CINCINNATI — On back-to-back plays in overtime, the Vikings turned to a Tush Push with quarterback Nick Mullens needing to gain just a few inches. And both times, the Vikings failed to convert the first down.

That proved costly as the Vikings turned the ball over on downs, gifting the Bengals the ball back near midfield.

A few plays later, the Vikings walked off the field with a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Bengals after Evan McPherson converted a 29-yard field goal.

Though the inability to pick up less than a yard in overtime will be the story of the game, and rightfully so, the fact that Mullens turned the ball over twice in the red zone also played a role in the frustrating result.

Never mind that Mullens finished 26 of 33 passing for 303 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his first start with the Vikings. He also threw a pair of interceptions that more or less took points off the board for the Vikings.

The game started with Mullens leaning heavily on running back Ty Chandler out of the backfield. The result was a 12-play, 75-yard drive that concluded with Chandler plunging into the end zone for a 7-3 Vikings lead.

It would have been a blowout victory had it not been for Mullens carelessly turning the ball over.

On multiple occasions, the Vikings crossed the threshold of the red zone after moving the ball efficiently on offense. They ended up with no points to show for it as Mullens threw a pair of interceptions that likely made head coach Kevin O’Connell want to pull his hair out on the sideline.

Luckily for the Vikings, the defense stood firm, which allowed them to take a slim lead into halftime despite losing the turnover battle.

The lead for the Vikings grew shortly after halftime when rookie Jordan Addison hauled in a pass from Mullens and raced 37 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-3. In complete control, the Vikings added a field goal from kicker Greg Joseph to stretch the lead to 17-3.

That deficit seemed to awaken the Bengals, and on the very next time they got the ball, Browning put together his best drive of the game. After dinking and dunking his way down the field, Browning dropped a dime to receiver Tee Higgins in the end zone to make it 17-10.

That gave the Bengals some confidence, and they kept it rolling on the next possession, with Browning finding receiver Ja’Marr Chase over the middle for a huge conversion on third and long. A few plays later, running back Joe Mixon rushed for a touchdown to tie the score 17-17.

It then looked like Mullens threw a devastating pick six at the worst possible moment for the Vikings. The home crowd at Paycor Stadium went berserk as Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt celebrated with his teammates in the end zone.

The only issue? A piece of yellow laundry on the field.

Apparently, Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was offsides on the play, which nullified the interception and touchdown, and gave the Vikings the ball back in a tie game. A few plays later, Mullens floated a pass to Addison for a touchdown to put the Vikings in front 24-17.

Naturally, the Bengals responded with a touchdown of their own, with Browning finding Higgins for an incredible connection near the goal line to tie the score 24-24.

That set the stage for overtime, where the Vikings let a win slip out of their grasps after not being able to gain less than a yard when they needed it most.

Related Articles

Ty Chandler gets start for Vikings with Alexander Mattison ruled out

Vikings at Bengals picks: Jake Browning get the nod in battle of backup QBs

Vikings at Bengals: What to know ahead of Week 15 matchup

‘I know how good I am’: Vikings undrafted rookie Ivan Pace Jr. has always proved his doubters wrong

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 15