It was a football game with beginnings and endings that left the “Who Dat” people with cheers followed by their tears as the Minneapolis Vikings scored a final note of victory in the last second of play.
And it was a game with an opening that showed every sign of victory for the Vikings at the beginning and victory for the Vikings at the end.
It was an unbelievable game that put the Vikings in the lead throughout the first half and the Saints in the lead at the very end when that unbelievable ending occurred.
One could not believe it happened with a great pass, a blocked punt, a turnover and then when Viking quarterback Case Keenum threw the final play – – a 61-yard touchdown pass on the last play of the ballgame.
The Saints were trailing 17 to 0 at halftime and then with great football in the second half began to capture the lead. They finally grabbed a 24 to 23 lead with only 25 seconds left on the clock.
There it was – third down and 10 and Minnesota on its own 39-yard line and only one down left on the clock.
And the Saints were ready to head toward Philadelphia for Sunday’s NFC championship game … but it didn’t happen.
Quarterback Keenum shot a pass down the right sideline toward Stefon Diggs, who leaped into airspace where Saints Safety Marcus Williams who already had five tackles and an interception in the game, missed the airborne Diggs who stopped himself before going out of bounds and sped into the end zone untouched for the winning touchdown.
It was a sad ending to a thrilling game that had given Saints living hopes for its second Super Bowl win. May our hopes come again – next year?
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