The Minnesota Vikings found a way to lose on the road to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 in overtime.
After not winning the coin toss, the Vikings’ defense stepped up to force a three-and-out for the Minnesota offense. If you are Kevin O’Connell, this is the perfect position. The ball is in your hands, and a field goal wins you the game.
After driving down to the Cincinnati 42-yard-line, the Vikings had third-and-one to keep the drive moving towards another Greg Joseph field goal to end the game. Quarterback Nick Mullens motioned over 5’8″, 181-pound Brandon Powell behind him to help him execute the ‘tush push’ that the Philadelphia Eagles have made famous.
He was stuffed. Fourth and inches.
O’Connell decided he did not get enough of the tush push the first time. He called it yet again, with Powell helping lead the charge.
Stuffed again. Turnover on downs.
The Bengals, with new life, put the Vikings out of their misery with a walk-off field goal.
Social media immediately was critical of O’Connell’s decision to attempt the fabled tush push not once but twice in the most critical part of the game.
Why are you tush pushing with Brandon Powell as the push guy?
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 16, 2023
The Vikings doing the Tush Push pic.twitter.com/eNWqpb1MKz
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) December 16, 2023
The third and 4th down calls in overtime were criminal. Trying to do the "tush push" with a guy that weighs a buck fifty is stupid.
— Mark J (@MarkJ69534474) December 16, 2023
if they didn’t sign him specifically to push the tush then what the hell is he here for?
— high octane baller (@amblivien) December 16, 2023
Everyone: "The tush push is unstoppable"#Vikings offense: "Hold our beer" #MINvsCIN #Skol
— Chris Spooner (@SpoonfulofSport) December 16, 2023
That last play sequence is indefensible Will. If you draw up a play for a tush push and use your smallest wr to do it….it seems intentional it’s so stupid. But no – let’s do it twice.
— Ellsworth Cowcat III Esq. (@CowcatEsq) December 16, 2023
Have CJ Hamm, Ty chandler has 100+, let’s tush push twice with a backup QB? Jesus Christ
— J Harvey Spectre (@JayHarv_Era) December 16, 2023
Brandon Powell lining up to push the tush pic.twitter.com/nEcgjkpXc0
— Tyra Alsdurf (@tyra_alsdurf) December 16, 2023
Ty Chandler torching the Bengals and they go with the backup backup QB trying the tush push…twice? LOL 😂
— Christopher The Warrior (@TheChrisMoreno) December 16, 2023
If you think the "tush push" isn't a skilled play, watch the Minnesota Vikings do it then get back to me
— Bill Walsh 💎 (@BillatCBS58) December 16, 2023
The NFL making the tush push illegal would save a lot of teams from themselves.
— Luke DiVasta (@LukeDiV) December 16, 2023
