3 most disappointing Vikings from their win over the Lions in Week 17

Dan Bailey – K

Plenty has already been said about Dan Bailey and his struggles this season. While many Vikings fans expected more of the same from Bailey in the game against the Lions, the fact that his missed kicks kept Detroit alive longer than they should’ve been was unfortunate and disappointing.

Bailey started the game off strong making his first two extra-point tries. He then trotted out to attempt a 46-yard field goal toward the end of the first half. He pushed that one wide left, but at least it was close.  Later in the game, Bailey would have a much, much worse kick.

In a game that had been back and forth with a handful of lead changes, the Vikings had an opportunity to go up by two scores. Kirk Cousins called his own number and scored on a hard-fought one-yard goal-line run.

That score put Minnesota up by eight and the ensuing extra point would’ve given them a little breathing room with a nine-point lead. What happened next almost defied the laws of nature.

Bailey kicked the ball and it went almost 90 degrees to the left. How he pulled it so badly is mind-boggling. Kicking it how he did and making it go at such a weird angle had to be harder than hitting one from 50 yards out.

Bailey’s odd miss was the perfect end to his miserable 2020 season, as it was as bizarre as it was ugly. Luckily the Vikings were able to hold on for the victory, but Bailey did his best to try and ensure the team would be picking in the top 10 in the 2021 NFL Draft.