Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell faced difficulty clarifying the NFL’s helmet-to-helmet contact penalty after Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson’s hit on quarterback Josh Dobbs during a Week 11 game. O’Connell, expressing frustration over the officials’ non-call, mentioned the fast-paced nature of the game and the direct helmet-to-helmet hit, emphasizing disagreement with the ruling.
Despite NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay openly disagreeing with the non-call and stating that Jackson’s hit should have been penalized for unnecessary roughness, no penalty was assessed. The Broncos capitalized on the turnover, scoring a field goal, leading to a 21-20 Vikings loss.
Kareem Jackson, returning after a two-game suspension for previous rule violations, vowed to alter his playing style but noted his instinctive nature in tackling situations. He has faced fines totaling nearly $90,000 this season and is likely to receive another fine for the hit on Dobbs.
While Jackson’s return resulted from a reduced suspension following an appeal, the NFL had not addressed the hit as of Monday morning.
Looking ahead, the Vikings have an opportunity to rebound from Sunday’s loss in another primetime matchup against the Chicago Bears on November 27. Despite the potential return of Justin Jefferson, who was on injured reserve, the Vikings have performed well offensively, averaging 23.8 points during a 5-1 run without him.
In summary, O’Connell expressed frustration with the non-call on Jackson’s helmet-to-helmet hit, despite an analyst disagreeing. Jackson, returning after suspension, pledged to adjust his playing style, and the Vikings aim to bounce back in their upcoming primetime game against the Chicago Bears.
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