It’s the worst news amid good news with the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins.

The Vikings‘ quarterback suffered what the team fears is a season-ending Achilles’ tear. Coach Kevin O’Connell said that Cousins had an initial exam that confirmed the team’s worst fear, and an MRI will have a final say Monday.

O’Connell talked about Cousins at length after the game, but part of the time it sounded like something of a season obituary.

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“Played the quarterback position as well as anybody in our league,” O’Connell said of Cousins. “Thinking of Kirk. Our locker room, every single player in our locker room, thinking about our leader, our guy right now. I’m just so proud of him. Proud of the way he’s played all season long.

“Whatever is the case, if we don’t have him for one snap or the duration of our season, that will not change what I think of the level Kirk Cousins played to this year and ultimately what he meant to me and our organization.”

With Cousins Gone, Vikings Turn to . . .

Now, the Vikings are without the player who was second in the NFL in TD passes when Sunday dawned, and it likely means they are without a ton of good options.

The Vikings need options, because their record is 4-4, and they are in second place in the NFC North. They’ve won three consecutive games, including Sunday’s 24-10 victory at Green Bay.

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The Vikings, under normal circumstances, would be feeling that they have a solid chance to make the postseason. The fact is that they are the NFC’s seventh seed as you read this.

But these are obviously not normal circumstances. Teams that lose their starting quarterback for most of the season are never operating under normal circumstances.

So what to do next?

Viking Coach O’Connell Needs a Backup Plan

Backup Nick Mullens is on injured reserve and cannot return for another two weeks, so that’s not it at the moment.

The team signed Sean Mannion a couple of weeks ago because of his familiarity in the O’Connell offense. But Mannion, 31, has started only three NFL games, and his team lost them all.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.  (Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)

And, yes, third-stringer-turned-backup-turned-Cousins-replacement-Sunday Jaran Hall is on the team. He finished Sunday’s game and completed three of four passes for 23 yards in the process. But young Mr. Hall is a rookie selected in the fifth round out of BYU and definitely needs more seasoning.

So if the Vikings are hoping to salvage this season, the next man up might not the course to take.

And this is where I remind you that the NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

And maybe general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can pull a proverbial rabbit out of his hat. He would need a proverbial rabbit that can throw the ball 65 yards and knows or can quickly learn the O’Connell offense quickly.

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Case Keenum Leads Litany of Possibilities

Not too many of those rabbits out in the wild.

The most obvious choice for the Vikings to go and try to solve their immediate issue by trying to trade for Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum.

Keenum is the No. 3 quarterback in Houston and is typically inactive on game days, so he can be had. Keenum is quite familiar with O’Connell, because O’Connell was the QB coach in Washington in 2019 when Keenum was there.

But there are issues: First, the Texans have told teams that have asked about Keenum that they’re not interested in trading him.

Obviously no one has offered the type of value that might change the Texans’ thinking, but that’s the point. The Vikings would have to pay a significant pick, perhaps a fourth- or even a third-rounder for the mere chance to land a backup-caliber quarterback they’ll be inserting in the starting lineup.

Keenum, it must be noted, did help lead the Vikings to the playoffs in 2017.

Justin Jefferson, #18 of the Minnesota Vikings, talks to Kirk Cousins, #8 of the Minnesota Vikings, after their 28-24 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Matt Ryan Among The Available Free Agents

One NFL executive suggested to OutKick that the Vikings should reach out to the Washington Commanders and join the list of teams that have asked about experienced backup Jacoby Brissett.

The Vikings might also consider a call to the Los Angeles Rams, who run a system somewhat similar to what the Vikings do, and maybe ask about Stetson Bennett. Yeah, it’s a stretch.

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Josh Johnson, who played under O’Connell in Washington in 2018, is on the Ravens’ roster. He’s Baltimore’s No. 3 quarterback. So perhaps a trade there?

On the free agent front . . . .

Matt Ryan is available and has said that he’d consider leaving the broadcast booth for the right assignment.

Carson Wentz is available and has made overtures to different teams about his availability.

Joe Flacco and Nick Foles are also available, and Flacco definitely would welcome the chance to get with a team.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks off the field after getting sacked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Minneapolis.  (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

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There are no awesome options for the Vikings, but that’s how it is for a team that wants to salvage a season despite losing its starting quarterback.

Geno Smith threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 38 seconds left, and the Seattle Seahawks rallied for a 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns after blowing an early 14-point lead on Sunday.

After struggling for long stretches against the best defense in the NFL, Smith was sensational on Seattle’s final drive. He connected on four of five passes, the last of which was a quick screen to Smith-Njigba. The rookie first-round pick used a terrific block from DK Metcalf on the perimeter to sneak down the sideline and score the second touchdown of his career.

Seattle (5-2) gave themselves a chance by intercepting Cleveland quarterback P.J. Walker near midfield with 1:57 remaining.

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On third-and-3 at the Browns 41, Walker tried to throw a quick slant to Amari Cooper. The throw deflected off the helmet of blitzing safety Jamal Adams and flew nearly 20 yards downfield, where it fell into the arms of Julian Love.

Seattle took possession at its 43, and Smith needed five plays to find the end zone.

Smith finished 23 of 37 for 254 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Smith’s first pick came at the end of the first half with Seattle in position to get points, and he also took a sack from Myles Garrett midway through the fourth quarter that knocked Seattle out of field goal range while trailing 20-17.

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Wide receiver Jake Bobo rushed for a three-yard touchdown, and Smith threw a 12-yard touchdown to Tyler Lockett as Seattle took a 14-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. Then the Seahawks’ offense came to a stop for most of the final three quarters.

Walker was 15 of 31 for 248 yards and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to David Njoku in the first quarter. Most of Walker’s success through the air came on screen passes, and the Browns (4-3) leaned heavily on a three-man run game.

P.J. Walker, #10 of the Cleveland Browns, looks to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 29 in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong Jr. and Jerome Ford combined for 137 yards on 33 carries. Hunt scored on a one-yard TD run in the second quarter, but the Browns settled for field goals of 25 and 27 yards from Dustin Hopkins in the third quarter when drives stalled after moving inside the Seattle 10.

Njoku finished with four catches for 77 yards, while Cooper had six receptions for 89 yards.

Walker had three total turnovers while making his second start in place of Deshaun Watson, who has a lingering shoulder injury. Walker was intercepted by Riq Woolen in the first half and fumbled on a sack by Jordyn Brooks in the first quarter, helping Seattle take its early lead.

BACK TO THE ’90s

It ended up being a memorable day for Seattle to break out its throwback uniforms with the original color scheme the franchise had from 1976 to 2001. The blue jerseys and silver helmets popped on a perfect, sunny fall day, and the field was decorated with the logos and end-zone colors used by the Seahawks when they played in the Kingdome.

Seattle will wear the uniforms again on November 30 at Dallas. Fans have clamored for the team to go back to the design permanently.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, #11 of the Seattle Seahawks, scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field on October 29, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

INJURIES

Cleveland’s starting cornerback Greg Newsome II left in the first half with a groin injury and was ruled out early in the second half. The Browns also lost starting right tackle Dawand Jones in the third quarter to a shoulder injury. He was replaced by James Hudson.

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UP NEXT

Browns: Host Arizona next Sunday.

Seahawks: At Baltimore next Sunday.

Gus Edwards ran for two of his three touchdowns following interceptions by Baltimore’s stout defense, and the Ravens beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-24 on Sunday.

A week after blowing out Detroit 38-6, the AFC North-leading Ravens (6-2) labored offensively.

The Cardinals (1-7) prevented Lamar Jackson from scrambling for more than a few yards at a time and the Ravens finished with 268 total yards. Jackson threw for 157 yards on 18-of-27 passing and ran for 18 yards on four carries.

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Baltimore’s defense made up for its struggling offense.

The Ravens harassed quarterback Joshua Dobbs all afternoon, forcing two interceptions and a fumble. Dobbs threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns, the second a 1-yard score to Marquise Brown with 1:14 left.

Arizona recovered the onside kick and Matt Prater kicked a 47-yard field goal, but the Cardinals couldn’t come up with another onside kick and lost their fifth straight.

The good news for Arizona: Quarterback Kyler Murray returned to practice this week for the first time since tearing an ACL last season.

Dobbs was sharp early in his eighth straight start, scoring on 1-yard sneak to cap a 75-yard game-opening drive.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz.  (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The fourth-year quarterback wasn’t quite as good after that.

The Cardinals turned it over on downs near midfield twice and Dobbs had a pass intercepted by Brandon Stephens on an overthrow.

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It didn’t get any better in the second half.

Dobbs fumbled on a sack — the Cardinals recovered — and had a pass intercepted by Geno Stone at Arizona’s 23 when he tried to throw into double coverage. Edwards scored on a 7-yard run three plays later to put Baltimore up 21-7.

Arizona tight end Trey McBride bulled his way through several defenders for a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Edwards answered with a 1-yard score to put the Ravens up 31-15.

The Ravens had a similar start and stutter.

Jackson hit 6 of 7 passes for 64 yards on Baltimore’s first drive, finding tight end Mark Andrews in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard score.

The Ravens had 64 yards of offense the rest of the half, taking a 14-7 lead on Edwards’ 1-yard touchdown dive following Dobbs’ first interception.

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TARGETING HOLLYWOOD

The Cardinals wasted no time getting the ball to Brown in his first game against his former team.

The receiver known as “Hollywood” caught a 7-yard pass on Arizona’s first play and later induced a pass interference against Marion Humphrey in the end zone, setting up Dobbs’ TD sneak.

Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz.  (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Brown finished with six catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. He played three seasons for the Ravens before being sent to Arizona in a draft day trade last year.

INJURIES

Cardinals LG Trystan Colon did not return after suffering a right knee injury on Arizona’s first drive. … Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. went down with a stomach contusion in the third quarter after a hard collision with Arizona S Budda Baker, but later returned.

UP NEXT

Ravens: Host Seattle next Sunday.

Cardinals: At Cleveland next Sunday.

For the first time in their last 16 matchups, the Denver Broncos have defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-9, as the home team capitalized on the mistakes of Patrick Mahomes. 

Russell Wilson was just 12 of 19 for 114 yards, but he had three touchdown passes in this one due to the Chiefs making big mistakes that cost them tons of momentum. 

Wilson’s first touchdown pass of the game was on a normal drive for the Broncos, where rookie Marvin Mims returned a punt 31 yards from Denver’s 30 to give his team great field position. Wilson eventually found running back Javonte Williams for a four-yard touchdown that got Denver on the board first. 

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The Chiefs would respond with a field goal, and they got want they needed: A three-and-out drive from the Broncos that set Mahomes up to take the team’s first lead of the night. However, Marquez Valdes-Scantling turned a 15-yard gain into a fumble that the Broncos recovered. 

Three plays later, Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for an 11-yard touchdown in the back left of the end zone after scrambling around. Jeudy’s two catches in this game came on this drive, which included a 39-yard strike from Wilson to kick it off. 

Whenever it was time for the Chiefs to respond, which Mahomes & Co. usually do in these situations, things went awry for him. Now 14-3, Mahomes threw his first interception of the day on a pass intended deep for tight end Travis Kelce. 

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But Kansas City was able to minimize the Broncos’ lead to 14-9 at the half, as they looked to regroup heading into the second half. And that appeared to be the case when they blocked a Broncos field goal attempt after a long, 13-play drive. 

The Chiefs would end up stalling on the next drive, and when it was time for Denver to punt again, a critical turnover cost them. 

Mecole Hardman muffed the punt that was deep in Chiefs territory, and the Broncos recovered. Two plays later, Courtland Sutton found his way into the end zone on a six-yard catch, making it 21-9. 

Patrick Mahomes, #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs, passes as he warms up prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on October 29, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The final two Chiefs drives of the game ended up being a turnover on downs after 11 plays and Mahomes’ second interception of the game. 

Mahomes, who was reported to be dealing with the flu to the point where he needed IVs administered on Saturday, finished 24 of 38 with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Kelce was his top target with 58 yards on six catches, and rookie Rashee Rice also had four grabs for 56 yards. 

There wasn’t much in the run game either, with Isiah Pacheco having just 40 yards on eight carries and the team rushing for a total 62 yards. 

Meanwhile, the Broncos had success on the ground, rushing for 153 yards as a team, which included 85 yards on 27 carries for Williams. The Broncos’ defense forced five turnovers, and that was the key to this victory that pushed Denver to 3-5 on the year. 

Jerry Jeudy of the Denver Broncos celebrates a reception during the second quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on October 29, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

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As the Broncos relish the victory in their bye week, the Chiefs will hope to get back on the winning side against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, next Sunday. 

The mother of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz was located by law enforcement in Colombia on Saturday night after she and her husband were kidnapped by gunmen in the city of Barrancas earlier that day. 

The search for Diaz’s father is ongoing. 

Diaz was absent from Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but the squad still felt his presence. After scoring in the 31st minute, forward Diogo Jota held up Diaz’s No. 7 jersey. 

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“It was clear we had to give the game an extra sense, and it was fighting for Lucho,” manager Jürgen Klopp said after the game. “Then the boys pulled out the shirt, and I was not 100% prepared for that, to be honest. It was really touching, but wonderful as well.”

Diogo Jota of Liverpool holds the shirt of teammate Luis Diaz after scoring their first goal to make the score 1-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023, in Liverpool, England.  (Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Police director William Salamanca informed the 26-year-old footballer that his mother, Cilenis Marulanda, had been found safe and unharmed, but that they would continue the search for his father, Luis Manuel Díaz.

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“We will spare no effort in this situation that has moved all of us Colombians,” Salamanca said.

The pair were reportedly kidnapped while at a gas station in Diaz’s hometown, near the country’s border with Venezuela.

Luis Diaz of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on October 21, 2023, in Liverpool, Enland.  (Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

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Police in Colombia are offering a reward of almost $49,000 for information that will lead to the whereabouts of Luiz’s father. 

Officials have expressed concern that this was an extortion kidnapping and that the kidnappers may attempt to take Luiz’s father to Venezuela. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Cincinnati Bengals extended their winning streak to three games in a big road victory over the San Francisco 49ers, 31-17, as the Niners dropped their third straight contest. 

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy came into this game as perhaps the fastest player to be cleared from concussion protocol, as San Francisco announced Wednesday that he had entered it after saying he had been experiencing symptoms on the team’s plane, coming back from their loss to the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football.” 

Purdy was not his sharpest self in this game, throwing his first two interceptions at home as the 49ers. Once the toast of the NFC early this season, he has questions to answer. 

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Meanwhile, the Bengals clearly don’t have those looming questions about where the offense has been, with Joe Burrow & Co. wreaking havoc against one of the best defenses in the NFL with an opposing crowd making it hard for them all game long. 

Burrow threw for 283 yards with three touchdowns and on interceptions, going 28 of 32 in a very efficient game coming off the bye week. 

Of course, Burrow’s favorite target was Ja’Marr Chase, who has really gotten it going in this three-game winning streak. He finished with an even 10 catches for 100 yards, which included a 17-yard touchdown catch that helped the Bengals pull away from the 49ers early in the fourth quarter. 

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Cincinnati had excellent field position on that Chase touchdown drive, thanks to Purdy throwing interceptions on back-to-back passes, which changed the complexity of the entire game. It looked as if the 49ers were starting to get going after a slow first half, but the turnovers ruined their chances, because Cincy capitalized. 

Yet, Purdy was able to respond to the Chase touchdown, marching 75 yards in 10 plays to find Christian McCaffrey for his second touchdown of the day – his first receiving. However, Burrow had other plans in mind when the 49ers crowd got loud, knowing that they were within a touchdown of tying the game. 

The Bengals killed 5:18 of precious clock in the fourth quarter on a 78-yard touchdown drive that ended with Joe Mixon (16 carries, 87 rushes, three catches, 23 yards) bouncing out left and waltzing into the end zone to make it 31-17. 

Brock Purdy, #13 of the San Francisco 49ers, throws a pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium on October 29, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Purdy had to respond the next drive, and quickly, or the 49ers were going to be on the losing side of things again. After it looked like he threw his third interception of the game, it was called back due to an illegal hit from a Bengals lineman on him in the pocket (he dove at his legs). 

But, on the very next play, Trey Hendrickson strip-sacked Purdy, and he recovered the fumble to basically ice it. 

The 49ers offense certainly had things going when you look at George Kittle having nine catches for 149 yards and Brandon Aiyuk hauling in five of his nine targets for 109 yards. McCaffrey also had 12 carries for 54 yards, while catching six passes for 64 yards. 

The 49ers defense once again had trouble getting off the field, and the Bengals know look like the NFC North contender many thought they would be in Burrow’s fourth year under center. 

Joe Burrow, #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals, celebrates after a scramble during the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 29, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Cincinnati will put that to the test next week when they square off with the Buffalo Bills, who will travel to the Bengals on “Sunday Night Football.” 

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Meanwhile, the 49ers are now desperate to get back to winning and will have their next chance against the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars on the road on No. 12 after their bye week.