The Minnesota Vikings attribute their 28-24 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday to the raucous atmosphere created by home crowd noise at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings had a first-and-goal situation from the 6-yard line after converting a fourth-and-5 with a pass to T.J. Hockenson in the final minute of regulation.
With no timeouts left after the comeback, quarterback Kirk Cousins was unable to hear the play call, allowing 29 seconds to pass.
Cousins might have saved time by spiking the ball instead of waiting for the play to be called by head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Cousins claimed, "Just couldn't hear him with the noise," according to ESPN. I simply called a play, and the play I named was the one he was attempting to reach.
O'Connell remarked that the fan noise from the home crowd occasionally occurs. "When we're in a normal two-minute mode, it's not always noticed."
The 12-year NFL veteran and sixth-year quarterback for Minnesota, who is 35, said he tries "not to make a habit of" making snap choices.