The Vikings had a golden chance to cement their status as postseason participants against the Bengals on Saturday. And for the first three quarters of Week 15's contest, it looked as if they were in good stead to do just that.
However, a fourth-quarter collapse, coupled with a questionable fourth-down call in overtime, left Kevin O'Connell's squad standing perilously over the drop with just three games remaining in the season.
Minnesota appeared to be on an upturn as the extra period of football rolled forth. A pair of Nick Mullens throws to T.J. Hockenson had the Vikings on the cusp of field goal range. All they needed was a precious few yards to give kicker Greg Joseph a chance at being the hero.
MORE: Minnesota's updated NFC playoff picture for Week 15
Cincinnati's defense firmed up, however, stuffing Minnesota's attempt at the "Tush Push" on third-and-short.
It was a curious decision, in hindsight. The Vikings lined up with the diminutive Brandon Powell, listed at 5-8, 181 pounds, as the battering ram for Nick Mullens' pilgrimage into the redwoods. Perhaps they would have been better served handing the ball off to Ty Chandler, who had shredded the Bengals front line to the tune of 132 yards on 23 carries, or turning to a tight end to shove Mullens.
No matter, though. Minnesota had another shot at glory: fourth-and-1, ball on Cincy's 42-yard line.
Its second attempt was just as aimless as its first.
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Instead of doing anything differently, O'Connell had the Vikings run the exact same play, even down to Powell being tasked with pushing Mullens forward. Unsurprisingly, it fell desperately short, giving the ball back to Cincinnati in prime real estate.
The Vikings are STOPPED on 4th down!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 16, 2023
The Bengals take over the football. pic.twitter.com/VCPZyNwtFK
Six plays later, the game was over; Evan McPherson sank a chip shot to give the Bengals their eighth win of the season and steal one from Minnesota.
O'Connell's choice baffled many. According to the Vikings' tactician, there was a simple method to the madness: to keep Cincinnati out of goal line coverage and give Minnesota a chance at converting. Easier said than done, however.
"You're really looking at about four or five inches there. Don't really want to have to turn around and extend the ball and hand off another ball," O'Connell said. "I trust our guys in that moment to execute.
"I wanted to stay in 11 personnel to try to keep them out of goal line defense or anything like that and thought we could execute just with an interior push right there. Based upon how it was spotted they got the stop and then transitioned that to an explosive [play] to give themselves a chance to win the game."
The Vikings loss dropped them to 7-7 on the season. The Rams, Seahawks, Falcons, Saints and Packers each have a chance to pull level with them — and supplant their position in the playoff standings — with victories over the weekend.
