The Minneapolis Miracle: Stefon Diggs’ Last-Second Touchdown That Stunned the Saints
Introduction
On January 14, 2018, in the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints, football fans witnessed one of the most improbable finishes in NFL history. With just 10 seconds left, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum connected with wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a 61-yard touchdown that instantly became known as the “Minneapolis Miracle.” The play not only sent the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game but also became one of the most iconic moments in NFL playoff history.
Setting the Stage: Vikings vs. Saints, 2017 Season
The 2017 NFL season had been a storybook year for the Minnesota Vikings.
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Minnesota Vikings: Despite losing starting quarterback Sam Bradford early in the season, backup Case Keenum led the Vikings to a 13–3 record and the NFC’s No. 2 seed. The team boasted one of the league’s best defenses, anchored by Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, and Everson Griffen.
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New Orleans Saints: Led by veteran quarterback Drew Brees and dynamic rookie running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, the Saints were explosive on offense and hungry for another Super Bowl run.
The Divisional Round matchup promised fireworks, and the game delivered in every way.
The Game: A Playoff Thriller
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First Half: Minnesota jumped out to a 17–0 lead, dominating with strong defense and efficient offense.
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Second Half Comeback: Drew Brees and the Saints stormed back, scoring three touchdowns and eventually taking a 24–23 lead with just 25 seconds remaining, thanks to a field goal by Wil Lutz.
It appeared the Vikings’ magical season was about to end in heartbreaking fashion.
The Play: The Minneapolis Miracle
With 10 seconds left, the Vikings had the ball at their own 39-yard line, needing a miracle.
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The Call: Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur called “Seven Heaven,” a play designed to give Keenum a deep option near the sideline.
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The Throw: Keenum dropped back and lofted a high pass toward Stefon Diggs near the right sideline.
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The Catch: Diggs leapt over Saints rookie safety Marcus Williams, made the catch, and landed upright.
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The Run: With Williams having missed the tackle, Diggs turned and sprinted untouched into the end zone as time expired.
Final score: Vikings 29, Saints 24. The crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium erupted in pandemonium, and Paul Allen’s legendary radio call immortalized the moment: “It’s a Minneapolis Miracle!”
Reactions: Shock and Euphoria
The play instantly became one of the most unforgettable moments in NFL playoff history.
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For Vikings fans: Decades of playoff heartbreak — from missed field goals to late-game collapses — made the moment even sweeter.
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For Saints fans: It was another gut-wrenching playoff loss, joining a list of heartbreakers in franchise history.
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For the NFL: The highlight replayed endlessly on television and social media, instantly earning a place among the greatest postseason plays ever.
Aftermath: The Vikings’ Playoff Run
The victory sent the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the magic ended there, as the Eagles dominated 38–7 en route to winning Super Bowl LII.
Still, the Minneapolis Miracle stands as the defining moment of the Vikings’ 2017 season — and perhaps the defining moment of the franchise in the modern era.
Legacy of the Minneapolis Miracle
The play’s legacy endures for several reasons:
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Iconic Call: Paul Allen’s radio call added to the mystique and is replayed alongside the highlight.
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Instant Branding: The phrase “Minneapolis Miracle” was coined immediately and became part of NFL lore.
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Cultural Impact: The play is regularly ranked among the top 5 greatest playoff moments in NFL history.
For Stefon Diggs, the catch elevated his career and remains the signature highlight of his time with the Vikings. For Case Keenum, it was the peak moment of his unlikely breakout season.
Conclusion
The Minneapolis Miracle was more than just a touchdown — it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that captured everything fans love about the NFL: drama, unpredictability, and sheer joy.
For Vikings fans, it was vindication after years of playoff heartbreak. For the rest of the football world, it was proof that in the NFL, the impossible can become reality in the blink of an eye.
