What Is The Minneapolis Miracle? NFL Playoff Shocker That Made History
What is the Minneapolis Miracle? It’s the kind of magical sports moment that will give you chills no matter how many times you relive it. 😱 #MinneapolisMiracle #Skol #NFCPlayoffs
Minneapolis, Minnesota – The Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints squared off in a thrilling NFC divisional playoff game on January 14, 2018. It looked like the Saints had victory in hand, coming back from a 17-0 deficit to take a 24-23 lead with just 25 seconds left on the clock. The Vikings’ Super Bowl dreams seemed all but dashed.
But then, the unthinkable happened. On the very last play of the game, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum heaved a desperate 27-yard pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs near the sideline. What happened next sent shockwaves through the sports world.
This is the story of the Minneapolis Miracle.
Missed Tackle Turns Into Miracle TD
Saints safety Marcus Williams leaped to try to knock down the pass, but horrifically mistimed his jump. He missed Diggs entirely and took out his own teammate in the process. Diggs miraculously held onto the ball, kept his balance, and seeing nothing but green turf in front of him, turned on the jets and sprinted into the end zone as time expired.
The stadium erupted as the Minnesota Vikings completed the impossible 61-yard game-winning touchdown. It was the first time in NFL playoff history a game ended on a touchdown as the clock hit zero. The Vikings’ radio announcer Paul Allen perfectly captured the moment, exclaiming it’s a Minneapolis Miracle!
Joyous Celebrations & Stunned Silence
Diggs threw his helmet in elation as teammates mobbed him in the end zone. The Vikings players and fans celebrated in pure joy and disbelief at what they had just witnessed. On the Saints sideline, players looked on in stunned silence, trying to process the gut-wrenching turn of events. Many Saints players left for the locker room, assuming the game was over.
But the teams had to return for one final formality – a mandatory two-point conversion attempt. Most Saints players didn’t even bother coming back out. The Vikings took a knee to officially end the game.
The Aftermath of an Instant Classic
The Miracle catapulted Keenum and Diggs to stardom and won Play of the Year honors. The NFL later changed the rules so that teams no longer have to line up for meaningless conversion attempts after game-ending scores. Those final seconds overshadowed an otherwise thrilling contest that the Saints valiantly fought back in.
While the Vikings came down from their high with a blowout loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship, the Minneapolis Miracle will live on forever as one of the most spectacular finishes in NFL history. Sports fans will be left wondering How did he catch that?! for generations to come.
A Shocking Ending No One Will Forget
So let’s recap this unbelievable finish one more time: The Vikings are down by 1 with 10 seconds left, at their own 39 yard line. Keenum drops back and uncorks a deep pass to Diggs, who leaps to catch it near the sideline. The Saints safety mistimes his tackle, misses Diggs completely, and accidentally takes out his own teammate.
Diggs somehow keeps his balance and with no one even close to him, turns on the afterburners and outruns everyone for a jaw-dropping 61-yard walk-off touchdown. Absolutely unreal. The stadium erupts, the Vikings go wild, the Saints are left shell-shocked. And the sports world gets an NFL playoff ending unlike anything we’ve ever seen.
Now that’s what you call a true Minneapolis Miracle. One thing’s for sure – no one who watched those unforgettable final 10 seconds will ever forget it. It’s the kind of magical sports moment that will give you chills no matter how many times you relive it.
🗣 Do you remember the Minneapolis Miracle? Have a fave sports moment that still sends shivers down your spine? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
