MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Kirk Cousins had started all but two games in his six seasons for Minnesota, giving the rare continuity at quarterback before he went down in October with a season-ending Achilles tendon tear.On their fourth starting quarterback of the season, the Vikings are discovering the harsh reality of life without Cousins, the four-time Pro Bowl player who is already third in team history in pa sing yards.While Joshua Dobbs sudden emergence provided a temporary solution, Danny Hultzen Jersey the swinging door at quarterback now has Minnesota out of playoff position in the NFC. Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards and two touchdowns but also had four interceptions and two fumbles the Vikings recovered in the on Sunday.I thought he was aggre sive with his arm, Minnesota coach Kevin OConnell said. There were some opportunities that, even on some of those turnovers that happened, I thought there was some potential gra s to maybe throw the ball away from defenders, things like that. But I thought Nick battled.ADVERTISEMENT Mullens, in his second season as the primary backup to Cousins, was out with a back injury when Cousins went down. Mullens replaced Dobbs, who was acquired in an emergency trade on Oct. 31, in the fourth quarter on Dec. 10 and helped secure Craig Kimbrel Jersey a 3-0 win against Las Vegas. But Mullens has six turnovers in the past two games, both lo ses that dropped them to 7-8. They have lost four of their past five games.He was intercepted at the 5-yard line by Ifeatu Melifonwu with as the Lions sealed the victory and clinched the NFC North title.Mullens wasnt dismayed by his performance.Personally, I think I just have Ernie Banks Jersey to take the next step, Mullens said. I believe that Im a very good quarterback, but whats it going to take to take the next step? "The NFL is a mental game. Its you versus you. Thats what I just keep striving for. Its hard work, execution, trust the guys around me.Mullens was working with a depleted receiver group down the stretch as tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) and rookie receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) and didnt return.Add in Mullens as the latest starter on the quarterback carousel rookie Jaren Hall started the game after Cousins injury only to leave early with a concu sion and the Vikings have been lacking their usual rhythm in the pa sing game.I really do think it goes to show the rest of the world the type of player that Adbert Alzolay Jersey Kirk is, said star receiver Justin Jefferson, who had six catches for 141 yards. At the end of the day, this is a tough league. Not everybody is meant for this job, you know?"Cousins attended his first home game since the injury and before the announcements for the starting lineup. Jefferson knows the Vikings are mi sing him and need more time with Mullens, who had a number of pa ses arrive late to receivers.Its tough not having 8 out there, the captain that he is, the leader that he is, Jefferson said. Hes a great player. Nothing taken away from Nick. Nick is an outstanding player as well. We just need to build on that confidence that we have. We just need to go on that practice field and make sure that were getting all the timing right, making sure the ball is where it needs to be."Mullens believes ball placement was the i sue on Sunday.I believe Im very accurate quarterback, Mullens said, adding: "Decisions, accuracy, you have to be elite at all times. Ive done a good job making plays and moving Justin Steele Jersey the offense. Weve worked really hard, collectively, to move the offense. Just you have to you avoid those mistakes.___AP NFL: