Fan Reaction After Vikings Shocked by Lions

Different week, same question … Why is this team so bad at 2-point conversions? Every 2-point try is a very bad play call with low probability of success. Why can’t we figure this very basic situation to be successful with all the talent we have to work with?

— Jared from Minneapolis

When the season is all said and done, the Vikings lack of success on 2-point plays will likely stick out … and not in a good way.

Minnesota has tried seven different 2-point conversions this season. Only one has been successful.

This is a play that usually has roughly a 50-50 chance to hit. And this is a Vikings offense that features plenty of skill players who should be able to find a way to gain a yard or two depending on the situation.

The Vikings tried some flair on their first try Sunday, eventually handing the ball to rookie Kene Nwangwu on a sweep of sorts from the 2-yard line. Didn’t work, and the Vikings still trailed 20-15.

Minnesota tried a more physical style on its next attempt, a handoff to Alexander Mattison from the 1-yard line. He was stuffed like the Thanksgiving turkey I ate a few weeks ago. The score remained 23-21.

The Vikings went to the air on their third try, but Cousins was off target to Justin Jefferson. The Vikings lead is now 27-23.

“Yeah, they weren’t very good, I didn’t think. We tried to run it in, smash it down their throats from the 1-yard line,” Zimmer said. “We tried to hand the ball off to Kene. Those weren’t the best.”

Zimmer said above that everything gets put into hindsight. That’s true, especially after a loss.

But if the Vikings didn’t go for a single 2-point conversion Sunday, and instead kicked successful extra points each time, they would have had 30 theoretical points before Detroit’s final offensive drive.

Maybe the Lions still score and go for their own 2-point play and the win? Maybe the game goes to overtime and the Vikings still lose? Or maybe Minnesota finds a way to squeak out yet another win.

The Vikings chose to chase points and it backfired. Was that the sole reason for the loss? Of course not.

But when it rains, it pours. And the Vikings must now find a way to regroup on a short week.

Minnesota plays Pittsburgh at home Thursday night.