MINNEAPOLIS –Laquon Treadwell saw the spiral, leapt in the air, reached for the pass and felt the pigskin on the tips of his fingers.
As he pulled the ball down and tucked it against his body amid two Packers defenders, the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium roared. An instant replay on the video boards triggered an even more deafening response in a 23-10 Vikings win on Sunday.
"It was a huge part of the game, and it was an unbelievable catch," Adam Thielen said. "I mean, the corners were talking to me after that, saying how amazing of a catch it was. When you have the other team talking about how good of a catch it is, that's pretty impressive."
Treadwell's big play came on second-and-five and gained 25 yards to move Minnesota up to its 47-yard line. The drive – in which he had another 8-yard grab – ultimately ended in a 34-yard field goal by Kai Forbath to extend the Vikings lead to 20-10.
The second-year receiver said after the game that putting the effort into practice prepared him to make a play.
"I was ready for the moment," Treadwell said. "It's always fun to be out there competing and helping your team win."
Treadwell played more snaps Sunday in the absence of Stefon Diggs, who missed the game with a groin injury.
"I did expect [to get more snaps]," Treadwell said. "I always do my best to stay mentally ready even though other guys are making plays. I knew my time would come, and I made the most out of it."
Case Keenum, who was hit on the play, joked in his post-game podium session that he would look forward to seeing Treadwell's catch on tape.
"I didn't see the catch. I was on the ground," Keenum quipped. "You will have to tell me about it. I will watch it on film. From what the crowd sounded like, it sounded like it was pretty impressive.
"He makes a lot of plays at practice," Keenum continued. "He's been doing that for a long time. He's a guy that is developing really well. I like throwing him the football – it was good to see him get hot tonight."
Treadwell earlier in the game caught another long pass from Keenum for 18 yards. He finished the game with three receptions for 51 yards.
Another significant moment for the 22-year-old occurred on a Vikings blunder.
Jerick McKinnon fumbled the ball at the Green Bay 20-yard line, and Packers linebacker Clay Matthews picked it up and took off running down the sideline, looking for a scoop-and-score. Treadwell wasn't about to let that happen, however. As Matthews neared the end zone, Treadwell caught up to him and punched the ball out from behind. The ball rolled out of bounds at the Minnesota 18.
Although the Packers were able to find the end zone on a pass to Davante Adams a couple of plays later, Treadwell's effort showed on the play.
"I was just hustling, and I couldn't let him score," Treadwell said. "I tried to knock it inbounds so I could at least jump on it and get the ball back. I saw him relaxing, and he thought he was going to walk in, and I just made a play on it."
Minnesota's win over Green Bay marked Treadwell's most productive contest since being drafted 23rd overall in 2016.
Zimmer has regularly praised Treadwell's work ethic and did so again following the game.
"He works really hard in practice and makes great catches," Zimmer said. "He's a guy that works really, really hard. I'm glad that he had some success today, and obviously the catch on the sideline is as good as there is."
The Vikings this season have dealt with injuries to starting quarterback Sam Bradford, rooking running back Dalvin Cook and against the Packers were without Diggs, but they have continued to fight and put points on the board.
Treadwell credited Minnesota's coaching staff for helping the offense to not miss much of a beat.
"They make us work," Treadwell said. " 'Next guy up' has kind of been my role right now, just waiting and working. There's so many good guys on the team that you just have to wait your turn and continue to stay focused and continue to believe in yourself."
The young receiver's teammates echoed Zimmer's sentiments about Treadwell's moment to shine.
"It was good to see him make plays. It's hard to stay patient in this league and kind of wait for your opportunity to come, but you can't squander that opportunity when it does come," tight end Kyle Rudolph said. "The one on their sideline was huge for us – to go up and make that catch, it was a huge conversion for us."
Treadwell wasn't the only one with a one-handed grab Sunday.
There was some debate over which catch was more remarkable between Treadwell and safety Harrison Smith, who **snagged a tough interception** of Packers QB Brett Hundley early in the fourth quarter.
While Treadwell said Smith's defensive dive might take the cake, Smith begged to differ.
"I've gotta give it to Laquon," Smith said with a smile. "That was, uh, I don't know how he did that one. That was impressive."
