Do You Believe in Magic?

Well, I think the Minnesota Vikings just may!

What can once be referred to as a tale of two halves, Keenum and the Vikes took a page out of Payton’s playbook and put together a swift and effective drive with a near-hopeless 25 seconds on the clock, as Super Bowl hopes of the Purple Pride-including 99-year-old fan Millie– were quickly dashing just moments prior. All New Orleans had to do was stage a standoff for less than a handful of plays and what became a monumental miss by rookie safety Marcus Williams will forever be a “what if” to the Brees-led Saints.  Stefon Diggs’ unlikely walk-off TD would seal the deal.

The first half was undoubtedly dominated by the home team in what may have appeared to pave the way to a good old-fashioned blow-out and maybe even a shutout.  Who Dat nation was silenced until, as he typically does, veteran QB Drew Brees executed a couple of high-powered drives to come within three.   It was then a battle of field goals and a third competitor had arrived: the clock.  Will Lutz struck a 43-yarder to what most considered an end to yet another improbable Saints comeback win.

Case Keenum joined the ranks of some timeless quarterbacks and has even drawn comparison to the original gunslinger himself, Brett Favre, who once led a thrilling Vikings comeback win with a measly 34 seconds on the clock, to eventually beat the Arizona Cardinals and keep playoff hopes alive.  Good on ya, Keenum.  Make note that Case was not the intended starter when the season began.  In fact, it was quite a complicated several weeks for the Purple and Gold on who was going to consistently lead their team under center.  Fans hoped Bridgewater would return from his gruesome leg injury from a shocking 2016 training camp incident, where he nearly lost his leg, and be the guy.  Let’s not forget about the other piece of the confusing quarterback puzzle, Sam Bradford, who has recently recovered from yet another knee injury (and was actually activated against the Saints).  It appears the Vikes made the right call sticking with Keenum who actually was not named the official starter until Week 13 of the regular season.

Divisional Weekend did not disappoint and the final game to cap off the foursome of matchups gave viewers more reason to buy in to Championship Sunday, as we have seen that anything can happen- Jax over Pittsburgh anyone? Minnesota will travel to Philly and take on the hungry Eagles as underdog Jacksonville heads to a record-busting Gillette Stadium to take on Brady and company.