Minnesota Vikings 20
Kansas City Chiefs 27
In four losses, the Vikings have done much more to lose those games than any of their opponents have done to win them. Not only did they lose a winnable game to the defending champs, the Vikings might’ve lost Justin Jefferson for some time to a hamstring injury.
The Officiating?
Every NFL game has some questionable officiating. Judging the legality of every movement of a football game in real time is a very difficult job. Still, the Chiefs were handed some real gifts. At the end of the first half, Patrick Mahomes connected with Justin Watson for a 23-yard toe-tapper on the sideline. When Watson secured the ball, only one set of toes was still in contact with the turf. The play happened with 31 seconds remaining in the half so it went to review. With all replays showing that Watson had only one foot down when the catch was made, I was certain the review verdict would be “no catch.” Somehow, the catch was confirmed. I still don’t see it. The “gifted” completion was the big play that led to a half-ending, game-tying field goal. Even more mind-boggling was the officiating sequence that ended the Vikings best chance at a game-tying/game-winning opportunity. Down 27-20, 4th-and-12 at the Chiefs 24-yard line with 4:54 remaining, Kirk Cousins, under significant pressure, lofted a pass to Jordan Addison in the end zone. L’Jarius Sneed was flagged for his handsy coverage of Addison. After a brief officiating conference, the flag was picked up. I’ve yet to hear a reason. The pass wasn’t tipped. It was catchable as it landed not far from Addison and Sneed. I guess that the officials simply decided that the contact that at least one of them had seen wasn’t enough to merit a flag. Who knows? It looked to be as much interference as Harrison Smith committed on a game-changing play earlier in the game. The officiating really broke new ground when Sneed removed his helmet to plead his case. He should’ve been flagged as soon as he removed his helmet. Instead, an official could clearly be seen telling him to put his helmet back on. I guess Chiefs players get some concessions rather than penalties. Even if the officials picked up the flag for Sneed’s interference, they should’ve thrown a flag on the Chiefs pass rusher that had his hands up in the facemask of C.J. Ham.
It’s easy to bitch about the officiating when a game doesn’t go as hoped. Most of those officiating issues wouldn’t have mattered if the Vikings had simply done simply things. Like Josh Oliver not fumbling on the first play of the game. At least it was the only turnover of the game. The Vikings have had at least two turnovers in each of the previous four games. Still, Oliver giving up the ball after a nice 15-yard gain was big. It blew up a nice start to the game and an opportunity to do more nice things from the 40-yard line. Instead the Chiefs grab the momentum with terrific field position. Nine plays and 45 yards later, the Chiefs have a 7-0 lead and the Vikings are playing catch-up again.
It would’ve been a different game if Cam Bynum had timed his jump a bit better on a desperation heave from Mahomes early in the third quarter. Third-and-18 from his own 17-yard line, Mahomes just tossed the ball up for Watson (the supposed toe-tapper) and hoped. Bynum jumped early, the ball slipped through his fingers and into Watson’s hands. Instead of an easy interception, the Chiefs had a first-and-10 at the 50. Eight plays later, the Chiefs had a 20-13 lead.
The Vikings answered with a three-and-out. It was their only punt of the game.
The biggest missed opportunity came two plays before the Sneed-officiating fiasco. Perhaps for the first time this season, the Vikings had a screen pass set up beautifully for Alexander Mattison. 2nd-and-7 from the Chiefs 19-yard line, Cousins had attracted defenders to him and Mattison had space around him with blockers in place. The timing was perfect. The pass was perfect. It was going to be a touchdown. Mattison dropped the pass. There was still five minutes to play. A lot can happen in that time. It should’ve been 27-27 with five mixtures to play. Instead, the Vikings were still chasing the Chiefs.
At 1-4, the Vikings have already lost as many games as they lost all of last regular season. There were 11 one-score wins last season. There have been 4 one-score losses this season. All four losses have come against teams that made the playoffs last season. The losses have come against teams with a combined 14-4 record. Two of the losses have come against the teams that played in last year’s Super Bowl. It’s been a tough schedule but the Vikings been their own toughest opponent. They can’t seem to get out of their own way. They better find a way. That starts with the Chicago Bears next week.
Hopefully, we’ll get some good news about Justin Jefferson’s injury.
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