The Minneapolis Miracle
- Dec 17, 2019
- 3 min read
2018 NFL, NFC Championship Game – the creation of the Coldest Photo in Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings hosted the New Orleans Saints
Minnesota got out to a quick start, winning the first quarter 10-0, before improving the score to 17-0 at the half time break.
Finally, in the third quarter, New Orleans would hit the scoreboard with a touchdown of their own, heading into the 4th quarter 17-7.
New Orleans tacked on another TD with 13 minutes to go in the final quarter, bringing the game to 17-14.
Minnesota responded with only a Field Goal to make the score 20-14.
New Orleans marched down and with a touchdown pass to running back Alvin Kamara, the Saints took the lead away from the home team for the first time all game. . . 20-21.
Again, Minnesota could only manage a field goal, but it was enough to take the lead back, 23-21 with only 1:39 minutes to go in the game.
Truly, it was shocking to most people that this offense had managed to consistently put up points.
In clutch Drew Brees’ fashion, he was able to march down the field and set up a field goal and kicker Will Lutz came in clutch with a 50-yard field goal to give the Saints the lead, 23-24 with only 25 seconds left in the NFC Championship.
The game was. . . well all but over, Case Keenum, was (and still is) at best an average quarterback, maybe not even average in the eyes of many. Despite the incredible receiver core of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, along with Kyle Rudolph at Tight End, the Vikes’ only ranked #10 in offence and had relied heavily on their #1 ranked defence, who had inevitably began to fold to a high-powered Drew Brees / Alvin Kamara / Michael Thomas offense. A tough task for any defence.
So, with only 25 seconds left, the game seemed all but over for the Vikings.
Even Vikings Cornerback Xavier Rhodes said himself: “We thinking season over, Minnesota don’t usually get miracles.”
But then, the Minneapolis Miracle.
Play call: Buffalo Right, Key left, 7 Heaven.
Recently listed as the 9th best play in 100 Years of the NFL, the Miracle is one play that will haunt Saints fans forever and one that all other fans will look at in awe for years to come.
On the 39-yard line, Case Keenum and the Vikings offense lined up for the final play of the game. The ball was snapped and Stefon Diggs manages to go up over 2 Saints’ defenders, snag the ball, while at his feet Saints’ safety Marcus Williams misses a clear tackle, taking out his team mate. Diggs lands, but stumbles before managing to regain his feet, leaving him with a clear path into the end zone as time expires.
It is a moment that is truly hard to explain, but the sound of 67,000 people, collectively holding their breath, before bursting into pandemonium is something that any sports fan will enjoy. It truly is something magical, and on one of the biggest stages, Stefon Diggs produced perhaps one of the greatest photo’s in sports. As he stops in the endzone, take off. His helmet and tosses it aside while staring up into the Minnesota crowd.
An incredible moment, no matter what sport your interest lies in.
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