Nick Mullens got a direct message from Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell during their Week 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals after throwing two interceptions in the first half.
During the NFL Network broadcast on Saturday, December 16, sideline reporter Steve Wyche told Mullens, “Do not play hero ball.” O’Connell had sent the same message to Mullens.
Following the half, Mullens improved his performance by following O’Connell’s advice. He found a way to throw two touchdown passes to Jordan Addison, which kept the Vikings in the game and forced overtime.
However, O’Connell was unimpressed with his backup quarterback and relied on the rest of the offense to pick up one more yard when facing third down in Bengals territory when Minnesota needed a hero in the extra session. O’Connell made two consecutive quarterback calls
facing third down in Bengals territory and counting on the remainder of the offense to pick up one more yard. O’Connell forced a turnover on downs in the end of a 27-24 loss after calling two consecutive quarterback sneaks that were stuffed.
Mullens completed 26 of 33 pass attempts for 303 yards passing and a 99.9 passer rating in the game. In his first career start, second-year running back Ty Chandler relieved Mullens of some of the pressure. Chandler gained a career-high 132 yards of rushes on just 23 carries
Justin Jefferson had seven catches on ten targets for 84 yards, while Addison caught all six targets he saw for 111 yards.
Nick Mullens/Getty The Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens wastes a chance to guarantee a postseason spot.
Mullens looked to be under pressure following his first start of the season a week ago, as he gave up both of his interceptions in the red zone, wasting two scoring opportunities.
In the fourth quarter of the team’s 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last week, Mullens entered the game in relief of Josh Dobbs and led Minnesota to the only scoring drive of the contest, earning him the start in Cincinnati.
After the bye week, Mullens nearly delivered the Vikings back-to-back victories, which would have
increased Minnesota’s odds of qualifying for the postseason to 83%, according to the playoff simulator at The Upshot.
As of the start of the NFC North division’s crucial final three games, the Vikings’ chances are 60% better.
By winning out, Minnesota had the power to become the division champions again. The Vikings now abandon it to chance. For the next two weeks, they play the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions at home before meeting again in Detroit to end the regular season.
