Action Reaction: Oddities Prevent Minnesota’s Odd-Year Success

[Viktor]

2. Reviews reverse fortunes


The Kwiatkoski forced fumble, which started on a second-and-16 at the Chicago 36, was initially ruled to have been recovered by Bears LB Leonard Floyd and returned, then fumbled because of a force out by Dalvin Cook and recovered by Vikings RT Brian O’Neill at the Minnesota 43.


Officials reviewed the play and determined that Floyd had not fully possessed the ball, meaning instead of a fresh set of downs, the Vikings faced a third-and-35 on the final play of the quarter. Cousins connected with Kyle Rudolph for a mere 12 yards, and Minnesota punted.


The Bears, however, benefited when a pass to Trey Burton was initially ruled a completion and loss of four before Everson Griffen forced a fumble that was recovered by Chicago. After review, officials ruled the ball incomplete, so Chicago faced second-and-goal at the Minnesota 10 as opposed to the 24.


Tarik Cohen’s 10-yard touchdown catch occurred on the ensuing snap.


In the second quarter, Minnesota was again bitten on a review reversal. Officials initially ruled that a pass to Stefon Diggs at the Chicago 34 was incomplete because of a breakup by Prince Amukamara.


After review, they decided that Diggs had possession of the ball long enough before Amukamara knocked it loose, resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Bears took over, still up 7-0, at their own 20 where Clinton-Dix held the ball when the play was whistled dead. They ran out the final 6:36 of the half, ending the session with a short field goal.


Zimmer placed blame on himself but didn’t elaborate when asked about taking a timeout when the Bears specialists were on the field. After the stoppage, the Bears decided to go for it and converted a fourth-and-3.