Will Reichard’s first field goal miss of the season missed badly. There appears to be a good reason why.<\/p>\n
The Vikings kicker attempted a 51-yard field goal against the Browns late in Sunday’s game in London. The ball appeared to be headed toward the uprights, then took a right turn and missed very wide.<\/p>\n
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Cleveland’s special teams unit appeared to get an assist from the equipment at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It wasn’t obvious in real time. But slow motion replay appears to show that the ball hit a camera cable on the way up before veering off to the right.<\/p>\n
The video’s not definitive. But it is compelling. The diagonal camera cable is clearly visible on replay.<\/p>\n
When the ball crosses the cable’s path, it changes direction. Officials didn’t catch it. Neither did the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t protest or issue a challenge. Reichard didn’t seem to notice himself.<\/p>\n
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[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24\/7<\/a>]<\/p>\n So the Browns took over on downs and in possession of a 17-14 lead. Had officials confirmed the that the ball hit the cable, the Vikings would have been awarded a re-kick and a second chance at a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n Fortunately for the Vikings, the mishap didn’t cost them in the long run. Minnesota rallied for a 21-17 win<\/a> to improve to 3-2 and remain competitive in the NFC North. Reichard’s perfect kicking season, however, is no more. He’s now 8 for 9 on field goals with Sunday’s miss.<\/p>\n Another Skycam mishap<\/p>\n This wasn’t the only incident Sunday in which camera equipment impacted the direction of a live ball. In New Jersey, Cowboys pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. deflected a pass by Jets quarterback Justin Fields off his helmet. The ball bounced high into the air and hit the Skycam before bouncing back to the field at an awkward angle.<\/p>\n