Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins was ripped on Twitter for his questionable decisions on the final meaningful play of Sunday’s playoff loss to the New York Giants.

The Vikings needed to convert on 4th-and-8 from near midfield to keep their season alive, trailing by a touchdown and out of timeouts with 1:44 left in regulation. You would expect that the QB would throw a pass at least close to the first down marker, if not beyond it.

Cousins decided on a throw to TE T.J. Hockenson three yards from the line of scrimmage with a defender breathing down the receiver’s neck. Why not look for your All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson? Even if he’s triple covered, I would try to get it to him. Go down with attempting to get the ball to your best player.

The defense here would be that Cousins was about to get drilled by Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and does not have the mobility to escape. It was either throw it to someone or get crushed on a game-ending sack. The optics of the play looks bad, and Cousins took the brunt of the blame on social media.

Cousins had a solid game. He put up good numbers. Passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. That last play is all that anyone will remember, though.

It will be a long off-season for the Vikings and their QB.

Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. Photo courtsey of AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

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