick New England Patriots -4.5
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles Tuesday 2.15pm NZ time
Cousins left his previous team the Washington Redskins after starting his career there as a back up to Robert Griffin III however he got the starting job due to both form and injury. He played well however was not paid what he thought he should get (and at the time he was probably right). Post Cousins the Redskins traded for veteran Alex Smith who they knew would do a solid job and run an offence that suited the players around him. Unfortunately, Smith broke his leg in horrific style and back up Colt McCoy is now the starter. Could he be Kirk Cousin is disguise ? Probably not as being in the back since 2014 his time may have passed to be a starter however last week in their loss to the Dallas Cowboys McCoy, although threw 3 interceptions, did not look out of his depth. Here they face a Philadelphia Eagles team that are finally clicking even though they are only squeaking through. A win is a win. Here the Eagles are 6.5-point favourites however now McCoy has had some time to adjust as a starter it may be closer than this – divisional games usually are. Pick Washington Redskins +6.5
Week 13 games are overshadowed by one of Superbowl’s favourites, The Kansas City Chiefs, correctly releasing star Running Back Kareem Hunt over a female assault incident released to the media on Saturday.
The Chiefs made a right and swift call however how this will affect both the team and overall game plan will be evident over the next few games.
Follow Hamish Girvan on Twitter