Another Wild Card playoff game, another overtime victory. Yesterday it was Houston emerging victorious in a close game against Buffalo; today, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints in a nerve-wrackingly close game, 26-20.
Minnesota won on a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Kyle Rudolph. For Cousins, who has been under pressure to be a decisive factor in playoff games, the win at the Superdome was significant for both the Vikings’ postseason and the larger arc of his career.
Kirk Cousins in Notable Games
Entering 2019 Wild CardPlayoff Games: 0-1
Vs Winning Teams: 6-30
Road Games: 17-26-2
Overtime Games: 0-2-2– – –
Cousins defeated the 13-3 Saints in the 2019 Wild Card on the road in overtime.
Kirk. Daniel. Cousins.#Vikings | @Vikings
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 5, 2020
Minnesota was helped by Drew Brees playing an uncharacteristically lukewarm game in what might be his final home game for the Saints. There were echoes of past playoff losses for the Saints here as well: Minnesota also triumphed over New Orleans in the 2018 playoffs, prompting delight from Vikings fans, anger from Saints fans and impressive memes from virtually everyone.
2018: Eliminated by Vikings on a game-winning TD
2020: Eliminated by Vikings on a game-winning TD
Saints fans: pic.twitter.com/doby9SQfCU
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 5, 2020
The game-winning touchdown was not without some controversy, however. In receiving the pass, Rudolph used his arm to fend off Saints cornerback P.J. Williams, leading some to argue that Rudolph had committed offensive pass interference.
It is illegal for an offensive player to extend his arm or arms and create clear separation from the defender. That was OPI. #MINvsNO
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) January 5, 2020
The NFL did not review the call. Saints fans responded to the lack of a call (and the touchdown) by littering the field with trash as the game ended.
The Minnesota Vikings will continue their playoff run next Saturday, as they face off against the San Francisco 49ers.
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