Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Kevin O'Connell claps back at Kirk Cousins prime-time cynics

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/26/22

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has taken his fair share of criticism for his underwhelming record as a starting QB in prime-time games.

But after Thursday’s 33-26 win over the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving, first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell came to his quarterback’s defense during Minnesota’s postgame celebration.

“Last time I checked that game started at 7:25; that makes it a prime-time football game. Your quarterback went 30-of-37 for 299 (yards) and three touchdowns,” O’Connell said as the locker room erupted in a celebratory cheer.

This locker room is special.#Skol pic.twitter.com/hBBrWHmR2B
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 25, 2022

Entering Thursday, Cousins was tied with Matthew Stafford for the fourth-worst winning percentage by a starting quarterback since 2000 (.357) in prime-time games, including a 2-10 record on “Monday Night Football.”

Including a 24-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 on "MNF" earlier this year, Cousins now has an 11-18 career record in prime-time games.

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