Vikings Edge out Saints in a Thriller as Jags Upset the Steelers

Lots of surprises in the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round.

QB Case Keenum with the Vikings in 2017
QB Case Keenum with the Vikings in 2017. Photo by Joe Toth/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

The NFL Playoffs Divisional Round wrapped up on Sunday night and it could be something to remember for ages. But, let us start from the beginning.

In the first matchup of NFC on Saturday, Philadelphia Eagles faced the Atlanta Falcons. Eagles, who were without their star QB Carson Wentz, were considered underdogs, something that has never happened to a team that will have a home-field advantage during the entire run of the playoffs. Still, the Falcons didn’t know how to respond to the Eagles defense and lost the game 10-15. After a shaky start, Nick Foles made the throws he needed and showed that Philadelphia’s season isn’t lost just yet.

In the second matchup on Saturday, there were no surprises in the AFC since New England Patriots rolled over Tennessee Titans, finishing the game 35-14 in their favor and showing why they are a Super Bowl win favorites.

Speaking of surprises, we had plenty of those in the second game of AFC divisional round played on Sunday. At Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed the Jacksonville Jaguars in what was supposed to be an easy stroll to the win for the Big Ben and company. However, the Jags had different plans and opened the game with 14-0 run in the first quarter. They never looked back as the game ended 45-42 in their favor and caused the Steelers to finish the season early. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Jags defense that won them the game, but the offense led by running back Leonard Fournette and QB Blake Bortles.

Finally, we had a thriller in Minnesota, where the Vikings faced the New Orleans Saints. It all started familiar, with Case Keenum and the guys taking a comfortable 17-0 lead in the first half. The Saints had problems with finding their rhythm in the offense, which saw QB Drew Brees playing one of the worst half-times in his career. Eventually, in the second half, Brees rallied his troops and brought them to a 24-23 lead with 14 seconds left on the clock and Vikings deep in their half of the field. In a desperate try, Keenum threw a deep pass to Stefon Diggs near the right sideline. Diggs somehow caught the ball, and all the rookie safety Marcus Williams had to do was wait for him to get to the ground and tackle him, ultimately ending the game. Instead, Williams tried to tackle Diggs while this was still in the air, missed him and allowed Diggs to score a touchdown. The game ended 29-24 in the favor of Minnesota Vikings and continued Keenum’s fairy tale.

The Vikings will face the Eagles, while the Jags are traveling to Foxborough where they’ll face the Patriots in the championship games scheduled for January 21.

Jasmin can write about almost everything expect about himself. All you need to know is that he likes music, Nutella stuffed pancakes and sleeping till noon on Sundays.