Vikings’ Coach Leslie Frazier feels the heat; blamed for Falcons loss – NFL News
Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier has taken the blame for his team’s 24-14 loss against Atlanta Falcons. In a game from which the Vikings had nothing but pride to play for the rookie Coach made a risky call that led Vikings to their
third straight loss and their ninth of the season.
"I told the players that's more on me," Frazier said, adding, "I let my emotions get the best of me."
Minnesota Vikings were losing the game at the end of the first half 17-0. The players however turned up their game in the second half pegging back Atlanta Falcons lead to 17-14. Falcons however increased their lead with a touchdown
from Michael Palmer with 6:40 on the dial from quarterback Matt Ryan’s 3 yard pass. Ryan had a brilliant game with three passing touchdowns in this game with a 79.4% pass completion rate.
With the score 24-14 and just six minutes of regular time left Vikings Wide Receiver Percy Harvin caught the ball from Falcons kick off and covered back 104 yards to within 1 yard from the end-zone when Chris Owen tackled him just
1 yard away saving his team’s 10 point lead.
As Vikings had possession just 1 yard from the end-zone on the fourth down it seemed a simple choice to go for a field goal and bring Falcons lead down to just a single scoring play.
Coach Leslie Frazier however, had other ideas. The rookie Coach made a big call for his team to try for the touchdown which backfired spectacularly.
Toby Gerhart was handed the ball and he found himself surrounded by Falcons defenders who immediately pounced on the running back resulting in Vikings losing possession and the game.
"We hit that fourth-and-1 late, and I decided that we were going to go for it, thinking that if we get this score, the next time we get the ball back we would be going to win the game. Instead, it went the other way, and that's
purely on me. It was a bad mistake on my part for putting us in that position."
The decision has been called reckless by many analysts and pressure is growing on the Coach to deliver. Vikings were expected to at least make the playoffs this season but the team find themselves bottom of the NFC North division.
A 2-9 record and poor form is combining to make the fans more agitated with calls for the Coach’s removal growing louder with each game.
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