Vikings were robbed of three points and nearly the game vs. Browns due to misapplied rule and equipment issue

This is the second issue the Vikings have dealt with in international games

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard (16) kicks a point after attempt against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings got the win over the Cleveland Browns in London to extend their record to 5-0 in games played there, but it didn’t come without issue. It was the 38th one-score game the Vikings have played, extending their record in those games under head coach Kevin O’Connell to 28-10.

To get the win, they needed a game-winning drive in the final minutes from Carson Wentz, and he obliged, throwing a touchdown pass to Jordan Addison to take the lead for good.

Will Reichard’s missed field goal wasn’t his fault

The Vikings should have been tied with the Browns at 17 when they had their final drive, which would have been easier for the Vikings to get the game-winning score. Will Reichard was on target to hit a game-tying 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but the ball oddly veered right. It turns out that it hit the skycam cable.

By rule, the play should have been done over, and Reichard would have had a second chance. It’s also a play that could have either been challenged or had help from replay assist

“[I]f a loose ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the previous spot. In the event the down is replayed, the game clock will be reset to the time remaining when the snap occurred, and the clock will start on the All penalties will be disregarded, except for personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, which will be administered prior to the replaying of the down.”

This would have changed the entire aspect of the fourth quarter, with the Vikings trying to play from behind and the Browns trying to keep the lead. The result of the game could have been different, and the Vikings would have had an easier time. This comes one week after the Vikings played an entire game with one end zone not having a play clock.

It’s a challenging situation that needs to be addressed by the league, especially after a similar incident occurred in Sunday afternoon’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets.

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