Xavier Rhodes gets heated with Mike Zimmer after blown coverage

December 2, 2019

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Xavier Rhodes got heated with Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer on the sidelines after allowing a long touchdown in the third quarter of “Monday Night Football.”

Rhodes was 1-on-1 with David Moore and got beat for a 60-yard touchdown on a 3rd-and-5:

Rhodes open. David Moore beats Xavier Rhodes for a 60-yard TD. Coverage bust.

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/S8XG1EZAkn

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 3, 2019

Multiple reporters said Rhodes was looking around like he thought he was supposed to have safety help on the play, which might explain how he let Moore get past him so easily.

Rhodes is really heated on sideline. Looked like he tossed helmet, knocked water bottle out of assistant's hand, stomping around. Frustration mounting.

— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) December 3, 2019

A look at the pre-snap formation shows Harrison Smith was near the line of scrimmage and that Anthony Harris was on the other side of the field. There is no reason Rhodes should have been expecting safety help based on where his safeties lined up.

Two reporters said Rhodes got into it with Zimmer on the sidelines after the play:

Xavier Rhodes, who barked back and forth with Mike Zimmer after the TD, is not in on this drive … and before I can finish typing the #Seahawks just scored again.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 3, 2019

Xavier Rhodes is pacing on the sideline and yelling. Looked like he said something in the direction of Mike Zimmer but by the time Zimmer turned, Rhodes was walking in the other direction.

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) December 3, 2019

Rhodes was briefly benched, though he later returned and forced a fumble that led to a Vikings touchdown. He was having a rough game prior to his big forced fumble.