Collapse: five late-game meltdowns

The Vikings blew five late fourth-quarter leads last season on their way to a 5-10-1 record.

The

game

Chicago 31, Vikings 30

(Sept. 15 at CHI)

Cleveland 31, Vikings 27

(Sept. 22 at MN)

Dallas 27, Vikings 23

(Nov. 3 at DAL)

Green Bay 26, Vikings 26

(Nov. 24 at GB)

Baltimore 29, Vikings 26

(Dec. 8 at BAL)

The

scenario

The Bears drove 66 yards in the final three minutes, scoring on Jay Cutler's 16-yard TD pass.

Brian Hoyer capped an 11-play, 55-yard drive with a 7-yard TD pass with 55 seconds remaining.

The Cowboys went 90 yards in nine plays before Tony Romo threw a 7-yard TD with 35 seconds left.

The Vikings led 23-7 with 12 minutes left, but the Packers got two TDs and a FG to force OT. Both had FGs in OT.

The wildest fourth quarter in history resulted in 36 points in the final 2:05. The winning TD came with four ticks left.

The

culprit

Coordinator Alan Williams' final-drive play calls confused his defense.

QB Christian Ponder took one of his six sacks as the final Vikings drive ended.

Players criticized conservative coaching on both sides of the ball late in the game.

The Vikings had six defensive penalties in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Questionable officiating, including a phantom interference call on the final drive.

chris miller