The Minneapolis Miracle was an all-time great moment, but it sent the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings down two very different paths. The iconic play is etched into sports fans’ collective memory – Stefon Diggs streaking into the end zone and throwing his helmet, jubilant. Marcus Williams falling to the turf after realizing his mistake. It’s turned into glossy Bleacher Report profiles and prime-time commercial ads. Every NFL sizzle reel this year has managed to fit in a frame or two of that decisive play.
Given how each team’s fortunes have turned out since then, Saints fans would be quick to say that moment and game didn’t matter – but it did.