'No, no, it was an optical illusion': How the NFL shut down a field goal controversy

Vikings kicker Will Reichard’s disputed London miss has reignited debate after a broadcaster’s on-air remark. The league insists there’s no video proof the ball hit a camera wire and kept the miss in the stats. Betting impact: punters should be cautious with long field-goal props at international venues — bookmakers may shorten lines on kickers or factor in stadium camera setups; expect volatility in kicker over/under and in-game live markets.

Reichard’s London Miss Reopens Debate Over Camera Wires and Kicking Accuracy

Eighteen days after a dramatic 51-yard missed field goal in London, the controversy returned when a broadcast comment suggested the kick hit a camera wire. That on-air remark prompted league officials to reassert their conclusion: there is no video evidence showing contact between the football and any broadcast cable, and the miss remains in the official statistics.

League Response and Internal Review

A league spokesperson said engineers on site in London verified that the camera positions made cable interference with the ball impossible. Slow-motion replays used by broadcasters, the spokesperson added, came from a low-end zone camera that compresses depth, creating an optical illusion where the ball and a cable appear in the same frame without contact.

Owners’ Meeting Defense

The league included the play in a video shown to owners and executives at a recent meeting, presenting multiple angles and annotated graphics to illustrate the position of camera wires relative to the kick. Football operations officials defended the conclusion that the ball did not contact a cable, while using a separate example from another game to highlight genuine cable interference that should have prompted a replay.

Agent, Team and Player Perspectives

Reichard’s agent pursued a change to the official stat line after the London game, with an initial indication from a league contact that a correction might be possible. That stance was later reversed, with the league saying a postgame stat change could not be made because the play had not been reviewed during the game.

Team Reaction

Vikings coaches and special teams staff submitted the play for possible review under their allotted challenges. The head coach acknowledged he hadn’t seen anything conclusive in real time from the sideline, but the special teams coordinator said the team flagged the kick for the league to examine. Coaches described the moment as unusual given Reichard’s typical ball flight.

Rulebook and Replay Implications

Under the rule that the ball touching foreign objects is reviewable, the team’s submission argued the play merited review. The league’s replay department did not initiate a review during the game. League officials used the episode to emphasize the need to reconsider how low cameras and guide wires are mounted at international venues to avoid future disputes.

What It Means for Reichard and the Vikings

Reichard has sought to move on from the incident, saying it’s hard to be certain whether the ball actually contacted a wire and preferring to put the episode behind him. The team expressed frustration but deferred to the league’s process. The controversy produced robust discussion within the NFL about equipment positioning and replay procedures for overseas games.

Wider Takeaway for Fans and Bettors

The episode highlights how broadcast angles and camera technology can shape perceptions of game events. For bettors, the practical takeaway is to monitor how sportsbooks adjust kicker props and in-game odds for matches played at international sites; unusual camera setups and the potential for replay disputes can create short-term volatility in markets.

Did Vikings' Will Reichard hit a camera wire on his FG attempt in London? He says yes -- the NFL says no.

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