Cousins: Loss vs. Giants 'probably the toughest' of career

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said falling short in Sunday's 31-24 wild-card game loss to the New York Giants might be his most bitter pill to swallow.

"It hurts. ... This is probably the toughest loss I've had in my career," Cousins said postgame.

Minnesota had an opportunity to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but Cousins threw short of the sticks on a decisive fourth-and-8. The 3-yard completion to T.J. Hockenson resulted in a turnover on downs and the end of the Vikings' season.

The veteran signal-caller explained he threw short because he thought he was going to be sacked.

"Tried to work Justin (Jefferson)," Cousins added. "Didn't feel good about putting up to Justin, and when I went to progress, I just felt like I was about to get sacked. I felt like I got to put the ball in play."

The loss is the Vikings' first in games decided by one score this season. Minnesota held an 11-0 record in possession games coming into Sunday's contest.