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Minnesota Vikings Best and Worst: Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Adam Carlson

Dec 13, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks back to the sideline after being sacked during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks back to the sideline after being sacked during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Worst

Someone might not have a job after this game…and that someone is kicker Dan Bailey. Head coach Mike Zimmer has been patient with his kicker and supported him as well as he could, but there are limits as to what is acceptable.

In the first half alone, Bailey missed an extra point try, a 36-yard try, and a 54-yard try. This left seven points on the field, or at least four because a 54-yard kick is far from automatic for even the best kickers in the league. He added one more miss in the second half from 46 yards out.

Last week, Bailey missed two extra points and one field goal against the Jaguars, a team that Minnesota needed overtime to win. The Vikings aren’t at a point in their season where they can afford to leave points on the field.

The Vikings have signed Bailey through the 2023 NFL season, but all that can change quickly if the kicker continues to be ineffective and unreliable. And considering Minnesota’s trouble with kickers, finding a new one might be another huge challenge.

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