Vikings overcome unforgivable blunders in thrilling win vs. Colts
The Minnesota Vikings (11-3) proved that there is no hill too steep to climb in a historic comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1). In the win, the Vikings were forced to battle back from more than just a 33-0 halftime deficit. They did so while also overcoming egregious errors made by the officiating crew. […]
The Minnesota Vikings (11-3) proved that there is no hill too steep to climb in a historic comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1).
In the win, the Vikings were forced to battle back from more than just a 33-0 halftime deficit. They did so while also overcoming egregious errors made by the officiating crew. All is well that ends well for Minnesota, but two blown calls nearly cost the Vikings the game.
Cornerback Chandon Sullivan fell victim to an incompetent group of NFL officials on Saturday, led by Tra Blake. The NFL has plenty of apologizing to do on the behalf of Blake’s crew.
The first mishap came in the second quarter when Sullivan ripped the ball from Michael Pittman Jr.’s arms, returning the fumble for a touchdown. However, the play was ruled dead due to Pittman’s alleged forward progress.
Not only was Pittman fighting for extra yards, but the officials are taught to swallow their whistles on this type of play. The idea is to let the action play out and correct any possibly errors through replay. Unfortunately, forward progress is not reviewable.
The second error has to be the NFL’s biggest officiating gaffe of the season.
Colts running back Deon Jackson was stripped of the football while in an upright position with just over three minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Sullivan found the football and took it to pay dirt only for the officials to blow the play dead, ruling that Jackson was down by contact.
It was an unforgivable mistake made by an incompetent crew, though this time the play went through the review process. Because the runner was ruled down, Sullivan’s return would not stand, giving the Vikings the ball at the spot of the fumble recovery.
Keep in mind that Minnesota was trailing by eight points at the time of the crime.
The rage and outcry from Vikings fans would be exponentially worse had the officials handed the Colts the win. Thankfully, Colts head coach Jeff Saturday and his team urinated down their legs, opening the door for a miraculous comeback.
The result shouldn’t change the way that these officiating blunders are perceived. If something like this were to happen in a playoff game, angry mobs of fans would riot outside of the NFL’s offices.
That being said, the NFL’s inevitable apology to Minnesota is more likely to be forgiven based on the win. Instead of collecting pitchforks to protest the injustice on the field, Vikings fans can celebrate the first NFC North title since 2017.
Featured image via Matt Krohn – USA TODAY Sports
