Although there was no miracle, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Saints 26-20 on Wild Card weekend. It was a game that took overtime, but the Vikings started out the game with some frustrating plays.
At the beginning of the game, Adam Thielen lost a fumble and had a costly holding call that negated a big play. In the weeks leading up to the playoffs, Thielen didn’t look like the same receiver Vikings fans are used to seeing. However, the elite version came out in New Orleans after his slow start.
Thielen finished with seven catches for 129 yards and made the play that set up the game-winning touchdown to Kyle Rudolph.
The play that set up the win.
Kirk Cousins with a DIME to Adam Thielen! 🎯 (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/vMGNGrHowN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2020
Getting Thielen back in the mix was vital for the team’s success, and he stepped up in a big way. The run game was huge with Dalvin Cook having a great day, but it shows how much better the team is when Thielen gets involved.
If the Vikings are going to continue to find success throughout the playoffs, Thielen is going to have to continue to show that he is a top receiver in the league.