1. Diggs not the only clutch receiver
People will remember the "Miracle in Minneapolis" — Stefon Diggs' 61-yard touchdown play — as long as the Vikings are playing football. Over time, two sideline catches from Jarius Wright and Adam Thielen will fade from memory. But without those plays, Diggs' catch might not have led to the same outcome. Wright's 27-yard grab put the Vikings in field goal range after the Saints pulled within three points in the fourth quarter, and Thielen's 24-yard catch — on a play in which Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was flagged for both pass interference and holding — put the Vikings in range for Kai Forbath's 53-yard field goal after the Saints had taken the lead.
2. First TD shows Shurmur's creativity
Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is likely to be the New York Giants' next head coach, once Minnesota's season eventually concludes. His play call on the Vikings' first touchdown showed why he's in high demand. On a second-and-8 from the Saints' 14, the Vikings sent Diggs from left to right on a jet sweep fake, and as the Saints defense followed him, Case Keenum pitched the ball to Jerick McKinnon, with left tackle Riley Reiff blocking a cornerback one-on-one. It was a strong play design that put several players in position to succeed, and it worked flawlessly as McKinnon waltzed into the end zone.
3. Keep an eye on Sendejo's status
Coach Mike Zimmer said he thinks safety Andrew Sendejo is "doing a lot better" after the Michael Thomas hit that put him in the NFL's concussion protocol on Sunday. It would be wise to monitor Sendejo's health throughout the week, though, as the Vikings prepare for the Eagles. Philadelphia has the NFL's third-ranked run game, and the Vikings could use Sendejo, a strong run defender who can make plays near the line of scrimmage.
ben Goessling
