Vikings shock Saints and win on last play

VIKINGS 29

SAINTS 24

Minneapolis, M.N. ~ The Minnesota Vikings absolutely shocked the New Orleans Saints Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when Case Keenum completed a prayer to a leaping Stefon Diggs, on the sideline, who pranced into the end-zone for a 61-yard touchdown as time expired while the crowd erupted in shock.

The Saints were in great position to win the game as QB Drew Brees drove them down the field and led kicker Wil Lutz to a 43-yard field goal to put New Orleans up 24-23 with 55 seconds remaining in the game.

With 10 seconds left in the game, the Vikings were out of timeouts after blowing a 17 point lead, and they were almost out of options with the ball at their own 39 yardline, needing to get into field goal range. Minnesota needed to get a reception on the sideline in field goal range for Kai Forbath. The first two options for Keenum were tight end Kyle Rudolph and wide-out Jarius Wright.

” He’s the big shot on that.”, said Wright, on Diggs.

But Rudolph and Wright couldn’t generate anything and Keenum had only one option. He said a prayer as he flung with ball out of his hand over to the right sideline, where a group of Vikings and Saints were waiting for the ball. Diggs leaped up in the air and caught the ball, expecting a hit. There was no such thing as New Orleans safety Marcus Williams tried to lower his shoulder into Diggs but missed. Diggs landed on the ground, almost fell over, and dashed to the end-zone with nobody in front of him.

Williams may have been trying to lower his shoulder into Diggs body, or he may have been trying to avoid a pass-interference call as he could have made contact with Diggs before he caught the ball.

Click here to see Diggs shocking TD.

Minnesota now plays the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday in Philly.

The Vikings came out roaring in the first half and quickly led 17-0. They forced the Saints to punt on their first three possessions. Drew Brees threw two first half interceptions, one off of a tipped pass when they were knocking on the door.

It was the opposite in the second half as the Saints scored on their first drive of the second half. The score was 17-7 entering the 4th Quarter. New Orleans then outscored the Vikes 14-3 before the two teams kicking field goals in the final few minutes of the game.

The rest is history : The Vikings had 10 seconds to try to get out of bounds and score a field goal, but they got more than that, a thrilling touchdown as time expired. And something we will all remember for a long time.

By Jacob Szczap