Vikings overcome 2 fumble return TD wipeouts in comeback

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s completion of the most important comeback in NFL historical past hit loads of velocity bumps.

Cornerback Chandon Sullivan had not one, however two, fumble returns for touchdowns foiled by the whistle within the 39-36 extra time victory over Indianapolis on Saturday.

The primary one got here within the second quarter, with the Vikings already trailing 23-0. Sullivan and Brian Asamoah converged on Colts huge receiver Michael Pittman after a brief move on third-and-10, and Sullivan stripped the ball out of Pittman’s arms earlier than scooping it up and sprinting ahead for what would have been a 40-yard rating.

The play was blown useless. Referee Tra Blake informed a pool reporter afterward that Pittman’s ahead progress was stopped, a ruling that’s not reviewable. Solely the place of the ball in that case might be modified by replay, not possession.

The Vikings obtained the ball again on a punt, however they had been pinned again at their very own 5. Kirk Cousins threw a third-and-3 move that was off course — Justin Jefferson had simply left for damage remedy and meant receiver Jalen Reagor didn’t seem like on the identical web page with Cousins concerning the width of the curl route — and intercepted for a 17-yard landing return by Julian Blackmon.

Then with 3:23 left in regulation, Sullivan scooped up a fumble by Deon Jackson and returned it for what would’ve been a 39-yard landing. That play was blown useless as a result of the unique ruling on the sphere was that Jackson was down by contact earlier than the ball was pressured out throughout the sort out by Za’Darius Smith. The expedited overview on replay proved a transparent restoration, and the Vikings had been awarded possession by the reversal. However by the rule, they may solely get the ball on the spot and never get credit score for the advance.

Sullivan was known as for unsportsmanlike conduct after ripping his helmet off in anger and tossing it on the sphere.

“That second one, that was so onerous to come back again from, to get everyone to get on the identical web page and simply not fear about it and simply return and work,” linebacker Eric Kendricks mentioned. “It was clear that it was out. It was clear that we scored, and it’s unlucky that it didn’t go that means. … Fortunately we didn’t lose ourselves, and we obtained again to work.”

Reagor additionally had a 51-yard punt return known as again by a facemask penalty on Kris Boyd within the fourth quarter. Replays confirmed Boyd appeared to overlook making contact with the facemask on his man.

“I really feel just like the officers made a pair powerful calls, respectfully, on either side,” Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin mentioned. “I don’t know. It was a troublesome recreation. A whole lot of occasions I really feel like a penalty will go a technique, and then you definitely’ll sort of get it again.”

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