K.J. Osborn’s career day helps ignite Vikings’ impossible comeback

Many times this season receiver K.J. Osborn has taken a backseat to other stars on the Vikings offense. He never once has complained.

Though he certainly had hopes of putting together a breakout season, Osborn understands that star receiver Justin Jefferson deserves to get a lion’s share of the workload, and that veteran receiver Adam Thielen is most often the next read. Add in the fact that the Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline and Osborn hasn’t always been involved in the game plan.

Which is why Osborn’s performance for the Vikings in Saturday’s 39-36 overtime win over the Colts was so rewarding. He finished his career day with 10 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown. He ignited the impossible comeback with a 63-yard reception followed by 2-yard touchdown shortly after halftime.

“Oh man,” Osborn said. “It was amazing. I can’t say anything else, but I feel so blessed and I’ve been working really, really hard and I’m happy that this day came.”

This has been a long time coming for Osborn. To this point his biggest contribution came in the 28-24 win over the Lions way back in September. He finished that game with five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the final seconds to complete the comeback.

That was the last time Osborn eclipsed 50 yards in a game. Until he balled out against the Colts.

“I told K.J. a few weeks back that his time was coming,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Regardless with how our offense is evolving, his value to us, I just knew it would happen.” In that same breath O’Connell admitted, “I didn’t necessarily envision maybe the scenario that played out today.”

Not many did.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that Osborn has earned the trust of quarterback Kirk Cousins because of his ability to perform in big moments. Maybe more important, though, Osborn earned the respect of Cousins with his ability to always put the team’s success above his own. It takes a special player to do that on a weekly basis.

“He’s a guy that could do that every week,” Cousins said. “It’s been hard to get him the football as much as he deserves it and has shown the ability to deserve it. He’s a guy that all season long I’ve kind of felt we need to get him more targets and get him more opportunities because he’s the real deal. It’s just been hard to get him as involved as he was today. He showed today what he’s capable of. I have total confidence in him being an elite, elite receiver in this league.”

Asked what moment will stick with him most, Osborn once again deferred to his teammates, this time crediting kicker Greg Joseph with nailing the game-winner in overtime.

“That was amazing,” Osborn said. “Just seeing the place go crazy. I’m still trying to process everything that happened with this game. It was amazing.”

So was he.

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