Minnesota's 29-24 win over New Orleans in the Divisional Round of the NFC Playoffs on Jan. 14, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium will always be remembered for one iconic play.
But the game itself was a thriller as well, as the clash between the Vikings and Saints was unveiled Friday night on NFL Network as the 24th-best game in NFL history.
The NFL's 100 Greatest Games finished its countdown, going from 50 to 1 a week after another game with a miraculous Minnesota ending was revealed at No. 96.
The playoff matchup between Minnesota (13-3, NFC North Champions) and New Orleans (11-5, NFC South Champions) was the first-ever playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"It was obviously a crazy game … a chance to go to the NFC Championship," said Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. "A lot of back and forth."
The Vikings led 17-0 at halftime behind touchdown runs by Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray, plus a field goal from Kai Forbath.
"We dominated the first half of the game … things were looking good," said Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr.
Added Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer: "The first half of that ballgame, we played really, really well."
But the Saints stormed back in the second half, taking a 21-20 lead with three minutes remaining.
That set up a wild final few minutes that included three total lead changes.
Forbath put the Vikings ahead with a 53-yard field goal with 89 seconds left, only to see New Orleans re-take the lead on a 43-yard attempt with 25 seconds remaining.
Trailing 24-23 with just 10 seconds left, Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs hauled in a pass from Case Keenum near the home sideline before sprinting into the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown as time expired. The moment became known as the "Minneapolis Miracle."
The win gave Zimmer his first playoff win with the Vikings, and sent the Vikings to the NFC title game in Philadelphia.
"Honestly, I didn't even see the play happen," Barr said. "I hear everybody start screaming, and I look up [at the video board] … I see Diggs just running toward the end zone.
"The first thing I did was look for a flag and make sure it was the real thing," Barr added. "It was. It was real … it was a miracle."
