By Robbie Williams

With backup running back Alexander Mattison out — due to receiving an Appendectomy in Week 13, Dalvin Cook having a history of injuries and a scare in Week 12, as well as lacking the luxury to spare another loss this season, the Minnesota Vikings will need all hands on deck to make a real playoff push, and that means Kirk Cousins needs to keep taking the pressure, not only off Dalvin Cook, but also the Vikings defense.

Kirk Cousins has hit his stride the past few weeks, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in each of the last three games, and only giving up one interception against Jacksonville.

That is the level of play the Vikings are going to need against a well rested Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense in Week 14, who’ve shown in their most recent loss to Kansas City that their weakness is in the secondary. If Captain Kirk can’t exploit that weakness, Dalvin Cook isn’t going to be able to save the Vikings’ offense while their’ poor defense struggles against one of the most talented offenses in the league.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the best run defense in the NFL, allowing only 890 yards and 8 touchdowns all season and an average of 3.3 yards per carry; however, the Bucs are 12th in passing defense, which isn’t bad, but it’s the Vikings best bet to beat them.

For a little perspective, the Indianapolis Colts are the best run defense the Vikings have faced all season, the Colts currently rank 8th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, they held Dalvin Cook to 66 yards, and the Vikings lost 28-11. Kirk Cousins also threw for less than 150 yards and gave up three interceptions in that game.

The Buccaneers are sure to be a tougher test and the Vikings can’t afford another game like that from Cousins.

The Bucs’ offense ranks 6th in points scored this season, while the Vikings’ defense is 26th in points allowed, and coming with the Bucs coming off of a bye week it seems there won’t be much the Vikings will be able to do to stop them short of some kind of miracle sent from Thor himself.

The only realistic recipe there is for a Vikings win absolutely requires that Kirk Cousins have one of his best games of the season in order to out score the Buccaneers.

If Cousins can step up and give the Vikings a win against the Bucs, the road ahead for the Vikings will still be tough, but they will have jumped the Bucs in the standings and be in control of their own destiny. Their schedule is favorable after facing the Bucs; other than their matchup with the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, the Vikings play the Bears and the Lions, both of whom they’ve beaten earlier this season.

The Vikings also got lucky with an Arizona Cardinals loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 that levels the playing field. The Vikings also got lucky in pulling out a close over time victory against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, which should have been much easier when considering how poor the Jaguars have been this season.

If the Vikings can stay lucky this week against the Buccaneers and keep Dalvin Cook healthy with the help of Kirk Cousins, they could very well end up a serious playoff contender.

Robbie is a sports writer for La Tonique.