Questionable play calls, fumble plague Vikes

By Krupka  |   Monday, September 25, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The Minnesota Vikings had a victory and first place in the NFC North all but sealed up. They could have, should have, would have...but didn't.

All of that is true, and in their attempt to usurp the Bears as the frontrunner for the division, the Vikings' play calling down the stretch and a late-game fumble proved to be the difference, as a sure win slipped from their grasp.

The first questionable play call came with 3:35 remaining. The Vikings had the ball at their own 43-yard line, on a second-and-8, leading 16-12. Head coach Brad Childress elected to pass, and the ball fell incomplete. The Bears only had one timeout remaining, so putting the ball in the air was somewhat of a head-scratcher.

The most logical explanation is that Childress was hoping to get the first down on that play and run out the clock from there. Unfortunately for the rookie coach, the ball hit the ground and stopped the clock.

Then again, it may not have mattered anyway, because, on the following play, the Bears' defense burst through the line and recovered a loose ball on a bad handoff exchange between quarterback Brad Johnson and running back Chester Taylor.

The Bears capitalized on the miscue as quarterback Rex Grossman found a wide open Rashied Davis for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 1:53 remaining.

Still, the Vikings had a chance to win.

The second questionable play call came with 1:10 left in the game. After gaining five yards on third-and-7, the Vikings used their final timeout. It was fourth-and-2, at their own 46-yard line. Johnson fired a deep pass to Troy Williamson that fell incomplete.

Why not throw a shorter pass, and live for another play? Even a three-yard pass that resulted in a first down would have been better, opening up the opportunity to attempt to get into field goal range to tie the game.

Of course, it's always easy to second guess somebody when the decision they make doesn't work out. Had Johnson and Williamson connected on the long pass, Childress would be hailed as a genius. But, for the meantime, he will have to live with what happened.

And the Vikings will still find themselves staring up at the Chicago Bears.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Get daily insights on the Minnesota Vikings at RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 3  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Dylan H.		06:02 PM
09/25/2006
This loss is not a big one for the Vikes. They continue to play very well dispite having an inexpirienced team. The Vikings have...
No.2
Al Hernandez		11:41 AM
09/27/2006
Hey VIKINGS fans!! get used to this!! Rex Grossman is the next coming of Brett Favre and clearly one of the best young QB's in...
No.3
Viking Fan Jeff		11:52 AM
09/27/2006
WOW Bears fan, you can't be serious right now. As much as I hate to say it, Grossman isn't even close to Favre's level and never...
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