The Minnesota Vikings are getting smacked in the behind by Murphy's Law in the first half of their playoff matchup against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Minnesota was done so egregiously terribly that even the normally tight-lipped Bill Belichick was unable to control himself.
The Vikings were about to climb out of a 10-0 crater after sacking Stafford and running the fumble back for a touchdown. Instead of giving the Vikings a touchdown, the officials waived it off, saying Stafford threw the ball forward and the pass landed incomplete.
Intentional grounding? Nope! The refs didn't give the Vikings any breaks here. Belichick, who has been on the beneficial end of officials turning fumble calls into incomplete passes during the postseason, was unable to control himself watching such an incompetent display of officiating.
Belichick, like many Vikings fans across the country, was in genuine disbelief after the call, bemoaning the fact the call was overturned so quickly. Based on how this first half has gone, the Vikings seemingly can't do much of anything right. Will that seal the outcome?
Bill Belichick in disbelief after Vikings fumble TD shockingly overturned
The Vikings were able to get the ball back after they forced the Rams to punt, but that drive ended with Sam Darnold throwing an interception. After the Rams failed to get back on the scoreboard, Darnold handed Los Angeles a few free points thanks to a sack-fumble that put LA up 17-3 after they ran it back for a touchdown.
Brian Flores' defense has adjusted after a terrible start, but getting in a 10-0 hole while many fans were still buying hot dogs could be a very steep mountain Minnesota might not be able to climb. Darnold playing like he did with the Jets and Panthers and losing tons of money in the process is certainly not making things any easier on anyone.
If the Vikings lose this game, that overturned fumble will be looked at as a huge missed opportunity. Belichick's ire might earn him a few brownie points with this Vikings fanbase, but he can only watch with the rest of them as Minnesota's 14-3 season starts to turn to ash before them.