5 takeaways from the Vikings 23-7 win over the Packers

The Minnesota Vikings coming out a 23-7 victor wasn’t a surprise but how it went down was one.

Kirk Cousins looked better than Aaron Rodgers, the defense was excellent in every facet and head coach Kevin O’Connell looked like a cagey veteran in his head coaching debut.

While there were a lot of things to look at concerning the first game of the Vikings 2022 season, we identified five takeaways that stood out from Sunday’s win over the Packers.

Kevin O’Connell is as advertised offensively

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell celebrates after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

It didn’t take long for O’Connell to put his stamp on this Vikings offense.

Early and often, he utilized motion and schemed Justin Jefferson open with relative ease. His first touchdown catch was on a fourth down and it was a play we saw Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams use for years.

The real benefit from a scheming perspective already showed its hand with O’Connell getting Jefferson across from an edge rusher in Preston Smith. That is going to play massive dividends for the Vikings moving forward.

Kirk Cousins is extremely confident

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) meet after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest issues with Cousins over the course of his time with the Vikings is that he is unwilling to let it rip down the field with any form of consistency. One of the better deep throwers in the league, Cousins has wanted things to be perfect too often which has hurt the Vikings too often.

In Sunday’s game against the Packers, Cousins showed much-improved confidence. It showed on multiple plays but none more so than when he maneuvered in the pocket and hit Justin Jefferson on a deep crossing route in the second quarter. This is exactly what we have wanted from Cousins and it will be dynamite if he can keep it up.

The interior is still an issue

Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) and quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in action during the game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory…