News

Stunner: Keenum-Diggs TD on last play; Vikes win 29-24

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017. Photo: Associated Press/AP Photo/Paul Sancya


DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Pro Football Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Case Keenum completed a last-ditch heave near the sideline Sunday on the game’s final play, as Stefon Diggs slithered away for a 61-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a 29-24 victory over New Orleans and send the Vikings to the NFC championship game with one more win needed to become a first-time Super Bowl host.

Drew Brees had driven the Saints in position for Wil Lutz’s go-ahead 43-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining, punctuating a steely rally from a 17-point deficit that stood until 1:16 was left in the third quarter.

The Vikings were out of timeouts and nearly out of options when Keenum dropped back with 10 seconds to go from his 39 and threw high into a crowd. Diggs jumped in front of Marcus Williams, who rolled awkwardly underneath Diggs during an ill-fated attempt at a tackle.

Diggs held his ground, kept his feet in bounds and raced untouched into the end zone as the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium erupted.

__

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Recent Headlines

6 hours ago in Sports

MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7

Major League Baseball proposed to shorten the regular season to 154 games from 162 starting in 2029 and to expand the Division Series to best-of-seven in a plan given to players during collective bargaining Thursday.

6 hours ago in Sports

A’ja Wilson wins her third straight WNBA MVP and record fifth overall

A'ja Wilson won the WNBA MVP on Thursday for a third straight year and record fifth time overall. Besides her three-peat, Wilson also won the award in 2020 and 2022.

7 hours ago in Education, High School, Local, Local Sports, Sports, Trending

Mount Vernon School District mulls upgrades to athletic facilities

A district committee recommended two six-year capital levy options to fund a covered stadium, among other improvements.

13 hours ago in Sports

Fan interference denies Anthony Volpe a tying homer as Yankees get swept by Rays in ALDS

With the Yankees' season at stake, Anthony Volpe was denied a tying home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of their AL Division Series when a replay review determined a fan interfered with his drive to deep left field Wednesday night.

13 hours ago in Sports

Brewers eliminate Padres with 3-1 win in Game 4, advance to NLCS rematch with Dodgers

Although outfielder Garrett Mitchell gracefully accepted congratulations for robbing Manny Machado of a tying home run late in the Milwaukee Brewers' Division Series-clinching victory, he clearly wasn't all that impressed with himself.