On To Philadelphia

Minnesota Vikings 29
New Orleans Saints 24

"That didn't look like a curse out there, that looked like a Hail Mary."
         -Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer


It's sure nice to be on this side of a finish like that. This game is going to be remembered by the manner in which it ended. Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs. 61 yards. As time expired. It's a play that already has some names. That tends to happen. "Minneapolis Miracle." "Skol Mary." "Seven Heaven." The play apparently carries the name of Buffalo Right Seven Heaven. I'm not sure if that's for the jersey number of the quarterback that threw it or the points that it's supposed to score. Both work. It was the first time in NFL playoff history that a team won with a walk-off touchdown. It got the Vikings an NFC Championship game date with the Philadelphia Eagles. Next Sunday.

This was one of those games, one of those finishes that fans will never forget. Vikings fans that aren't even born will know this game as if they were there. US Bank Stadium holds less than 70,000 seats but history will bring hundreds of thousands that were there. Football is a 60 minute, four quarter game. 59 minutes and 50 seconds of this game will fade. "Were the Vikings up 17-0 or 20-0 at the half?" Everyone will remember those last ten seconds. Everyone will remember the line giving Keenum some time, Keenum making the perfect throw, and Diggs coming down with the ball. I know that I'll always remember screaming "get out of bounds, get out of bounds" and then "go, go, go, go....." Everyone will remember Diggs racing to the end zone and a win that many, only seconds before, had thought impossible.

These are the moments that make sports so wonderful. Those sudden moments that replace despair with exhilaration. It's also the exact opposite for fans on the other side. I feel bad for the Saints and their fans because I'm so familiar with the feeling that they're feeling now. It lasts. I don't feel bad enough for the Saints and their fans to switch places with them. This is the side of games like this and finishes like this that I want to be. If I could change anything that's already come from this game it's the ridiculous garbage thrown at Saints rookie safety Marcus Williams. The player that didn't make the play on Diggs. The worst that social media has to offer comes out after games like this. These pathetic, anonymous predators thirst for situations like this. Williams is a terrific football player. He had a wonderful debut season. He sparked the Saints comeback when his third quarter interception gave quarterback Drew Brees a short field. If Williams doesn't make that play there's probably no need for the Vikings to make a desperation play at the end of the game.

Every great season in Vikings franchise history has ended ended painfully. This season has felt a little different. It feels a lot different now. This win feels great but it only gets the Vikings one step closer to the big game. This ride isn't near done. It's on to Philadelphia.