2017 NFC Divisional Round FULL Game: New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings

well it's gonna be a warm and Loud inside this building today both Sidelines are cut by Chris and Aaron thank you Spanish language broadcast available on both Fox Deportes and by utilizing sap on our broadcast the great John Randall hits the button on the horn and off we go after the skull chance Vikings won the toss they deferred we'll see Breeze off we go in the divisional playoff game Camara take an e to the 25 we go he will turn 39 tomorrow Troy he plays like he's 29 and he was good really good last week against Carolina here's Drew Brees yeah he had to be good because they were not able to run the football last week against that Carolina defense and it's going to be tough sledding once again against this Vikings defense they do not give up many yards on the ground we're not going to talk a lot about week one and what happened there but the Saints had trouble running the football in that opening game Ingram tries the right side and Mark Ingram pushing the pile out across the 30. and this is an offense that is ranked in the top five in both rushing and passing number two overall and up front they are lacking Andrus Pete who broke his fibula last week so senio calamente gets the start at left guard and that one-two punch in the backfield of Camara and Ingram the best in the NFL well senio calamette he had six starts at left guard during the regular season so he's not a new player he's played well but he's had his opportunities second out of five Breeze well protected pass incomplete for Kamara with Kendricks out in coverage the number one defense in the NFL they are brilliant on third down we're about to see a third down for the New Orleans Saints they're number one in scoring they come at you Troy a lot of different ways the brainchild of head coach Mike Zimmer he knows how to create pressure well he attacks the protections and he gives a lot of different looks and surprisingly third and five has been one of the worst third down opportunities for the Saints they have really struggled at this yardage out of the backfield Camara can't haul it in it's 3-0 that's a great job to start this game defensively and keep this crowd in it they come out on first down and run the ball and they get five yards looks really good and then two straight incomplete passes and they force a punt it will leave the right foot of Thomas morstead Marcus Cheryl's waiting deep for the Vikings Cheryl's will try to return survives one hit looking for blocks Cheryl's what a start out to the 44 knocked down by more stead the punter 18-yard return after just a 44-yard punt and a jolt from Marcus Cheryl's more stead a little banged up yeah he's he's moving off the field a little bit slow of Marcus Cheryl's in the job that he does in this return and big games like this and good units on both sides of the ball and kicking game has got to make an impact for one of these teams to win and Cheryl's with a great return and there's more stead comes in makes a tackle he banged his head pretty good on the turf and he was slow going to the sidelines yeah he just got over there right now he's big 6-4 235. that didn't feel good handoff is to Murray and latavius Murray part of a 1-2 punch with Jared McKinnon gets four brought down by Manti Teo and here's Case Keenum as the Vikings will hurry it up well they get right to it you know a lot of times you want to try to slow down and let your quarterback ease into things but Pat Shermer he's got him up at the line quick 39th NFL start for case Keen to Murray again left side good run very close to first down yardage maybe inches short first playoff start for Case Keenum and a guy who was nine and 15 between Houston and the Rams and this year 11-3 22 touchdowns seven interceptions and Troy's very good outside the pocket he can be deadly out there he's got a little Brett Favre in him I mean he can run around and make some plays and sometimes you hold your breath and and hope for the best but he has been excellent and here they run the ball the first two plays of the game and Pat Shermer the offensive coordinator try to ease him into this thing but I would not be surprised to see a shot early in this ball game against the Saints third down and one Murray ran in to a wall still fighting depends on what they give him and they're going to give him the 45-yard line and a first down and you can see Craig Robertson the linebacker arguing that Murray didn't get to the 45 but forward progress and it's the first down they didn't need much but he got just enough he tries getting in right behind the center number 65 Pat elf line who he's missed a little bit of time himself you see there's well there's not much movement up front [Applause] that replay showed he didn't get it out of the backfield and it's latavius Murray and a nice gain on first down Craig Robertson on the tackle at a game of four this offense has had now eight different configurations along the offensive line seven during the regular season and they move guys around again with Rashad Hill getting the start at right tackle and he's going to have his hands full with Cameron Jordan the defensive end for the Saints yeah and with him starting at right tackle they move Mike remers to left guard handoff is to McKinnon third and short coming up a lot of changes towards the end of the season for this offensive line and Tony sparano the offensive line coach he's had his hands full and coming into this divisional matchup they decided as a staff that they're going to play the five best guys and therefore Mike remmers who has not played left guard this season he has played some left tackle when he was with Carolina but he gets to start number 74 on that left side and as you said Rashad Hill gets another start at right tackle hey we're doing we're good Hey Joe you know five more third down and three extra men on the rush Keenan floats right chariots right out of bounds near the 15. good throw dropped in beautifully by Case Keenum 22 yards well you see they go trips and you got PJ Williams 26 who's trying to keep up in man coverage on Jarius Reich this is a well-designed play gets caught up in the wash it opens right up that Sidelines and tell you Case Keenum he hit the swing to latavius Murray comes back he hits right on a big play he's wide open it's a great start for him here's Murray now short game on first down of just two and now his defense which is Young and good they've had their fair share of injuries up front Sheldon rankings and Cameron Jordan their two best players a linebackers it's been a revolving door the secondary is outstanding well they're really good and they they're much improved of course as they've moved through the season this is going to be the key down here in the red zone and it was last week they held Carolina to just one for four coming away with touchdowns in the red zone Minnesota knows they need to capitalize 20. toss to McKinnon jarek McKinnon gets a block for the touchdown and what a block by Riley Reese well they motion across and then they're going to get McKinnon on the toss Riley Lee Reef number 71. he comes out he makes a nice block on Marshawn Lattimore Adam thielen he seals the edge there's a heck of a lane there for McKinnon in the school and a seven to nothing lead first possession nerves what nerves Case Keenum the number two seed Minnesota Vikings a good start here at home hey welcome back to you to U.S Bank Stadium good start for the Vikings a team that's won six in a row here at home 7-1 overall the second year of this stadium and in 21 days we'll host Super Bowl 52. and the Minnesota Vikings are hoping for a Super Bowl home game that's never happened it's been talked about a lot it's the eighth time a team has a city hosting a Super Bowl's made the postseason first seven teams have not made it past the divisional round Camaro will take a knee third and three play Troy was big the one to Jarius Wright yeah it was the sanctuary man coverage and you're going to see Diggs he's going to run a natural Slant with the pick action and then it's going to free up right along that sideline and Ken Crawley was in coverage and he jams Diggs into the defender and when you're in man coverage as a defensive back and receivers get in that Bunch formation like they you have to anticipate those types of routes and picks and big play for the Vikings see how the Saints answer now down by seven they did not Trail against Carolina last week handoff is to Camara and he runs right into the arms of Tom Johnson no game when we talked to head coach Sean Payton who's in his 12th year and who has won a Super Bowl yesterday he said here's what I want to do on it'll be fast with the play calls get to the line of scrimmage so Brees can adjust I want to take two deep shots per quarter and I want to have patience with the Run game and not abandon it second and ten right part of that patience is hanging in there when you're down seven points and the crowds behind it and not getting overwhelmed here's Ken gets a good block and out of bounds with a first down manawanui the big tight end had the block out on the edge again went around Everson Griffin and picks up the first down well that's a nice job so they get stuffed on first down and here second and long they come with you know a little bit of a reverse action to Ted Ginn and still got great speed they pick up the first down and when you're playing a defense that's as good as the Vikings are on third down a lot of times as a play caller you have to call the game to Simply avoid getting into third down so go for the first downs early over the middle Ingram gets caught by Kendricks gain of just three in this Vikings defense it's a pretty remarkable how far they've come from when Mike Zimmer took over this unit they were 31st in the league in defense the year before Mike Zimmer was hired as the head coach as the head coach he still handles all of the installation during the week he calls the defense on game day and he has got some Playmakers at every level on this defense foreign Ingram on the ground right side third down coming up as Ingram gets to the 44. a gain of four and Kendrick's on the stop Kendricks has already been busy talk about at every level Gideon the rookie Kendricks the man in the middle and Anthony Barr I don't know it's it's easy to say they're the best in the NFL but when you're the linebacking crew or the number one defense odds are you're the best in the NFL well you combine those three with Harrison Smith at the secondary and Everson Griffin coming off the edge and that's a good luck containing all of those guys third down and three Breeze well protected throws incomplete for Hill the tight end well there's a little pressure inside but yet considering this defensive front he was able to buy some time and move around and it's just tremendous coverage and you can see the the pain that Morse that as he comes out here grabbing his chest one step and bang he hits it it's a good punt over the head of Cheryl's and into the end zone Vikings will have it for the second time leading by seven more States Hurt No Doubt 7-0 Minnesota [Music] second possession for the Vikings up seven McKinnon and Murray the two backs 33 tilde yards and a touchdown between him on that opening drive play action to Murray a lot of room out there throw Stefan Diggs hadn't missed him the greatest day in all of racing returns this February Daytona 500 kicks off the new season Presidents Day weekend only here it's interesting Joe when you look at this matchup and and how are the Saints going to play with Marshawn Lattimore and when they're in man coverage he's going to go with Adam thielen and here they are right here at the bottom and it's a good indicator for Case Keenum to know when the saints are in man and when they're in zone and it's just simply looking and seeing where Marshawn Lattimore is there's Murray left side tripped up third down coming up a gain of just three and Ken Crawley The Corner was the first guy in there you go back to that first game of the season between these two teams and they didn't match up like that Marshawn Lattimore is a rookie making his first NFL start not the same player week one that he is today and they feel real confident 10 times this season he has matched up with the opposing team's number one receiver and he's going to see a lot of Adam feeling today [Applause] third down and seven Keenum slips up throws finds Diggs first down and more 40. Williams on the tackle after a catch and run of 17 by Diggs well you can see Rudolph 82 he pushes up the field and then it causes Ken Crawley he gets caught in the wash and here comes Diggs across the field and a lot of big plays [Applause] week one for the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Bradford and they've gotten some more big plays here on the first two possessions Biggs had two touchdowns in that week one matchup Treadwell thralls Ken Crawley in coverage and it's against New Orleans well there's contact down the field they're trying to give laquan Treadwell an opportunity a lot of contact Treadwell's got his hands on him as well Defense number 20. spot foul on the mounted first down if they see it in in Crawley never turns to play the ball whatsoever and I can tell you it's the Dion Sanders effect I saw it when I was playing that when you're a corner playing opposite one of the elites you're going to get a lot of balls thrown in your direction and if you're evaluating the Saints you say do you want to throw the ball against Lattimore do you want to throw the ball against Crawley tell you the answer to that one we just saw it on first down Keenum steps up launches digs downfield another flag and again crawling coverage you like that I didn't like it a little double move you see the out and up he takes the inside and I I couldn't really see enough there pass interference Defense number 20. automatic first down it looked to me like like Diggs had a hold of of his arm more than more than Crawley actually grabbing him and actually in real time I didn't see anything there first penalty on Crowley was for 20 yards this one for 34 yards and it sets up the Vikings at the six what a start this could be for Minnesota already leading by seven [Applause] oh my God [Music] [Applause] good protection and Zone Rudolph off his left hand Mike Pereira is with us to help guide us through any officiating issues you like the calls against Crawley Mike well after I see it about three times no uh because I do think the receiver really has got a hold of the defender's arm and really does most of the pulling to me these are one of those that you know what you want to leave it on the field no call let them play just a little bit more than that from the six now second and goal it's a huge penalty and Ken Frawley the most penalized player on the team coming into this one and he's gotten now a couple on this because I agree with my athletic player Murray gets it down to the two maybe the one and a half third and goal coming up Murray had 12 touchdowns a year ago with the Raiders took over once the Vikings lost Dalvin cook their second round pick out of Florida State played only four games looked like a home run hitter and a game changer loss to a torn ACL now it's Murray and McKinnon and they're pretty well suited in that backfield even without cook Murray had eight touchdowns rushing this season [Applause] Rudolph off his hands no flag Keenum wanted one didn't get it it's fourth down and the field goal unit comes on for the Vikings well Kyle Rudolph at six feet six he's a it's a huge Target down here he has eight touchdowns on the season and try to go up and and let him make a play on it good stop New Orleans a couple penalties on Crawley they get the Vikings down here near the goal line and to be able to force a Kai four-bath field goal attempt that's big new Long Snapper in Jeff overbas second game in the NFL number 44 will snap it to Ryan Quigley for bath 20. 10 nothing good start for the home team in this divisional playoff 10-nothing mini well that last drive for the Vikings included 54 penalty yards against the Saints secondary and Crawley pass interference on back-to-back plays 54 yards worth the setup Minnesota first and goal at the six they settle for a short field goal they lead by 10 and Drew Brees about to get the ball for the third time in this first quarter with 4 42 left chance for Camara to return this one if he wants and out he comes a 106 yarder in Tampa Bay earlier in the year week 17 and jayron curse makes the stop 20-yard return Purple People leaders 2.0 maybe with this Vikings defense led the NFL and fewest points allowed till the yards allowed the last time the Vikings led the NFL in both the 1970 Minnesota Vikings known as The Purple People leaders names like Allen page and Carl Eller and Jim Marshall and Gary Larson Paul Krause Bobby Bryant this unit makes those guys proud from the 19 pass is off the left hand of Ted Ginn as Brees a little erratic on that throw second and ten Hey Joe we go back and you you talk about week one and you say well a lot has changed since then and it certainly has but one thing that has not is how good this defense is for Minnesota they're hard to move the football against they don't give up yards on the ground they don't give up big plays they get off the field on third down they don't give up touchdowns and you they make you earn every yard you get handoff to Ingram nice run a yard short of a first down as he gets nine this you talk about touchdowns and points this is a defense that didn't allow any opponent here in Minneapolis to score as many as 20 points all year and you just can't run the ball against him oh that was a nice run there though on second down and and that's why a lot of this game is going to come down to the Saints defense and can they keep the Vikings from scoring down 10-0 a lot of football left not a good position to be in it's a big down to convert here and ground nope well played Kendrick's first in foreign they just attack you like none other I mean they read it they come after you and you're going to see Kendrick come through the screen and he just finds a hole and he gets the first hit it's a great job I mean you look at these third Downs the Saints have yet to convert they're old for three here in this first quarter and they've had manageable third downs and that was third and short and they lose yardage okay shank here off the foot of the obviously injured more Stead 38-yard punch we've got punter drama and a divisional playoff morston getting it out Vikings have it up 10. we'll get into him during this drive if time allows 10-0 Vikings on top third time they've had the ball [Applause] will be the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year made the play he came up and did make a nice play and he had my vote I'm one of the voters for some of those Awards and I picked him as my Defensive Rookie of the Year and on the other side Alvin Kamara is offensive Rookie of the Year everybody's heard about the draft picks they had this year and their contributions and it was a heck of a class second to nine delay [Applause] the land that's a little third down coming up the rookie class for this Saints team is Sensational and this won't even go through all of the Marshawn Lattimore we talked about him Ram checks played every snap Marcus Williams the safety's got four picks Alvin Kamara third round pick could be the Rookie of the Year Alex angeloni a linebacker and a third round pick from Florida started the first four games before he was hurt pass is caught McKinnon is wrapped up by Crawley in a good open field stop by Ken Crawley to Force fourth down that's really good because he's able to recognize the combination and when McKinnon comes to the flat Crawley immediately then goes and attacks it and makes a good tackle holding him from getting the first down so it was time for the Saints defense to be able to step up and make a stop and not surrender any more points and and they are able to do that so a three and out we'll talk about the road traveled by Case Keenum a bit later the punt from Quigley Tommy Lee Lewis waiting good one I won hanging flag down fair Catch the 15. [Music] back at the 31 of the Vikings 42-yard punt nothing on the return Gene's territor is our referee for this game he also was the ref week one when these two teams met to open the season he always looks like he just got told a joke and he's thinking about maybe sharing it with the rest of us but he always holds it back he does a great job I always enjoy calling games that he's in charge of no flag on the play there is no flag on the play time out so they pick it up there is no flag on the play so Drew Brees will put it in play at the 15-yard line watch your favorite NFL Stars compete in an AFC versus NFC matchup back to that 2018 Pro Bowl on Sunday January 28th at 3 Eastern on ESPN and ABC and don't miss the Pro Bowl skills Showdown on Thursday January 25th at 9 00 PM Eastern on ESPN I will see if Drew Brees is able to get anything going here offensively it's been a tough start for him just one completion and five attempts and like I said last week they struggled to run the football against Carolina but he was able to get going with the passing game this past defense for Minnesota they're an awfully good group they're ranked number two in the NFL no deep shots yet here's one down the middle and there's gandy's picked sendejo it's a great play by Andrew zendejo he's playing middle safety right here and you're going to see he levels off and Drew Brees sees that as he drops back trying to hit the Deep post it's again in behind it but just not enough arm strength and we've seen that from Drew Brees this year just not having enough to get it down the field that ball is probably underthrown by six yards if he's able to drive again who can still run at 32 years old he'll go get it but it's flat it's under thrown and zendejo goes and makes a great play on this ball the start for Drew Brees one for six for three yards and now an interception and it's in dejo who had two during the regular season meanwhile players down for the Vikings these guys now have to be great cover guys they have to be able to play The Run and zendejo he's kind of in the shadow of Harrison Smith the All-Pro safety himself but he is a great great player and a guy who I have tremendous respect for second and eight pass over the middle it's caught first of the day for thielen and that could very well end the first quarter a 16-yarder to the guy who caught 91 during the regular season headed to the Pro Bowl and a great story himself played collegially at Minnesota state Mankato we asked him what were the knocks on you coming out of college he said I had none nobody looked at me 10-nothing Vikings after one back after this from your local Fox station zero point zero back in the house where opposing offenses come to Die the three first quarter passing yards the fewest in Drew Brees Saints career what a career it's been what a 12-year run kanam well protected finds his man feel them two for the last two a bit of a late hit on uh Keenum not so much late but low and a little surprised not to see a flag I guess it's just a matter of whether or not he was blocked into him but Keenum showing some patience in the pocket and delivering a good throw actually it's pretty good the hit was above the waist it looked a lot lower initially but he slides down and but Keenum he hangs in there knowing he's going to take a hit and delivers a good throw to Felix for nine yards yeah like 20 what's up second and one they hand it to latavius Murray and Murray's got a first down for Minnesota the story on Case Keenum who is a free agent to be signed a one-year two million dollar deal undrafted out of the University of Houston he's playing like a franchise quarterback but a guy who played High School football in Abilene Texas and Wiley High School undrafted out of college eight starts with Houston went to St Louis back to Houston traded back to St Louis it was in LA last year a placeholder for Jared Goff he's been well traveled for sure like 20. what's up Murray gets it again on first down Crawley the first to get hands on latavius Murray in a short game well the one thing we do know about the Minnesota Vikings is they are not a great running football team they just run it more than everybody else they average 31 rushing attempts a game second most in the NFL and there's Pat Shermer the offensive coordinator who puts it all together now the Saints aren't a very good run defense but what has helped them throughout the years they get leads and then teams have to abandon the run so when you've got a 10-point lead the Vikings will continue to pound the ball and can the Saints do something about it second down and nine and that's out of the reach of Stefan Diggs third and nine coming up you know for Keenum it was interesting when we had a chance to talk to the Vikings he told you that even back in high school he looked at Drew Brees not a tall quarterback and saw the different ways Drew at six feet tall or maybe a shade under was able to get rid of the ball with these big bodies all around him and here he is much the same style both those quarterbacks came out of high school being told that they were too short didn't have a strong enough arm it continued when they went on to the NFL and Breeze has proven everybody wrong and Keenum has this year here's one the feeling for a first down this is really a great throw by Case Keenum uh he gives him a chance and Phelan has to go up to make a play but Keenum he gets hit I said remors who's making his first start at left guard he gives up a pressure right in the face of Case Keenum but he he hangs in there and and delivers a strike [Applause] [Music] Minnesota a town of ten thousand people grew up a Vikings fan and now trying to help his Vikings get to an NFC Championship game as latavius Murray carries for four well Adam Phelan you know fortunately for the Vikings he's turned into the receiver that he has because he was an undrafted guy as you said just a phenomenal year this year but they drafted laquan Treadwell last year in the first round and he hasn't done anything so fortunately for the Vikings and Jim Rick's Spillman they've been able to get a number one guy on the field here's a handoff from a touchdown to latavius Murray but there is a flag down at the nine and it may be coming back holding offense number 74. 10-yard penalty replays second down a big call against Mike remmers well he had the key block and we'll see where the hold occurred he's got his left arm or you see the grab there underneath the shoulder pad on Davison and I think it's a good call and there's a grab that probably got the face mask there and the right edge of the screen what they called him for and that looked awfully easy good thing for the Saints they get the penalty [Music] it erases a 13-yard touchdown run by Murray brings the ball back to the 23. second and 16. [Applause] Keenum underneath good catch by Rudolph good seventh year tight end out of Notre Dame third down coming up I expect Dennis Allen here on this third down I I would expect him to to bring some type of pressure he hasn't done much and certainly will last week with the game on the line he he blitzes Cam Newton with Von Bell and he's got some exotic looks himself but here to try to create something negative and get After Case Keenum and see if they can't rough him up a little bit [Applause] third down and eight Keenum all day throws back across the middle of the field and it's digs for a first down you mentioned Brett Favre earlier that was Far best yeah you read my mind the Vikings fans they remember this one far through the interception in that championship game but a three-man rush and Keenum has the wherewithal to recognize that know that he's got time in the pie this is a very dangerous throw they will this will not be on the quarterback teaching tape but they get away with it in a first down and goal now for the Minnesota Vikings [Music] that's what Keenum can do with his legs unconventional [Music] first and goal and John pass incomplete Michael Floyd that ball popped out when he hit the ground and a clear no catch well Michael Floyd hasn't had a lot of opportunities but this is where they like to utilize him because of his size they throw the fade he has it but when he comes to the ground you know it's Jarred loose [Applause] an easy call see a lot of those Fades by all teams and saw it yesterday with with the Atlanta Falcons and I just do not like the Fades as much as I see them thrown now you got Mike Zimmer who's he wanted a play clock reset and instead he has to use a timeout Lake clock was down under five second and goal the ball at the four [Applause] [Applause] digs the target Williams in coverage and there's another flag on the other side of the field they're two fouls no I don't I don't think the official was in a good position to make that call you know he's blocked by Diggs coming across and Diggs clearly goes to the ground but I couldn't see enough there by Marcus Williams this time two fouls both by the defense prior to the pass holding Defense number 26. that penalty is declined also pass interference Defense number 43. that foul occurs in the end zone the ball will be placed at the one yard line first and goal Minnesota well here's a look on the call on Marcus Williams he does he grabs the right arm so the official wasn't a good position he sees that and then on the other side P.J Williams tell you right now I mean it's the Saints just simply cannot stay with these wide this evening [Applause] first and goal Murray right side bouncing touchdown Minnesota [Applause] foreign [Applause] that's a good push on that left side they bring in Avion Collins as the extra offensive lineman they've got Riley reef and Von Bell is there to try to make a play in latavius Murray just keeps his legs going he stretches it across the goal line and tell you what they hit this in 17 nothing and Sean Payton knows that he has got his hands full trying to come back against this defense No Doubt scored on three issues lead by 17 and for the Saints their largest deficit overcome in a win this season was 15 points Keenum and the Vikings up 17-0 Cam Jordan trying to pump up his teammates on defense not been a good start for New Orleans on either side of the ball about as good as the Vikings could have hoped and they lead 17 to nothing as Murray knocks it in from one yard away and Drew Brees and the Saints need an answer right now format kicks it up to the 25 it will come as we welcome you inside the broadcast booth a guy in two vests for you here from Minneapolis and Mike I'll ask you Mike Pereira joining us uh some pass interference calls that really had an impact on the game yeah you know we talk about letting them play but there's been three key ones you know I've always been an advocate of a 15-yard maximum penalty and today what would be seeing a 34-yard mistake and that's hard to overcome for a team yeah that happened with Crawley two possessions ago for the Vikings possession when they ended up with a field goal they've added a touchdown since lead 17-nothing and Brees keeps throws completes and the first Target of Michael Thomas this kid who is Sensational second year Pro had 104 catches on the year has his first and Breeze gets a little shot to the face mask from linval Joseph well there's they're watching it and you know the what they're looking for is a forcible blow so clearly the official didn't think that was a forcible Blow To The Head you see if Drew Brees can settle in and get something going here is Camara gets 10. you know you think about the Saints these days you think about the ground game but they've rushed for only 80 yards a game over their past five and Troy as you said against the Panthers 22 rushes 41 yards so they're trying to revive that ground game a little bit yes they are and that's a good start because last week was their worst rushing output of the season and not that it's going to be any easier here today this defense as we've talked about is great but this past defense is so different that Brees needs a Little Help from that brown game to take some of the pressure and some of the pass rush away from him here's Ingram now after Camara carried and Ingram gets maybe two tackle made by Joseph the former New York Giant who has a Super Bowl ring in his dresser drawer second and eight the other guy that New Orleans does not have who did not suit up today is Brandon Coleman had a nice game last week he's a big part of not only the passing game but also their ability to block The Edge they miss him today Saints have yet to cross Midfield here's Josh Hill they're across Midfield and the tight end with a whiff on a block by calamente and fun who takes it to the 30. and here come the Saints a 22-yard completion well that's set up so well you see Ryan ramchak and elemente as you said and they hit the ball to their tight end Josh Hill and there's nobody really out in front for those guys to block and he's able to make cendejo Miss that's those big plays are hard to come by the Saints are accustomed to them they led the league in plays at 20 yards this year but the Vikings they're pretty stingy when it comes to picking up big chunks to Ingram he gets one tackle made by Brian Robinson how about an injury report from Chris Myers Joe shabar Stefan out in this series his right knee he's part of that Viking rotation on the defensive line suffered a knee injuries questionable questionable to return so Brian Robinson normally a pass rusher can help out inside and remember Everson Griffin has been bothered by plantar fasciitis so some of his Snaps are limited as well quick snap flag is down here's Gin Gin for the touchdown I think that's coming back Joe I'm not sure the Saints didn't look to me like they got set I would agree with you flag at the snap here's a call from stairs offense number 19 was not set for a full second five-yard penalty we play second nine they tried to catch the Vikings instead they weren't set and Ginn who caught it was not set so an illegal shift and a good call they called again and and you know he certainly could have been that guy the other one was Josh Hill it looked you know Josh it was even later than Ginn getting set up now each team has lost a touchdown to a penalty that was big for New Orleans opportunity there and now it's second and 14. still trailing by 17. just got it away the pass is caught by Camara what a catch in a run for a first down he is phenomenal and if you haven't seen this number 41 Alvin Camara averaged 7.7 yards per touch great hands yeah Terence Newman I think it was Terence Newman who was in coverage it sure was and he had hit pretty good coverage not easy for the for the old guys 39 years old and he's trying to keep up with this young Phenom in the open field and an outstanding concentration by Alvin Camaro as good of a runner as he is he's every bit as dominant as a receiver here's a handoff to Ingram Ingram tries to get to the edge well played by Kendricks a gain of one the balance is what Defenders talk about with Camara and he showed it on that 19-yard catch and run 15 yards after the catch as he walk the sideline I watch him run routes Joe and and I'm not so sure that if they just told him you're going to be a wide receiver in this league or a slot receiver that he couldn't make a living doing that he's a he's an explosive guy he sets the fenders up awfully well it's nice to have a guy like that if you're a quarterback second and nine that Ball's tipped and picked Anthony Barr back the other way and the second interception as a flag comes down at the end of the play second interception a breeze and a tip ball and let's see who got a hand on it it's Griffin with his back to the ball he just threw up his right hand and is able to to deflect it and then Anthony Barr is there to make the interception that's the Saints had something going you can see the end of this and it might have been a yeah the horse caller at the end of this play Terron Armstead see if that's what it's for during the interception personal foul horse collar tackle original offense to the end of the run first down Minnesota timeout two turnovers in the game two takeaways by this terrific Vikings defense Griffin made the play far the pick the Beloved the Fantastic Bud Grant a great athlete in his own right played for the Minneapolis Lakers and took this Vikings franchise to four Super Bowls an NFL Hall of Famer was hunting at the beginning of the week 90 years old and he's here in a camel Vikings hat rooting on his organization handoff to McKinnon over the left side and Jared McKinnon gets two that Bud Grant I know when I when I grew up and was watching the Vikings play and Bud Grant I get an opportunity to visit with him whenever we come to Minnesota how about two years ago in this divisional game and 88 years old at the time minus 25 degrees wind chill he walks out there in a short sleeve shirt pretty incredible play action Kingdom has to step through some trouble and down he goes and he ducks a hit from Manti Teo that would have taken his helmet off no gain well this is exactly what the Saints need but now they have to come up with a big stop on third down this is self-preservation by Keenum third and eight five two heart rate [Applause] [Applause] third down pass caught and it depends on the spot looks to be short Jarius Wright ripped To The Ground by safety Von Bell and it is fourth down they're able to make a stop thankfully for the New Orleans Saints yeah that was that was close and right now the Vikings look like they're gonna at least line up and act like they're going to go for it on fourth and one yeah I would sure think that you know maybe you try to draw them off sides here but can't imagine that that Mike's ever being the defensive minded coach that he is the way that his defense has played that you would want to try to give any life to the Saints and set him up at Midfield [Applause] and that's what they were trying to do oh it's a delay game [Music] and now the punt team comes on for Mike Zimmer there's no way he's going to give the Saints a glimmer of hope by getting a stop on fourth down at Midfield yeah no defensive coaches I have been around them and they tend to play a little closer to the vast than the offensive coaches they are the ones who are a little more aggressive by nature and and we saw when we saw that last week with with Sean Payton going for it on fourth down in that win against Carolina and you know why would you want to give the Saints any kind of momentum and set them up the way that their defense is played here in this first half Ryan Quigley to punt [Music] his second thought he gets it away Tommy Lee Lewis with a fair catch just inside the tent Saints get it long way to go 308 left in the half three timeouts down 17. number two offense in the NFL they have been shut down here on the road last time they had it the deflected pass for an interception and Tehran Armstead whose man Everson Griffin is the one who made the tip then he got the horse collar penalty then he went over to the sideline and was looked at Under the Tent as they re-wrapped his leg he's been dealing with a number of injuries including a bad thigh so we'll keep an eye on Tehran Armstead the starting left tackle as Ted Ginn gets six on a short throw and you can see a little limp and a hitch in the gate of Tehran Armstead now second and four and they're a little thin you know up front as well there's that reach for the tackle and he came off the field limping last time second and four Camaro for the first down [Applause] it is the divisional weekend and we'll give you the headlines and recap Philadelphia pulls off the win at home over Atlanta the number one seed Patriots just took apart the Tennessee Titans and earlier today how great was Blake Bortles he was terrific and he and the Jaguars beat the Steelers and talk about the specifics of the matchups coming up right now on first down again a Juggle no catch no flag and Sean Payton is living he thought Mackenzie Alexander got there before the ball no flag is thrown let's take a look at it and see and I mean it he did get there it appeared just before the ball but in real time it was kind of one of those bang bang plays greens takes a hit at the end of that looked like maybe that was a shoulder to the head or neck area no flags on the field two-minute warning in Minneapolis minute 59 to go we'll give you another look at what could have been pass interference against the Vikings after a play at second and ten really close no call three-timeouts for New Orleans Blitz pass is caught by again along the sideline good throw good catch both feet in is the call first down yeah let's see if Ken was able to get his feet in that's a that's a well-thrown ball by Brees and he'd look like he dragged the right toe did you see the Turf coming up so that's a that's a big you know second down there but they get a new set of downs after the play earlier or yeah maybe they could have called pass interference baby again could have made the catch but he comes up big on that play doesn't matter much now his Breeze is going to go down ball is out recovered by the Saints but Everson Griffin got there and knocked it out and it's Max Unger the center who was there to recover on a loss of six well Everson Griffin obviously has had a great year number 97 at the top and he's going to work against armset who we already said is is banged up a little bit and I'm a little surprised they haven't given more help to Armstead because I know in visiting with Sean Payton he said that that was a focus coming into this game not to let Griffin disrupt the passing game but he got right around Armstead and the Saints were fortunate to recover that one good recovery by Max Unger what's coming up at the half Hey listen up coming up on the Visa halftime you'll see and hear Michael Jimmy and Howie break down the first half of your game TV will tell us how Jacksonville turned it up against the Steelers and Christina Pink shares her microphone with Leonard fournette who's headed to the AFC Championship game it's all next in the Visa halftime in Dolby Surround that match up Jacksonville and New England Jacksonville got to the champ game two times in their first five years of existence now they'll go for the third time there's that previous play and there's the effort by Everson Griffin and the recovery by Unger and this time they put the back to Griffin's side he's right here second and 16 setting up a screen for Camara good blocking and a first down at the 50. Kendricks lost his helmet in a big play a catch and run of 23. that's a great job by Sean Payton so Griffin he already beat your left tackle he got the hit on him on the previous play you put Camara to that side making it look like he's going to chip instead you basically screen it and you get lineman out in front you get key blocks in a big play for the New Orleans Saints be Minnesota's second charge time out of the half please reset the game clock to one minute Tamara tripped over Max Unger meanwhile Eric Kendricks lost his helmet couldn't get off the field as a cut on his lip or a bloody nose and the Vikings have to use a timeout to get him off the field that's a break for the Saints it stops the clock with a minute 28 to go break for the Saints and and we'll see what the Saints are able to do to finish this drive and Come Away with points the Vikings Kendrick's there the Vikings won the coin toss they elected to defer so the Saints got the ball to start this game but the Vikings get it coming out this would be huge for the Saints if they're able to come away with some points and run this clock down and not give the Vikings another opportunity before the half ends Kendricks pleading to get back out there first down low snap Breeze pedaling finds Hill the tight end and incomplete that'll stop the clock with a minute 23 to go sendejo in good coverage they've been in good coverage throughout this half I mean they're they're not doing anything exotic they're playing straight man-to-man coverage most of the time they're sprinkling in some Zone and and it's one-on-one and who can win but every throw has been contested Drew Brees joined the New Orleans Saints in 2006. they have been shut out in the first half four times in 203 games they've been shut out so far but time to change that over the middle pass caught Thomas and Michael Thomas gets popped at the 30. hit by lemur to pick up linebacker in a gain of 20 and here come the Saints again well Michael Thomas coming off a huge game last week he is so good in running routes he's good with releases off the line of scrimmage and that time he set it up at the top and he was able to create some separation give Breeze a nice Target two timeouts clock moving 48 seconds left Hendrick's back out there this is incomplete stops the clock with 39 seconds left Willie Snead the target you can bet when you get to this point of the field and you've got to drive that is moving that this is when defensive coordinators like to try to bring some pressure create a negative play and see if they just can't knock you back a little bit more and you know right now clearly the the Saints are are well within field goal range you just can't have any negative plays according to our numbers that's the fifth time the Vikings have blitzed in this first half second and ten Breeze nothing there throws it at the feet of Josh Hill third down in 10. it looked like they might have been trying to to get a screenplay off to Josh Hill and there's just nothing there and like I said this Vikings defense they've gotten a couple shots and they've been able to create a few plays when they've had a couple on this drive but this defense is awfully well coached Saints are inside field goal range for will Lutz they have yet to convert a third down over three the third down and more than seven have converted only one of their last 20. Blitz again set by Harrison Smith and that knocks the ball all the way back to the 40. well that's what the Saints couldn't have happened they bring four weeks you're going to see these guys here they're all coming there's not enough blockers to pick it up and Harrison Smith has a free run [Applause] well this is now the edge of field goal range for Lutz he hit from 57. last week to tie a career along this would be a new career long if they try and kick it and why not try to get some points controlled environment in a dome and you're looking at a 58-yard drive his 57-yarder was a Saints playoff record last week Cheryl's is back in case it falls short to return it he's got the leg for it he pulled it no good and this nightmare first half can't end fast enough for New Orleans a chance to go in and talk about it but now a chance for the Vikings to do some more scoring before the half well that's right the Vikings don't have any timeouts I I think hey when you look at the game and where you are if you're Sean Payton you have to attempt that field goal but you know with now 21 seconds there was 26 seconds at the time they give the ball to Minnesota in a great position to try to come away with three points of their own and see what case keenum's able to do but they can manage this pretty well even without no timeouts fall at the 48 21 seconds left no timeouts the Vikings by the way will receive the second half kick everything Minnesota's way trying to advance to a matchup against Philly next Sunday Kanan gets hit passes too high with a flag on the hit and that'll be 15 yards Jordan was in there was not alone now Cam Jordan he comes in and he hits Case Keenum with a forearm right across the helmet and it's supposed to foul roughing to pass it road to the hand Defense number 91 15-yard penalty automatic first stop that's the rookie Trey Hendrickson and you see the left elbow get into the chin he and Jordan there yeah Hendrickson got the hit first and I tell you a a huge penalty because Keenum did not see Diggs coming across the field as early as he should have had he had caught him early dicks had some room to run and and maybe get into field goal range but a big 15-yard penalty against this defense and nothing has gone right for that team the Saints now with 92 penalty yards in this half they're already in field goal range the edge of it that looks better as the pass is caught by Rudolph six-yard game what do you think of Case Keenum here after basically a half a play pretty good right I mean he comes out and he made some nice throws right from the start you know you know need some really accurate throws was able to settle in and then this defense for Minnesota it's just allowed him to get some real comfort and understand the situation with 13 seconds left in this half he cannot take a sack the clock is running they're gonna have a hard time getting it clocked he's got to get this ball to where they're stopping him they're in field goal range already here's one for the end zone and there's seven seconds left Mike Zimmer who has lost his last 10 postseason games either as a head coach defensive coordinator or position coach in the NFL will send the field goal Unit on and we'll see Kai forbath try one from 49. what a turn of events Saints look like they were marching maybe to Come Away with some points of their own the Vikings if they get three here and to get the ball to start the second half [Applause] no good and with two seconds left that's the first hiccup for the Vikings in this first half we talked to Mike Zimmer about his comfort level with Kai Four bath who by the way was with New Orleans back in 2015 he said I'm really comfortable with him which is a huge admission for Mike Zimmer he is about as tough and as honest ahead coaches you will ever find zimmerson I'm all right I feel okay with him and he sent him out there that one no good for you he has not changed at all I was with the Cowboys back in 1994 when he came from the college ranks in joined our team as a secondary coach he was that way then and he's that way now and these guys respect the heck out of him his team with a terrific first half 17 to nothing Hometown bikes on top piece of halftime coming up after this from your local Fox station got ruffled by the Saints I think that Pat shurmer's done a nice job allowing him to settle in and I would expect Dennis Allen during the second half to come after him a little bit more to see if he couldn't create some negative plays well we'll see that right off the bat Maybe as the Vikings get it up by 17 and let's go down to the field and Aaron Andrews well as you can imagine Sean Payton he started speaking to me right away about time of possession and as Troy just mentioned those third Downs he said over if that doesn't change then the score for us isn't going to change so that's something he addressed right away with his team I did ask him about Minnesota's coverage on his wide receivers and he said look some we had some guys open we've just got to make some plays here and also we've got to do something about all these penalties as well Aaron thanks Chris Myers visited with Mike Zimmer and we'll give you that report maybe after a play on first down hey please start to this half by the Saints D Craig Robertson first there Chris Myers what have you learned Mike Zimmer dressed in black head to toe with smiling ear to ear Joe when he came out he said his quarterback played good not great his defense was outstanding he's a little concerned about the rut he expects Brees to air it out or try to in the second half remember he wanted a lot of noise from his fans and hard play from his players he said so far he's gotten what he's wanted and now they're quiet on second and 13 with their offense out on the field [Applause] [Applause] out of first down [Applause] well Craig Robertson he's got that responsibility and he's just slow to react he does not get out there as soon as latavius Murray goes to the flat so he catches the ball with a whole lot of room to run and yeah we're first down Minnesota at some point don't you want to hear Mike Zimmer say you know what Case Keenum has blown me away the guy's been phenomenal it's not going to happen no it's not going to happen he hasn't said that yet this year even when Keenan was red hot in the middle of the year as he rolls out to his right finds his receiver feeling and thielen got about nine and a half remember what Zimmer said he said yeah well right now keenum's playing with a horseshoe meaning he's been lucky so far and he told us on Friday you know if we're down by double digits I'm activating Sam Bradford because that can bring Bradford Off the Bench he's the better thrower than Keenum I mean Keenan's giving this team everything he can give and then some well he's done a great job as we know and and Mike Zimmer was heavily influenced those years as defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells and Bill didn't throw out a whole lot of bouquets to quarterbacks either second one these are two head coaches who have been inferenced by Bill Parcells good luck as Craig Robertson who was in coverage a moment ago knocked down latavius Murray third and one coming and the Hall of Famer Bill Parcells on these two guys who used to be assistants for him they're basically the same guy in a different set of clothes intense competitors with lots of passion for the game both talk to Bill Parcells this week yeah and they're both good friends and I asked them about the experience together and Sean Payton said there's Unity formed amongst the abused on parcel's staff so I think some of the the abuse Parcels would give these guys bonded down here is CJ Hamm for a first down as they give it to the fullback who gets seven on Third and one and cjm he's kind of an interesting guy you're gonna see him right here at the full back position he came in as a running back in the Vikings they they made him transition to the full-back position and you know he's not a blow him up type blocker but he has a lot of athletic ability because of his running back background and picks up a first down [Applause] on first down quick throw digs on the outside and a nice gain on first down as he gets seven Ken Crawley August stop meanwhile the offensive coordinator for the Vikings Pat Shermer has four interviews for a head coaching spot last week talked to the Giants the Lions the Bears who have hired a head coach in Arizona and he and this offense had not been distracted they looked good here's McKinnon a yard short of a first down well I know when I visited with Case Keenum I asked him about Pat Shermer he said he's the most stress-free coach that he's ever been around in when Pat came into our meeting I told him what Case Keenum had said Matt schermer said that was because he spent two years in Cleveland I guess that was as stressful as life can get so he's ready for the next opportunity and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get a head coaching job when this is all said and done but those teams that have availability it looks like they're going to have to wait a little longer third down Keenan keeps hits Rudolph in the tight end for a first down a gain of four on another third and one and Jonathan Freeney brought him down now they've stayed ahead of the chains and so it's allowed Pat Shermer to you know run some of these boots you've got third and short you hand it to CJ ham you keep the drive going you get Keenum out on the The Edge where he can see exactly where he's throwing the ball Dennis Allen the Saints have yet to make Kingdom uncomfortable inside 30. and as we see latavius Murray in that run and you think about what's happened in Minnesota under Mike Zimmer he loses his starting quarterback Bridgewater a couple years ago he lost his starting running back Adrian Peterson for the season he loses Sam Bradford and then he loses Dalvin cook I mean obviously really important positions and yet this team has continued to win and it says a lot about the job that that offensive staff has done that's this gang [Applause] like 20. what's up second and three handoff is to Murray and he ran right into the arms of Trey Hendrickson a loss of one on the play so another third down coming up in this Saints defense has got to make a stop yeah I'm with you Joe I mean there's so much football left to be played but yet you just get the feeling that if they don't make a stop here you know this game has gotten away from them because we've seen what the Vikings have done on defense and it's Paramount right now for New Orleans to make a stop and then see if Kai Four bath can't make a long field goal Case Keenum has gone seven for eight on third Downs [Applause] third down and four Kia backs up and down he goes in a big sack for New Orleans play is made by the big man in the middle Sheldon rankins who had two during the regular season and it's a pressure out here you're gonna see this game up front and it's Cam Jordan coming underneath and rankins then finishes him off so they needed something and that's a four-man rush and yet they get the sack and so now it forces the Vikings to punt the football instead of what would have been a long field goal attempt that's a great job sacked by rankins the 10-yard loss takes it back to the 40 and so quickly who is not knocked the ball into the end zone for a Touchback just did j-ron curse couldn't make the play big sack by Sheldon rankins still a 17-point game Saints with a football well during the week this got a lot of play and what a great story Vikings fan Millie wall who supported the team since its founding in 1961 will turn 100 years old in 2018 she received the early birthday gift from her favorite team a ticket to this game in an online video she opened a letter from the Vikings inviting her to attend her first ever playoff game and she's seen a good one for the Vikings so far starting from the 20th Alvin Kamara to the 25. say it again the punter for Minnesota had not punted the ball Ryan Quigley into the end zone all year but that was his first Touchback and so just 20 yards field position gained on the punt starting at the 20 now it's second down and five at the 25. when it's coming from the Vikings pass is caught Thomas good catch good coverage by Xavier Rhodes the All-Pro game of nine yeah that's just Michael Thomas's third reception of this game and Xavier Rhodes when they've been in man coverage he goes with Michael Thomas and that's a different Twist from back when these two one as well Xavier Rhodes who's an All-Pro player he was a little banged up coming into the season but that's a that's a good matchup between those two guys Xavier Rhodes is as good as there is in all football here they are at the bottoms on first down pass is caught that's Kim Jane got nine look at this game for Drew Brees and you know for a guy who set an NFL single season record with 72 percent completion percentage only three times all year did he throw for less than 70 percent completion and here he is in this first half and in the first possession and he's completing less than 50 percent here today on second and one Ingram close looks like the official from the near side is giving him [Applause] forward progress and now they're going to Mark him just short so third and less than a yard coming up to Neil Hunter on the stop look at what this Vikings defense has done no offensive touchdowns allowed in the last 31 opponent drives not since week 14 against Carolina incredible to come out and measure this but yeah Joe I mean you look at the the talent that they have you know scheme's important and and being well coach is important but you got to have the horses to make it work as well and you see there about a foot about a foot to go but across the board one of those rare defenses that can put pressure on a quarterback with a four-man rush you talked about these linebackers and the way they're able to fly sideline to sideline and a secondary that's as good as anybody's and real holes to attack thank you [Applause] yard about a value pack of index cards for the first down and Brees will keep and get first down the Saints their offense had the longest active streak in the NFL of not getting shut out in the first half entering today 61 straight games but shut out by the Vikings here in the first half was a missed field goal along the way first down and 10. New Orleans and that was the first third down conversion for the Saints in this game the Saints bring in Austin Carr he's a Mr rookie didn't have a catch all year handoff is to Camara and everybody gets in to push on the pile involved Joseph on the stop in a gain of three considered the League's most prestigious honor the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes NFL players who have made a significant impact on the game on the field and in their communities this year's nominee for the Saints is Cam Jordan for the Vikings is Kyle Rudolph three finalists will be announced during the AFC Championship game and the winner during the NFL honor show Saints go with their two-tight impact a lot of times they like to take a shot with this Personnel grouping see if they can't block him up up front they got one-on-one outside freeze keeps on loads passes caught that's Thomas and Thomas shows his strength taking it down inside the 30. the big kid 6-3-12 from Ohio State got 23. a little conversation after this play like I said that match up there is is awfully good but but Michael Thomas is like I said earlier he's so good off the line of scrimmage at the top of the route in order to get a defensive back turn and you know there was the extracurricular activity going on after the play between those two now Xavier Rhodes he can decide on his own whether he wants to come up and play press which is where he's best or if he wants to play off Mike Zimmer allows him to make that decision Tamara carries Ducks underneath the tackle and takes it down inside the 25 a gain of five Harrison Smith on the stop now this is a obviously a good drive after the sack and force the punt now you got to get something going offensively to climb back into this even though the Vikings didn't come away with any points on that drive they did take time off the clock and now this drive is taking time off the clock and here we are three minutes left in the third quarter so looking at this as we move through this drive right here it's imperative that the Saints cash in with a touchdown second and five Kamara gets it full head of steam inches inside the 20. gain of three so another third down coming up is Terence Newman who is Ageless 39 years old and still playing Corner still playing in the slot at times maybe stop well you talk about Tom Brady and what he's doing at 40. Terence Newman 39 years old that's a demanding position John Payton says yeah I go to South Lake Texas and that's where Terence is in the off season and season out there at the ball fields with his with his kids and then he looks up and he's playing nickel on Sunday afternoons third and a short two Brees needs it pass is low what a good catch by Willie Snead and number 83 with a big first down for New Orleans yeah Willie Steve that that is not an easy catch all right this ball is low and you're going to the sideline and he's able to make a play on that Josh Hill he goes just like he was a wedge buster as he came off the line of scrimmage put a big completion and catch by Willie Snead another third down conversion on this drive first down foreign [Music] [Applause] as the throw was in the direction of Michael Thomas but here inside what happened a moment ago they picked up the flag see that collision with Thomas and sandejo and it looked like it might have knock zendejo all the way out well he it looked like he was out yeah he's going inside and they're going to check him pretty good and they picked up the flag and I think it was the right call because Michael Thomas was not looking up sendejo it was not him trying to take a shot he's just simply running around cendejo didn't see him either because he was keyed on Zach line and man coverage but it was a big time Collision Mike do you agree with them picking up the flag I I certainly do Joe it wasn't a blind side hit we don't know what they called it was shoulder to chest actually but it certainly was not offensive pass interference second down and ten now Breeze and Jones has a man touchdown Michael Thomas [Applause] the man who was involved in that collision with sendejo good throw good catch and the Saints are on the board well they run the crossing route and and Rhodes is in man coverage and once you take the inside and you get leverage then you're going to beat him across the field if you have any kind of speed and that's what Thomas is able to do there's no chance for Rhodes then to couple of them and that's just the 14th touchdown pass given up by this Vikings defense all year long hard to come by the Saints needed one desperately and they come up huge that's the first touchdown pass allowed since week 14 in Carolina by its Minnesota defense and Xavier road to his arguing with Michael Thomas because of that hit in coverage over his hand into the arms of the young receiver Saints down 10. there's only a minute 18 left in the third quarter each team with one third quarter possession the Vikings took over seven minutes off the clock punted it Saints 6 40 off the clock scored a touchdown Trail by 10. there's life New Orleans going to kick it back to the Vikings under two to play in the quarter [Applause] we'll take a break when we come back he's Keenum in the offense for Minnesota leading 17-7 this divisional playoff welcome back to U.S Bank Stadium where it's now a 10-point game and Troy may be the first little bit of pressure on this Vikings offense to move the ball since the beginning of the game there's no doubt and as we move through into the fourth quarter things could tighten up a little for Keenum Kano has come off that sack last time he had it up for grabs and picked off by Marcus Williams he stepped out of bounds but now a takeaway by the Saints defense and an ill-advised throw from Case Keenum who threw it up for grabs well they got Rudolph out there up top But Here Comes Cam Jordan and he's the one who gets the pressure right into keenum's face and that's yeah you're falling back and just throw it up for grabs like Keenum did and you know that's that's the throw that worries Mike Zimmer that there are those times when Keenum will make a poor decision and that certainly was one at an inopportune time with the Saints haven't just scored and kind of flipped momentum you see the step out by Marcus Williams the rookie who had four interceptions during the regular season biggest play in his young NFL career they marked him at the 30 and Drew Brees is right back to work that's the thing that Keenum has been able to to avoid this year 10 games this season that he played without throwing an interception and only had seven on the season and that could prove costly here's angry not much let's go down for an update here's Chris Myers Joe Andrew zadejo has been taken to the locker room he's in the concussion protocol and on that play Xavier Rhodes was upset that Michael Thompson hit him and the flag was picked up Linville Joseph tried to calm him down Terence Newman scolded Rhodes for losing his emotions and giving up the touchdown and then it was Mike Zimmer who calmed him down paraphrasing here saying get back in the game we have to finish this thing yeah he's been hooked up with Michael Thomas all afternoon now second and nine well they went after him on the man coverage you can try he's with them right now so so immediately Brees knows he's in man coverage sometimes you can use that emotion against a player just got it away passes bobbled and caught by the tight end Josh Hill sets up the first down the ball inside the 20. they'll Mark him at the 15. Josh Hill working the middle and the guy who they've had to rely on more with Kobe Fleener going down on IR in the middle of the year but a coach once tell me that the bobble's as good as a drop but he's able to hang in there and make the catch on to the fourth quarter we go it has tightened considerably back after this from your local Fox station well for the Saints in case you're wondering last time they overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to win was November about three Aaron Brooks was the quarterback it was against Atlanta and they really rode Deuce McAllister to that come from behind win the largest deficit they've overcome for a win in the playoffs is 10 points something tells me the Falcons weren't as good on defense as these Vikings Tamara gets it on the toss gets around Robinson gets around Kendricks and steps out of bounds the Saints trailed 17 to nothing with a minute 23 left in the third quarter they're down by 10 now and they're in a great spot here second and four like we talked about I mean it's not insurmountable when you are down 10 points but against this defense you kind of get the idea that if you just run the ball be safe with the ball punt when you don't get first downs you're going to be hard to beat and they have been all year it's been a good formula but Case Keenum had the interception on an ill-advised throw there's Camara out on the edge first down and more sets up a first and goal from just outside the one a gain of six Anthony Harris on the Stop and this loud stadium is awfully quiet now player is down along the sideline it's Xavier Rhodes the All-Pro corner as he was getting blocked by Michael Thomas and then got plowed into by Camara well he's banged up he was on the injury report coming into this game and he looked good during the week in practice and he looked good on Friday but getting involved in that tackle blow to get up take a break first and goal when we come back Xavier Rhodes Goes Under the Tent they look at him one of the best corners in the NFL is out the ball is at the two first and goal foreign there to make the stop wasn't alone Troy this looked like the best game and best matchup coming into this divisional playoff weekend it took until late in the third quarter for that to materialize but it's a game now well it sure is it sure is there's no doubt and we'll see what Sean Payton wants to do here funny Michael play action there's gonna go drop back I'll say the move Tamara into the backfield fake toss pass caught touchdown Saints Michael Thomas and the second year Pros got his second of the game [Applause] the eyes went to Camara on the fake toss and Thomas made a move no roads out there in a three-yard touchdown well I don't know if roads would have made a difference but Terence Newman as we said the 39 year old trying to keep up with him and he drops into the end zone and just kind of opens the gate for the slant route in pretty easy completion and touchdown for the New Orleans Saints and the extra point by Lutz who missed three during the regular season to make it a three-point game it started with the interception and it was provided by the rookie Marcus Williams Brees makes good on the chance three-point game in Minneapolis Case Keenum moments ago oh it is ratcheted up considerably three-point game and Keenum and the offense for the Vikings will start at 25. well early in this ball game Joe we listed the three things that Sean Payton said that they had to do in order to give themselves a chance to win this ball game and the third one on that list was patience and that means that there are going to be some negative things that happen and you have to hang in there and just keep playing one play at a time but the other part of that is give yourself a chance to win in the fourth quarter and they have now given themselves that opportunity and we'll see how Case Keenum handles this but this is an entirely different animal right now in the fourth quarter with a three-point lead seeing whether or not he can execute this offense Murray with a nice start to the drive out to the 39. Williams on the stop at a carry of 14 yards well we're getting we get remors the left guard and then we get elf flying the center and you see the the push that they get and then Berger the Right Guard and creates a nice Lane for latavius Murray [Applause] [Music] they sure like to just hand this ball off and see a lot more of those type runs they do again nothing this time back to the line of scrimmage and that play made by mantateo now the last four possessions for the Vikings it started with a punt then the missed field goal the punt and the pick well the Miss field goal was well the big one was when they came out here to start this second half and they were in field goal range and then they take the sack they have to punt and if you believe that four bath would have made the kick that's a 10-point swing because the saints went right down and scored a touchdown play action from Keno passes floated for right what a throw and catch [Music] [Applause] one of the best of the day from number seven and he wants to hurry up in case Wright didn't secure this ball they want to snap it for the 27 yards that was money that was money right there now did he hang on to it in it doesn't look like Sean Payton's gonna get a look at this one well it was right along the Saints sideline and Peyton is throwing the challenge flag there were some on the Saints Sidelines saying the pass was incomplete here's the best look got the back half of the ball going down and looks like a catch that sure does sure does in the field of a completed catch here's another good look [Applause] [Music] seen anything yet that says incomplete what do you think Mike Ferreira I think he got a catch here they may just say stand but to me he had the Bobble going to the ground but then he got control and even if the ball did touch the ground I did not see him lose control yeah what a what a great throw by Case Keenum he just drops this out of a helicopter and a little movement but I agree with you Mike he's he looks to me like he's got it he's got his arms underneath it I I certainly think that at this stage of the ball game and that play that it was worth the look by Sean Payton crowd thinks it was a catch I'm not sure that they you know like you said Joe it was along their sideline so they got a chance to see it as it unfolded but I doubt anybody really got a look to give Peyton much Direction on what he should do Sean Payton only challenged four calls during the regular season was two for four and challenges it looks like to us this will cost him a challenge the ruling on the field stands and it's a completed catch New Orleans will be One Challenge remaining in regulation okay that's the biggest throw of the day for Casey that's right that's what I was going to say I mean he showed some nerves of Steel there that all of a sudden you've got this 17-point lead and then you're faced with a three-point lead and the momentum obviously has shifted I gotta make a play and he drops it right in the pocket that is the longest play of the game 27 yards of the completion to Jarius Wright who by the way had only 18 catches during the regular season field McKinnon catches it on the Move in a short game PJ Williams forced Nevada gain of four talked a lot about Stefan Diggs and and Adam thielen and how good they have been and Jerry is right I know he hasn't done a whole lot the last couple of years there's a time he was a real contributor for this Vikings offense and the backfield McKinnon breaks a tackle ends up getting back to the line of scrimmage and the first guy there was Cam Jordan who got through couldn't bring him down third and six yeah there was a takedown it looked like Rashad Hill the right tackle on on cam Jordan I expected to see a flag but Cam Jordan did too third and six five [Music] [Applause] they're inside field goal range at the moment just able to get rid of it is Keenum and that's big they call it an incomplete pass as Jordan was all over him well Rashad Hill as I said he has started six of the last eight games but he has a tendency to play awfully high and he does here and Cam Jordan comes right around him and makes a play you can see he comes right around the edge Keenum has no chance now does the ball come out it looked to me like it did that he was able to unload it but Cam Jordan as he has all year long he's having himself another outstanding ball that's a big job by Keenum to avoid the sack second 49-yard try by four bath he missed from this lake at the end of the first half and whistles before the play as how about this Sean Payton's gonna challenge I don't like that challenge I mean when you look at where we're at and you've already lost one time out and if you don't get this one you lose your second challenge Mike Pereira the knees were up as far as I could see challenging they believe the quarterback's knee was down prior to throwing the forward pass I know I know Sean Payton thinks that but John Payton is going to find himself now for the rest of the fourth quarter certainly up to the two minute warning without any challenges one time out he's going to lose this challenge lose his second time out so tough one here understand the challenge think it might take him out of field goal range but at the risk of losing the final ability to challenge and the timeout I think this is going to be confirmed that it's an incomplete pass Troy was about eight yards in field position that that effort by Keenum saved so instead of a 57-yard drive it's a 49-yard try and you saw a moment ago easily in the range of Kai Four bath who is one for two in the game well we saw what happened on the possession to start this second half on the on the sack and how that knocked him out of field goal range on on third down and it almost you know happened again and I mean we agree that he got the ball out we'll see but that there's a lot of ramifications from The Challenge if they don't win this losing the timeout not having any more challenges as Mike pointed out in a tight ball game I think Sean Payton's got to either get better information in his headset about challenging a play or avoid the emotion of challenging a play because that looks like a waste yeah I think the first challenge I I agree with that challenge because I think at that point in the game it was a big play in the game that set him up down here for a field goal if they weren't able to finish off the drive and I don't think they got a look it would happen so fast with Keenum getting to the line of scrimmage I think that that was worth the challenge but this one a little different story we look at it again the knees are up the balls it's close even the Saints are lined up expecting the ball to be snapped from the 31. and yet it's another long delay as we wait for if the New York to figure it out before a 49-yard try and here comes territor [Applause] the ruling on the field is confirmed the quarterback was not down by contact prior to releasing the forward pass it's an incomplete Pass New Orleans is out of challenges they also have one timeout remaining in the half let's file that one away with 10-17 left Kai forbath will try to make this a six-point game [Applause] so he's had a long time to think about it after hitting it but the challenge flag was thrown by Payton before the snap now you said it I mean a lot of time and and now he's taking some warm-up kicks and he looked like he's been out of sorts just kind of wandering around trying to occupy himself and you know hey we've talked about Case Keenum and the nerves that he's feeling coming into this playoff game I can guarantee you Kai Four bath no he kicked in 2012 for the Redskins with two extra points in that game but this is relatively new for him too 10 games with the Saints in 2015 now trying to make it a six-point lead for the Vikings [Applause] format drills it for three on the day high snap from the new center Jeff overbought good hold good kick the lead is six [Music] just a little note about Case Keenum who's been good on third down all games seven for nine throwing the ball and that last incompletion saved eight yards of field position and led to the 49-yard field goal which made it a six-point game four bath hits it a chance for Kamara is going to bring it out crossing the 25 not much more a few weeks ago he's had a couple opportunities it's not what the Vikings would like but he has had a couple opportunities and fortunately for Minnesota he hasn't done a whole lot with it good second half for Drew Brees eight for nine two touchdowns compared to the two interceptions in the first half one of those was deflected from the 27th Camaro the rookie part of a backfield but for the first time in NFL history two running backs had over 1500 yards from scrimmage Camara and Ingram and Camara here brought down by Barr after a gain of three well not a bad start on first down but as expected the yards on the ground for New Orleans have been hard to come by rolled out to the right Ken made the catch knocked out of bounds by Trey Wayne short of the first down by a yard Wayne's is busy when you play opposite Xavier Rhodes you get a lot of action he was targeted over a hundred times this year tied for fifth most and 102 chances among NFL cornerbacks we'll see what happens here we've seen the Saints in this situation when they've not been able to pick it up they just have two conversions on the day as we said the Vikings one of the best in the history of football and it's down this is going to be a double pass need throws pass incomplete for Camara foreign and that tells you all you need to know about the respect that Sean Payton has for the third down defense of the Vikings with his trick play guaranteer Sean Payton's been waiting for the opportunity in this game to make this call and what a great opportunity it was at this point in the fourth quarter and they've got him and Sneed knows that he missed a wide open Alvin Kamara if he catches that ball he probably scores a touchdown instead a punt and a good one from the injured more step back to the 10 as Cheryl's with a fair Catch under nine to go and a good matchup Saints and Vikings six-point game it's Championship Sunday on the 21st right now we are 21 days away from February 4th in Super Bowl 52 right here during that TV timeout was smiling and joking with Gene Steratore so he's pretty loose on the ground Murray let's go back to the second career pass attempt by Willie Snead well good design and then you're going to see Snead here who gets the throw and Watch What Happens Camara he's able to go past Anthony Barr who gets lost in the man look and if he catches that he's one on one on Harrison Smith and that's what he's saying he's wide open and boy couldn't have drawn it up any better it was a great time in the game to make the call and just didn't execute the pass Keenum in trouble steps away from the sack and throws it away and flattening his throne in the secondary and it is a defensive hold which brings with it a first down here's Marshawn Lattimore and prior to the Power Defense number 23. five yard penalty automatic first down we've talked about Sean Payton having that play in his pocket Willie Snead grew up in Michigan played at Muskegon Heights High School and threw for over 4 000 yards and 40 touchdowns in high school so he got the old high school arm cranked up but couldn't connect in this divisional play I bet you he completed that pass every time they worked on it in practice too from the 16 Kingdom throws pass incomplete Wright didn't have his head around with Williams in coverage and Keenum ends up on his back starting to get a little pressure on him now and you know we've talked about Cam Jordan we've shown the disruptive force that he has been but we're seeing Keenum he's taking some hits he's been forced to get the ball out when he hasn't really wanted to and you see the drop backs and the knockdowns and the in the hits so we've gotten after him a little bit now uh [Applause] second down situation they got their big people in Saints are loaded up defensively to defend the Run hand on to McKinnon fights his way just across the 20th and a gain of five Craig Robertson on the tackle well we've seen what's happened on on the third downs and they have Rashad Hill at right tackle just simply has not held up and Cam Jordan is working against him again here and we'll see whether or not they give some help with him in the Protection One on One there the pass is caught by Diggs first down and more big play on third down and now Case Keenum is [Applause] eight for ten on third down well Ken Frawley he's in man coverage on Stefan Diggs and you see when you're in man coverage and you've got those Crossing routes and that's with Vikings and every other offensive football like to do navigating the bodies in order to stay in tight coverage is almost impossible they've hit him on that a few times and let's go let's pick third down conversion for this Vikings offense crowd wanted a flag for a late hit they don't get it that was 22 yards here's Murray with the ball covered up back to the line of scrimmage that's all I've talked about Dennis Allen and you know will he start bringing some pressure not necessarily right here but when you're looking at a six-point game a field goal is huge so as they start to creep in if they do I would expect some some calls by Dennis Allen to try to create negative plays because they cannot afford to make this a two-possession game [Music] Octavius Murray's under three yards of Karen wide receiver screen for Deads good blocking first down but a flag comes in and it's against the Vikings [Applause] [Music] [Applause] you see what the call is we'll get it from stairs bigger Block in the back offense number 82. 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul replays second down by Kyle Rudolph gets a thumbs up on the flag from Mike Pereira in our booth and he says good call yeah I think that Rudolph he came off the ball and Hattie have just gathered himself a little bit you know easy to say after the fact you don't know where the receiver is with the ball but looked like he probably didn't have to do as much if he just handled it a little bit differently but a big game gets negated and now they're looking at second and long yeah second and 19. passes caught by thielen and he goes down immediately so the third and long coming tail there to tap him down a game of just five well you get to the third and long and and you know just the odds of converting these are are not good I mean let's be honest it's hard to do and this is an offense that has been really good on third Downs throughout the season but in this situation Pat shurmer trying to tile something up that gives them a chance but Keenum a punt is not a bad save here he's just got to be real smart with the football oh my God pass to the sideline broken up pass intended for the feeling and no flag as Latimore was there in coverage and Latimore banged up at the end of the play well it's kind of like what happened earlier on another play you know these bang bang collisions as the ball's arriving you know he yeah he probably got there just a a tick before the ball but these officials when it is that bang bang type sequence they're going to let it go I think it was a good non-call Mike Pereira do you agree excellent and that's what they have been told if it's that close that it's only a foul in slow motion if it's that close let it go this one's blocked and recovered at the 40. a special teams play as taysom Hill third string quarterback came in and blocked it right off the foot of Ryan quickly that's his first block of the year some Hill he started playing special teams a few weeks late in the season and he gets a jump off the ball and oh no it was Johnson Hill off the edge and Johnson up the middle and I don't know if Quigley had to avoid taysom Hill but it's Johnson getting the left hand up and what a play by George Johnson free agent from Rutgers yeah well George Johnson he didn't join the team to the last three weeks of the season and he makes a huge play he was able to just bust right through the middle I think the The Edge pressure from taysom Hill you know certainly didn't help things but George Johnson he got back there and there was no chance get that ball off now Breeze looked like he wanted to Launch off his spot in the pass is cotton now inside the 30 is Ted Ginn and he's wrestled down to the 25. it's a six-point game and the Saints have the football with a first down at the Minnesota 25. new contact at the top of that route too there's a whole it's like bumper cars out there because Brees is out of the pocket there there would be no call but you you see Gideon he comes across and he looks like you like he got ball it did out of the shotgun Breeze steps into it pass caught again again he's been busy he gets about nine Trey wains on the tackle Watch taysom Hill on that effort trying to block the punt he doesn't get there but somehow avoids a penalty not slamming into the body of Quigley and I don't think there's any doubt that pressure by Hill bothered quickly stepped inside and Johnson got his hand on the pawn yeah he uh you know when we saw in real time I was with you it sure he got back there so fast it was right there in the area that you know he thought that he was the one who got the hand on it great job by the special teams Ingram falls down but untouched and they're going to give him a first down you know Mike Westfall he joined this team in the middle of the year or westoff excuse me he joined the this team in the middle of the year and what an accomplished special teams coach he is and he's improved this group dramatically in every area he's a Hired Gun by Sean Payton and boy they needed to play and they came up with a big one Sean Payton thanks Tayson Hill could very well be the quarterback of the future for the Saints but right now just made a dent on special teams first down Saints under three and a half to go foreign [Applause] all the way back from down 17 to nothing [Applause] it's now 2020 with the extra point coming pretty simple route combination they go trips they run the outside guys on Slants they got Alvin Kamara inside here on Slants and he's going to run that route there he's one on one on Kendricks and it's just it's not bad coverage I mean honestly but it takes a perfect throw hey Drew Brees had himself a heck of a second half Lots puts New Orleans on top for the first time today what a comeback with 301 left let's go back to it when you got a man like that and you've got a receiver slash running back with the skills of Alvin Kamara on a linebacker as good as Eric Hendricks is and as well as he can run you've got a lot of field to work with as the quarterback as soon as they lined up he saw man coverage he knew exactly where he was going with the football and time after time this year the rookie has delivered special teams got the block punt and then Drew Brees the vet with his 13th career postseason start seven and five overall one in four on the road I don't know Millie is talking to commissioner Roger Goodell and maybe if the Vikings extend their run she'll be here for Super Bowl 52 but there's gonna have to be work done now by Case Keenum Troy and well what a story that would be what a story he is Alvin Kamara who joins Gail Sayers in 1965 is the only other rookie to have five or more rushing touchdowns five or more receiving touchdowns and a kick return for a touchdown he's just a Dynamic Athlete and they went right to him he's a great great player and the things that he's able to do watching him this year a great Runner as we know but he does things as a receiver not so much on that play but other things within routes that you just simply do not see from Young Players he's terrific and hats off to Mickey Loomis and Jeff Ireland for the draft class including Alvin Kamara this year [Applause] it's all out in front of this offense for the Vikings pass is caught over the middle by the tight end Rudolph but a short gain of just four this is what you've been living for and the opportunity to show that you belong and there's a lot of things working in your favor you got the clock in your favor you've got three timeouts and just execute the offense the way you have all year second and six the screen isn't there Keenum gets loose good effort but short of a first down by a yard but Keenum avoided a sack [Applause] there's mantai Teo is there for the stop a yard short of the first out you know they win a period during the regular season where you know he didn't get sacked hardly at all and then the last part of the year he was getting hit a lot and he has saved this offensive line a few times and off for the first down to McKinnon and we are at the two minute warning a game that can't get much better Vikings of the ball down by one two minutes left see the career-long field goal for Kai Four bath different circumstances no doubt talked to Mike zimmery said about the 35-yard line is where I feel good with format that's about 30 yards away came out of the shotgun first down throws it away in essence all right I know Vikings fans don't want to see this and they'll blame me but there's no time like the president to change the narrative opportunity maybe the 98 NFC champ game against Atlanta Gary Anderson missing what could have been an icing 38-yard field goal they went on to lose that game and then the one two years ago in 2015 Blair Walsh wide left from 27 yards away in the loss against Seattle in the Wild Card round and those are just the kicks I mean they've had some other devastating losses over the years in other ways low snap throws it flag pass oh bye by healing oh my God up for grabs and feeling with a catch of a lifetime flags are down I think they were going to get the flag on Latimore anyway right there but they're gonna get a lot more [Applause] five-yard holding penalty they're going to get this completion it looks like how good is this guy unbelievable he comes into the league as an undrafted free agent and just over the years he gets the defense prior to the pass holding Defense number 23. that penalty is declined we also have passive appearance Defense number 23. that is also declined in the result of the play is a completed catch in the first down it's really phenomenal this guy comes into the Vikings it's an undrafted free agent as you said earlier in this ball game and not a lot expected out of him and he just continued to work his tail off each and every day in this turned himself in to an All-Pro wide receiver is going against one of the best corners in football Marshawn Lattimore Pro Bowl player and Adam thielen makes one heck of a catch unbelievable 24-yard catch it'd be a 58-yard drive from here so they're edging into field goal range pass incomplete feeling the target again and Latimore was defending again 10. now this is where Case Keenum you know he's got to be real smart about this and understand where he needs to get to and you know and cannot take a sack and then on the other side of this is the two challenges by Sean Payton leaves him just one time out second down and ten I know you said the 35-yard line Joe but you know he can get to the 39 I mean right on the Range now for four bath they don't really need any more Blitz coming off the edge pass is caught by Rudolph and there's near the 35. even catch is made gain of five third and five now here's the deal so now they're out of their the clock stops they're gonna I would guess run the ball but if they go for it and pick up the first down they can run this thing down you know and not leave any time left but you know do they want to risk knocking themselves out of range throws it up for grabs again and it's incomplete Rudolph the target [Applause] and it's fourth down that was a dangerous throw again yeah it was and and yet you got to realize as I said that you got to get the ball out and you just can't take a sack so yeah close but they give four bath an opportunity assuming he makes this they're going to leave time on the clock for Drew Brees as well it'll be a 53-yard try second NFL game for the guy snapping at Jeff over ball [Applause] this for the lead four Bass got it [Applause] foreign [Applause] [Music] and of course Adam thielen makes the makes the great catch but what a job by Case Keenum in that situation and you're down and you got to come down and get some points to retake the lead and and now with with plenty of time this defense that we have dragged on all year long and throughout this game will they be able to make a play it'll be the number two offense against the number one defense with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line for bath Camara will take a knee Troy I think both head coaches have what they want games on the Line Drew Brees on the field for Sean Payton and this defense on the field for Mike Zimmer of Minnesota I think you're right I think if you'd asked each of these coaches with the game on the line what units do you want on the field there's no question Sean Payton would say I want the game and Drew Brees's hands and Mike Zimmer he's been coaching this defense since he got here four years ago they're one of the best if not the best in football and have been for a few years and it is game on what a second half for Drew Brees 23-21 Vikings here we go Grays floats it Thomas incomplete the only team to overcome a 17-point deficit in the final 17 minutes of a playoff game to win the New England Patriots in last year's Super Bowl that's what Drew Brees and the Saints are trying to do down at one point 17 to nothing now down by two well they better block up 97 Emerson Griffin because these tackles with this noise are going to have a problem here he is on the edge with Daniel Hunter on the other side Breeze underneath pass caught that's the tight end Hill [Applause] and the focus will shift to will Lutz the place kicker for the Saints he's missed from 58 in this game he hit from 57. last week that means the 39-yard line of the Vikings they were in zone coverage the last play they go man now Braves pass caught again out of bounds and they are knocking on the door here already a field goal range a gain of 11 with 55 seconds left Mackenzie Alexander here he's playing such soft coverage he's like he didn't quite get the call so he doesn't come up and challenge Ken of course you know again is one of these burners you got to respect that speed as well but that's why Ken was as open as he was Breeze quick throw pass broken up save your Rhodes with the left arm in front of Thomas and the All-Pro makes a play that's been a heck of a matchup throughout this game and the battles that are going on that's a that's a great great play by the All-Pro Xavier Rhodes Joe what are they looking at they only need about six seven yards in order to give Lutz a shot and see what's him if he wants to try to make threes get the ball out quick but they're playing coverage right now they're showing a two-man look s is off the left hand of Thomas paddle with Rhodes continues they had Camara split out wide to the right but the throw was for Thomas there's will Lutz second year Pro out of Georgia State thinking about what might be headed his way well Mike Zimmer of the last three defensive snaps he's given three different coverages and has not brought anything yet third and ten they're showing the safeties wide up here and the vulnerability of that defense is in the middle pass is incomplete it was there and through the hands of Michael Thomas now it's Fourth Down we've tried this route combination three times now on this on this drive they opened up the possession with the same throw with the Press coverage trying to get Thomas on a back shoulder fade and here we go this is a game this is the game because they're not in field goal range so that means the Saints have to get 10 yards to have a life red line is where they want to go for the field goal try fourth and ten Graves pass caught Sneed the 33-yard line now with 40 seconds left the conversion biggest throw of the game by Drew Brees and it was perfect it was perfect and they played two deep safeties they got man coverage across and then you got to just win if you got the one-on-one and they're able to get Willie Snead on a seven route basically a corner route and Brees hangs in there he's got ice running through his veins and delivers a perfect ball 13 yards on Fourth and ten it would be a 51-yard drive from here sideline again out of bounds just inside the 30. so they're taking a little bit of the edge off for will Lutz and during the regular season was 31 of 36. 13 of 16. 40 to 49 yards and four for five from 50 plus you've got to believe I've been expecting to see it I've got to believe that Zimmer is going to come after him but he's still showing coverage Blitz here passes caught it's Michael Thomas and the clock is stopped with 30 seconds left as the Saints I believe used their final timeout police set the game clock to 33 seconds that's 23 seconds please they're going to put 33 seconds on the clock it was the Vikings that took the time out on defense and that was close and if there's a review it will not come from the sideline and it will come from the booth well they'll take a look at it and it looked like I didn't think I saw enough there that suggested it wasn't a previous play so the Saints are able to hang on to their time out as Minnesota took it and they're reviewing the catch right now the ball is inches inside the 25. so you're looking at just over a 40-yard field goal try here previous play was second and six from the 29 ruled a five-yard catch [Music] [Applause] so after a dominant first half by the Vikings and their only blip was a 49-yard Miss by Kai forbath the Saints have come roaring back an interception played a key role delivered by Marcus Williams the rookie safety Sean Payton and Drew Brees they have the Saints in position to win the game yeah and what does Sean Payton want to do here third and short he's still got a timeout a little bit of timeout and if they pick up the first down here then they're able to run this clock down to nothing and and kicked the the field goal to to Win It it's long look we haven't seen anything with our reviews to say that they'll overturn the five-yard catch call Breeze in the second half 17. of 22. 177 yards three touchdowns no interceptions against this number one ranked defense he's been tremendous after review the ruling on the field stands it is a completed catch third down one and a half New Orleans [Applause] looks like it's a long one saying third and one but I gotta believe Sean Payton is going to keep this ball on the ground Chimera in the backfield gets it carries it doesn't get anything in fact lost half a yard and a timeout is taken by the Vikings they have one left the Saints have one left give you a recap sendejo with an early interception two picks in the first half for Drew Brees latavius Murray with a touchdown rush Saints started their comeback late in the third quarter a blocked punt led to this by Alvin Kamara [Music] a moment ago a big field goal hit by Kai Forbes 53 yards for a two-point lead it's been a tremendous second half and now here comes will Lutz 29 seconds left 43-yard drive for the lead Lux drilled it and the Saints are back on top [Applause] and so 25 seconds left and this game is not over with a timeout remaining for Case Keenum and the Vikings well that was perfect execution in in Lutz he delivers it perfectly just splits the upright it's never a doubt whatsoever and yeah there's still time on the clock they're going to have to give Keenum a little better protection than he has had here on recent possessions he's been having to run around they've got to be able to get some chunks at some point with very little time that's the third lead change over the last two minutes 36 seconds and Drew Brees has shown his experience his Brilliance number three in the all-time passing yardage list with over 70 000 yards and is sure to be Hall of Fame career and he and the Saints now lead by one [Music] so 25 seconds left starting at the 25. it's all on Case Keenum and this Minnesota offense to give Kai Four bath another chance we'll see what he can do we talked about it when Bruce took the field Breeze against this Minnesota defense and tell you in today's game it is hard it is hard to stop a quarterback like Drew Brees and all you need is a field goal to keep that from happening we'll see if Tina can work a little magic here [Applause] and now no snap by the center Pat elf line ball start offense number 74. five yard penalty first down everybody moved on the line except for elf line didn't snap it [Applause] looks like he's trying to go you know you've heard him at the line of scrimmage trying to use a little hard count maybe you you get a free play and can take a you know shot down the field immediately [Applause] he's got his own guys move first and 15. pass to Diggs first down they got to use a timeout I would think and 17 seconds left time out taken by the Vikings they're out of timeouts they need 20 25 yards to give four bath a chance with 18 ticks remaining down by one and either they're going to catch the ball and get out of bounds and stop the clock but if it's inbounds they either have to get down or you know score a touchdown but to get into range for a field goal in the with a running clock you see the green line there where they got to get to it will be hard to get up there and get set and stop this clock with a running clock [Applause] achiever Wright had fallen down Rudolph was I guess the closest to it 14 seconds left yeah I think he's trying to you know that was a timed throw he's trying to get it in there to Jarius right right Falls coming out of it maybe they can get one on the boundary and catch it and then still have another play yeah you know clearly New Orleans is going to do all they can to keep this ball funneled back to the field [Applause] now third and final charge timeout New Orleans speaking about the Saints this earlier the largest lead franchises postseason history given up and a loss for the Vikings 14 points this would Eclipse that the largest deficit overcome for a postseason win for the Saints in their franchise history is 10 points the Saints franchise started in 67 one and six in the playoffs on the road saw Drew Brees he can hardly stand to watch pacing over there on the side I know the feeling [Applause] anyway [Applause] s he throws incomplete and more pressure Sheldon rankins came through and now 10 seconds remain in what could be a heartbreaking loss for the Vikings and a thrilling come from behind win for the Saints winner goes to Philly see that Sheldon rankins and they run a Twist inside and they want to try to get a shot but you're going to see what the Saints are doing they get these guys down here they're going to try to funnel everything in and that's the short side of the field and so they're figuring to save time that's going to be where keenum's going to try to work the ball on the boundary [Applause] touchdown unbelievable Vikings win it foreign [Applause] Marcus Williams here he has a shot I'm not sure really what he's thinking Joe he comes in he's got him dialed in and he just all he's got to do is make a play and even if he catches it you tackle him in bounds the game is over and I know Diggs he's he's catching this he's expecting somebody to hit him and he turns around heck nobody's there and he's Off to the Races and it's pandemonium 61 brilliant yards for Stefan Diggs and Case Keenum has just taken the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship game in a game none of us will soon forget I'll buy roll they got to kick this they got to kick this extra point I don't know how they're going to get that done case Cannon cannot believe it nor can anyone else I just I just simply don't know what Marcus Williams was thinking for a guy who's had such a great career I mean excuse me a great year during his rookie season but what a finish for this Minnesota Vikings team

Channel: NFL

Views: 2,997,436

Keywords: NFL, Football, American Football, sport, sports

Id: A7g9v0BSsvA

Length: 146min 21sec (8781 seconds)

Published: Sun Mar 22 2020

Reddit Comments

[u/[deleted]]

@ 2:23:55

“What could be a very heartbreaking loss for the Vikings and a thrilling come-from-behind win for the Saints”

I would say “aged like milk”, but it’s more like “aged like ice cream on a hot day” lol

[u/sbvp]

That Sendejo interception tho

[u/SurlyWet]

NFl gAMePASsisfRee