Minneapolis Miracle
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| date | January 14, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stadion | US Bank Stadium | ||||||||||||||||||
| city | Minneapolis , Minnesota | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of visitors | 66,612 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Television broadcast | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | NFL on Fox | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commentators | Joe Buck , Troy Aikman , Erin Andrews and Chris Myers | ||||||||||||||||||
As Minneapolis Miracle ( English for miracle of Minneapolis ), also Minnesota Miracle , the last play of the divisional round playoff game of the season 2017 in the US American football league NFL between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints will be and the name is often used for the entire game. The National Football Conference game took place on January 14, 2018 in front of 66,612 spectators at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis . The name Minneapolis Miracle was coined by sports commentator Paul Allen , who commented on the game live on the radio. On this move , for the first time in the history of the NFL playoffs, a game-winning touchdown was achieved with the last action . Among other things, he received the NFL Play of the Year Award for the most remarkable move of the year.
After the Vikings were still in the lead 17-0 at halftime, the Saints had taken the lead 24:23 25 seconds before the end of the game. On their last play, with ten seconds left on the clock, the Vikings were on their own 39- yard line. In this, Case Keenum , the Vikings quarterback , threw a 27 yard pass at wide receiver Stefon Diggs . After a mistake by a Saints defense player, the latter brought the ball into the end zone and thus scored the decisive touchdown at the end of the game , through which the Vikings won 29:24.
background
Both teams had finished the 2017 regular season as winners of their respective divisions of the National Football Conference and were thus confidently entered the playoffs.
The Minnesota Vikings had a record of 13 wins and three losses in the NFC North , making them second-best team in the National Football Conference behind the Philadelphia Eagles ; thus they had no play in the wild card round of the playoffs. One of the most outstanding players of the season was the newcomer Case Keenum , who led the offense from the second week as starting quarterback and ousted regular players Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford in this position, who were injured. Due to his good performance, he remained starter for Minnesota even after the recovery of the quarterbacks originally standing in front of him and was one of the best passers of the season. The defense of the Vikings with defensive end Everson handles and cornerback Xavier Rhodes had allowed the fewest yards of space gain in the regular season. Together with wide receiver Adam Thielen from offense, both players were due to their good performances in the Pro Bowl 2018 (the all-star game of the NFL), which took place two weeks after the game of Minnesota against New Orleans; four other players were also nominated as substitutes for the Pro Bowl.
The New Orleans Saints had entered the playoffs with a record of 11: 5 as the winners of NFC South as the fourth best team in the National Football Conference, where they first had to play in the Wild Card Round in a home game against the Carolina Panthers , who as fifth-best team qualified via the wild cards and were beaten by the Saints in both games of the season. The Saints won the match with 31:26. Among the important players from New Orleans, among others, the ten-time Pro Bowl participants attended Drew Brees on the position of quarterbacks with the Saints in the 2009 season, the Super Bowl XLIV - in the Brees on Super Bowl MVP was elected - won and who played one of his best seasons in 2017. Furthermore, the rookie Alvin Kamara should be highlighted in the position of running back , who was voted NFL Rookie of the Year , among other things . In addition, five other Saints players were nominated for the Pro Bowl, where the later NFC team was also looked after by the Saints' head coach , Sean Payton .
Both teams met in Minneapolis in the first week of the regular season. The game ended in a 29:19 win for the Vikings. Before the encounter in the playoffs, the Vikings were considered favorites, who had been particularly strong this season, especially at home games.
Starting grid
The following players were on the starting line-ups of the two teams:
Game summary
First half
In the first four moves (the first drive ), the Saints didn't gain ten yards of space, so no new first down . Since this was foreseeable after the third attempt, they had to punt early and gave up the right to attack. The Vikings then scored a touchdown on their first drive after a 14-yard run by Jerick McKinnon and took a 7-0 lead after a successful extra point . In the second drive, the Saints' offense failed to win a point and after another punt, the Vikings increased to 10-0 with a field goal from Kai Forbath from 20 yards away. The next two series of attacks each ended with a punt. In the following attack by the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees threw a long pass on Ted Ginn Jr. in the first play , which was intercepted by Minnesota's safety Andrew Sendejo ( interception ). With their next possession, the Vikings extended their lead to 17-0 after a touchdown by Latavius Murray , who brought the ball into the end zone from a yard away. After another interception by the Saints, both sides awarded a field goal attempt, so that it remained at 17-0 at the break.
Second half
After the half-time break, the Saints succeeded in the third quarter, after they had stopped the Vikings offense at their own 40-yard line, their first point win with a 14-yard pass to Michael Thomas in the end zone and a successful point after touchdown ( 17: 7). Then a throw was intercepted by Case Keenum , whereupon the Saints shortened to 17:14 with another touchdown (3-yard pass to Michael Thomas). With a field goal from 49 yards, the Vikings were able to increase their lead again (20:14). After an unsuccessful drive by both teams, the Saints took the lead for the first time with their third touchdown with a pass over 14 yards to running back Alvin Kamara (20:21). With one minute and 29 seconds left on the clock, the Vikings regained the lead with a field goal from 53 yards, bringing it to 23:21. The Saints also scored a field goal 25 seconds before the end after they had played off a successful fourth attempt and thus restored the lead (23:24).
The decisive move
In order to achieve at least one field goal, the Vikings had after the kickoff of the Saints - with a remaining timeout - 25 seconds of playing time at 75 yards away from the opposing end zone. After a 5-yard penalty for a false start of the offense, a pass for 19 yards and two incomplete passes , the Vikings were without further time out outside of field goal range at their own 39-yard line, 61 yards from the enemy end zone removed.
The Vikings started a play called "Buffalo Right, Seven Heaven". Buffalo Right means that three receivers are bundled on the right side in order to mess up the cover of the defense, where Buffalo stands as a code for Bunch Formation (German about bundling ). Seven stands for the route of the receiver towards the touchline. The aim of the play was to catch the ball on the touchline and to stop the clock by leaving the field of play. This should at least preserve the chance of a very long field goal and thus still be able to win.
The zone defense of the Saints accordingly concentrated in particular on the outer lines to prevent the clock from stopping. The remaining time was far too short for the Vikings to be able to bring the field goal team onto the field quickly enough without stopping the clock.
In fact, Minnesota wide receiver Stefon Diggs managed to catch Keenum's pass at the opponent's 34-yard line on the right touchline. Before he could cross the touchline to stop the clock, Marcus Williams , safety of the Saints, tried to tackle Diggs . With a successful tackle, the time would have run out without the Vikings getting a chance at a field goal. Williams missed Diggs, however, at the same time unintentionally brought down his own cornerback Ken Crawley and thus robbed him of the chance to stop Diggs. Diggs was thus able to run to a touchdown in the opposing end zone, which he reached when the clock ran out. This secured the Vikings victory with a final score of 29:24.
Even if the touchdown had decided the game, according to the rules, the execution of the point after touchdown was mandatory . Since almost all the Saints' players had left the field and the Vikings were celebrating their victory, there was a longer break until both teams had taken the line-up for a two-point conversion . The Vikings waived with the move quarterback Kneel on further points.
reception
The live commentary from radio presenter Paul Allen, who commented on the game together with his colleague Pete Bercich (former player and coach of the Vikings) on the local radio station of Minnesota KFAN Sports Radio ( KFXN-FM ) and who coined the term Minneapolis Miracle, became particularly well known. Allen has been a commentator at the Minnesota Vikings flagship station for nearly twenty years , which also broadcasts the games of the Minnesota Golden Gophers' college football team and the Minnesota Wild ice hockey team in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area . The comment of the game-deciding phase in detail:
All:
“ Vikings at their own 39, it's third down. Three receivers right, Thielen left, Marshon Lattimore 12 yards from Adam… Case on the deep drop, steps up in the pocket, he'll fire to the right SIDE, CAUGHT BY DIGGS! ”
“Vikings on their own 39 yard line, third attempt. Three receivers on the right, Thielen on the left, Marshon Lattimore 12 yards away from Adam ... Case falls back, goes forward in the pocket , he will throw to the right, caught by Diggs! "
Bercich:
“ STAY INBOUNDS! OH MY GOD! NO WAY! ”
“Stay in the field! Oh God! Never in life! "
All:
“ Oh, he got loose! At the thirty! Ten! TOUCHDOWN! ”
“He broke up! At the 30 yard line! Ten yard line! Touchdown! "
Bercich:
“ OOOOOOOH! WHAT A MIRACLE FINISH! NO WAY! ”
"Oooooooh! What a miracle this end! Never in life! "
All:
“ Are you kidding me ?! It's a Minneapolis Miracle! Stefon Diggs! And the Minnesota Vikings have walked off on the New Orleans Saints! It's a 61-yard Minneapolis Miracle! ”
"Are you kidding ?! It's a miracle of Minneapolis! Stefon Diggs! The Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints! It's a 61-yard wonder from Minneapolis! "
Allen's comment quickly spread over the Internet and has since been viewed millions of times on the YouTube sports channel Highlight Heaven . Allen's saying about the Minneapolis Miracle not only developed into the epitome of the decisive move, but has since been used synonymously for the entire game.
The mishap of rookie Williams, who had contributed significantly to the Saints catching up with an interception in the third quarter, was described by some experts as one of the biggest mistakes in the history of the NFL playoffs. In addition, other criticisms of the defense on the last move were mentioned. It was criticized, among other things, that the Saints had set up two linebackers just behind the line of scrimmage , as the Vikings could not have used this zone sensibly with the limited time remaining. Another disadvantage was the use of four players in the pass rush , which New Orleans aggressively bet on a sack of the quarterback, although this aggressiveness was inappropriate at this point, since Minnesota, not New Orleans, was under pressure. With the usual number of three players in this defense strategy, another defender would have been freely available who should have supported the work of the Safeties . With appropriate adjustments in defense, the 1-on-1 situation in which Williams' fatal mistake would not have arisen in the first place.
On February 3, 2018, the play received by the first time in the play-offs of the National Football League , a game entscheidener touchdown was achieved with expiring time at the NFL Honors 2018 the price NFL Play of the Year Award (dt .: Price for NFL move of the year).
consequences
By beating the Saints, the Vikings saved the chance to be the first team to play in a Super Bowl in their own stadium. In the NFC Championship Game, however, Minnesota was clearly defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles with 7:38, who won the Super Bowl for the first time in Super Bowl LII with a 41:33 against the New England Patriots .
In addition, the end of the game led to a minor rule change in the NFL, after which the point after touchdown was abolished after a game-winning touchdown when the time expired.
Web links
- Stefon Diggs Makes Miracle TD Catch on Last Play, Vikings Win! ; NFL on youtube.com (English)
- Saints vs. Vikings | NFL Divisional Round Game Highlights ; NFL on youtube.com (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g National Football League Game Summary: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings , National Football League , January 14, 2018, accessed January 8, 2019 (PDF).
- ^ Courtney Cronin: Vikings lock up a first-round bye, No. 2 seed in NFC playoffs with win over Bears on espn.com, January 1, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Ian O'Connor: Case Keenum is having the ultimate breakout, but we shouldn't be surprised on espn.com, January 11, 2018, accessed October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Statistics on the National Football League website, accessed on January 8, 2019.
- ↑ James Brady: Panthers vs. Saints 2018 results: New Orleans survives comeback attempt, moves on to Divisional round on sbnation.com, January 7, 2018, accessed October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Drew Brees: New Orleans Saints and nothing else on ran.de, January 26, 2018, accessed October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Scott Barrett: Metrics that Matter: Record-setting efficiency from Alvin Kamara on profootballfocus.com, February 12, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton will coach in 2018 Pro Bowl , National Football League, January 15, 2018, accessed January 10, 2019.
- ↑ a b Jon Benne: Saints vs. Vikings 2018 live results: Minnesota wins instant classic on miracle finish on sbnation.com, January 14, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018.
- ^ New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings odds: NFL playoff picks from top-ranked expert on cbssports.com, January 14, 2018, accessed January 8, 2019.
- ↑ a b Barry Svrluga: Vikings outrun their tortured history, stun Saints with miraculous final play by Stefon Diggs , The Washington Post , January 14, 2018, accessed October 11, 2018.
- ↑ a b Peter King: 'That Play Right There Was God': Diggs, Dings and Dumbfounded Vikings On How They Stunned Saints on si.com, January 15, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Kevin Seifert: Inside the play that saved the Vikings' season - and crushed the Saints on espn.com, January 15, 2018, accessed on January 10, 2019.
- ↑ a b Sean Wagner-McGough: NFL eliminates unnecessary PATs, two-point conversions after walk-off touchdowns on cbssports.com, March 28, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018.
- ^ Vikings Radio Network. Minnesota Vikings Football, accessed January 19, 2019.
- ↑ Golden Gopher Game Audio. University of Minnesota Athletics, accessed January 19, 2019.
- ↑ Radio Network: KFAN FM 100.3. Minnesota Wild Hockey Club, accessed January 19, 2019.
- ↑ Kyle Ratke: This call of the 'Minneapolis Miracle' will give you the chills on vikingswire.usatoday.com, January 16, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018 (English).
- ↑ Paul Allen's Radio Call of the Minnesota Vikings' Unbelievable Miracle Touchdown vs. Saints. on the YouTube channel Highlight Heaven, January 14, 2018, accessed on January 19, 2019.
- ^ Drew Lyon: Pro Football's All-Time Greatest Comebacks. Capstone, 2019, ISBN 978-1-5435-5434-2 , p. 29.
- ↑ a b Vikings' 'Minneapolis Miracle' Named Play Of The Year on patch.com, February 5, 2018, accessed October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Master Tesfatsion: The Minneapolis Miracle Won't Define Marcus Williams. Bleacher Report, September 7, 2018, accessed January 19, 2019.
- ^ Ian Riise: New Orleans Saints Secondary Gets Redemption in Return to NFC Divisional Round. Last Word On Sports, January 14, 2019, accessed January 19, 2019.
- ↑ Mike Triplett: After final play blunder, Marcus Williams vows to 'do all I can to never let that happen again' on espn.com, January 15, 2018, accessed on October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Michael McCarthy: Was Marcus Williams' whiff the worst mistake in NFL playoff history? from sportingnews.com, January 16, 2018, accessed October 11, 2018.
- ↑ Steven Ruiz: Film review: Saints coaches - not Marcus Williams - are to blame for the Minneapolis Miracle , USA Today , January 16, 2018, accessed January 8, 2019.
- ↑ Dan Hanzus: 'Minnesota Miracle' made all sorts of NFL history. January 15, 2018, accessed January 11, 2019 .
- ↑ Rebecca Toback: Looking back at the emotions of the Minneapolis Miracle as the Vikings vs. Saints rematch nears. from sbnation.com, October 28, 2018, accessed January 19, 2019.
