Troy Aikman, Russell Yurk call out officials over controversial PI on Vikings TD drive
Troy Aikman called out NFL officials for a pass interference flag thrown on a critical drive in Monday night’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. With 9:57 to go in the fourth quarter, the Vikings trailed 17-12 and had the ball when JJ McCarthy threw a pass in the direction of Jalen Nailor.
Nailor slipped and fell to the ground as the pass fell incomplete. However, officials threw a flag and called a 14-yard penalty on Chicago.
Aikman voiced his disagreement with the call on the ESPN broadcast. Rules analyst Russell Yurk backed him up.
“I agree with you, Troy,” Yurk said. “It looks like he more slipped than anything. You see he touches him and there was some slight contact, but I don’t think that’s significant hindrance of his ability to catch the pass. I wish they had gotten together on that one and picked it up.”
The penalty ended up being costly, as McCarthy found Aaron Jones for a 27-yard touchdown pass on the very next play. Minnesota made the two-point conversion to take a 20-17 lead, its first all night long.
“You just see him go to the ground and you assume he got tugged,” Troy Aikman continued on the pass interference call. “Tyrique Stevenson, he is expecting the ball. When they’re bringing an all out blitz, they’re expecting the ball to come out quick than what it did.”
That woudn’t be the end as the Vikings got a stop of defense and then scored on the very next drive to go up 27-17. Chicago answered to make it 27-24, but that was as close as it got as the Vikings escaped with the win.
The pass interference call will loom large for Bears fans, but it wasn’t just that that led to the team’s collapse. In the end, Chicago has a lot to be disappointed in after it looked at one point to have the game in hand.
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy finished 13-of-20 passing for 143 yards and three total touchdowns in the win. That included the final two scores of the game that helped Minnesota take the lead for good.
The Vikings have to feel good about his performance down the stretch after a lackluster first half. They move on to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 as McCarthy will aim to carry over his impressive play.
Cody Bellinger Demands Bigger Payday: Wants Higher Value Contract to Stay with Yankees
In a bold statement that’s stirring up the New York Yankees’ off-season drama, Cody Bellinger has made it clear that he’s looking for a bigger payday with his next contract if he’s to remain with the Bronx Bombers. After a strong season, Bellinger’s future with the Yankees is now a hot topic, and the star outfielder isn’t backing down when it comes to securing a high-value deal.
“I’ve put in the work and shown what I’m capable of,” Bellinger said, alluding to his impressive stats and impact on the Yankees lineup. “I want to continue to play for this team, but I believe I’ve earned a contract that reflects my contributions and market value.”
Bellinger’s standout performances in both the outfield and at the plate have made him one of the most valuable players in the Yankees’ roster. With his all-around abilities, the Yankees have benefitted greatly from his presence, and Bellinger is now positioning himself for a contract that would reflect that value.
The Yankees are known for making big moves, but they’ll have to balance their books while keeping Bellinger satisfied. As the contract talks heat up, fans are wondering: Will the Yankees be willing to pay top dollar to keep Bellinger, or will another team swoop in with an even more lucrative offer?
Bellinger’s next contract could be the defining moment of his career, and the pressure is on both the player and the Yankees’ front office to reach an agreement that keeps the star in New York for years to come.
