By Darin 🏈 10 Seconds of Impossible
It was a moment that defied physics, logic, and decades of Minnesota sports heartbreak. On January 14, 2018, during the NFC Divisional Playoff, the Minnesota Vikings were staring down a season-ending defeat. With only 10 seconds remaining and no timeouts, the Vikings trailed the New Orleans Saints 24-23. The atmosphere in U.S. Bank Stadium was a mixture of desperate prayer and mounting grief—until Case Keenum stepped into the pocket.
The Play: “Diggs! Sideline! Unbelievable!”
What happened next became known instantly as the Minneapolis Miracle. Facing a third-and-10 from their own 39-yard line, Keenum launched a high “heaven-help-us” pass toward the right sideline. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs leaped into the air to pull the ball down.
Article from Jan 15, 2018 Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
In an attempt to avoid a pass interference penalty or tackle Diggs in-bounds to end the game, Saints safety Marcus Williams lunged low. He missed completely, colliding with his own teammate and falling to the turf. Diggs, remarkably keeping his balance by putting one hand on the ground, realized there was no one between him and the end zone. He sprinted 61 yards for the first walk-off touchdown in NFL regulation postseason history as the stadium exploded into a deafening roar.
A Legacy of “SKOL”
The 29-24 victory propelled the Vikings to the NFC Championship and left the Saints in a state of shell-shocked disbelief. Even after the field was cleared, players had to return from the locker room for a mandatory, albeit meaningless, extra-point attempt. Diggs’ toss of his helmet and his iconic pose with arms outstretched became the defining image of the 2017 season.
While the Vikings’ journey would end the following week, the Minneapolis Miracle remains a testament to the fact that in the NFL, it is truly never over until the clock hits zero. It wasn’t just a win; it was a moment of pure, unadulterated sports magic.
