
Will Reichard’s first field goal miss of the season missed badly. There appears to a good reason why.
The Vikings kicker attempted a 51-yard field goal against the Browns late in Sunday’s game in London. The ball appeared to be headed toward the uprights, then took a right turn and missed very wide.
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Cleveland’s special teams unit appeared to get an assist from the equipment at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It wasn’t obvious in real time. But slow motion replay appears to show that the ball hit a camera cable on the way up before veering off to the right.
The video’s not definitive. But it is compelling. The diagonal camera cable is clearly visible on replay.
When the ball crosses the cable’s path, it changes direction. But officials didn’t catch it. Neither did the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t protest or issue a challenge. Reichard didn’t seem to notice himself.
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So the Browns took over on downs and in possession of a 17-14 lead. Had officials confirmed the that the ball hit the cable, the Vikings would have been awarded a re-kick and a second chance at a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter.
Will Reichard is perfect on field goals no more thanks, apparently, to a Skycam cable.
(Bradley Collyer – PA Images via Getty Images)
Fortunately for the Vikings, the mishap didn’t cost them in the long run. Minnesota rallied for a 21-17 win to improve to 3-2 and remain competitive in the NFC North. Reichard’s perfect kicking season, however, is no more. He’s now 8 for 9 on field goals with Sunday’s miss.
And this wasn’t the only incident Sunday in which camera equipment impacted the play of the field. In New Jersey, Cowboys pass rusher Dante Fowler deflected a pass by Jets quarterback Justin Fields off his helmet. The ball bounced high into the air and hit the sky cam before bouncing back to the field at an awkward angle.
The carom prevented any chance at an interception of the deflection. But like in London, the play had no impact on the outcome of the game. The Cowboys cruised to a 37-22 win without the lost shot at securing a turnover.
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