NFL on Prime Video panel full of praise for Kirk Cousins despite Eagles loss
While the Minnesota Vikings came away from Philadelphia with a loss to the Eagles on Thursday Night Football, the Prime Video panel of analysts felt one man wasn't to blame: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
Cousins finished the 34-28 loss having completed 31 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns: two to TJ Hockenson and one each to Jordan Addison and KJ Osborn.
Throughout his career Cousins has been dogged with criticisms of his record in primetime games, but in the postgame wrap the likes of Richard Sherman, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Andrew Whitworth had plenty positive to say about the Vikings' signal caller, instead pinning the blame on the Vikings' offensive line, the lack of running game, and – once again – too many turnovers.
"It's frustrating because people are going to blame this game on Kirk Cousins," said Sherman, adding that Cousins was "threading the needle" and "delivering the ball on time."
"When he gets his chance, he's making plays."
Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) meet on the field after game at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Whitworth, a former offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, said: "His O-line got dominated ... it was impressive how much [Cousins] could do given how much the O-line got dominated.
"You look at the turnover differential every game, if you turn over the ball as much as this you're not going to win. Kirk can't do it all, they've got to run the ball better, this line's got to play better."
Former Washington and Miami quarterback Fitzpatrick acknowledged how often the Eagles' defensive line was getting to Cousins.
"Kirk was getting beat up time after time ... so for him to hang in the pocket at the end and throw those touchdowns, extra impressive," he said.
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