MINNEAPOLIS—Danielle Hunter had three-and-a-half of Minnesota's franchise-record 10 sacks and a fourth-quarter fumble return for a touchdown, making for a miserable afternoon for Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions in a 24-9 victory by the Vikings yesterday afternoon.
MINNEAPOLIS—No miraculous play was needed for New Orleans to win this game in Minnesota, no where-were-you moment that instantly went viral.
MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Vikings played a back-to-the-basics game, leaning on Latavius Murray's powerful legs and a smothering defence that was in prime form.
The Arizona Cardinals just couldn't keep up on either front.
MINNEAPOLIS—Josh Allen played with the poise of a well-seasoned quarterback, hustling to give Buffalo an early lead in his first NFL road start.
Then the Bills turned their defence loose on Kirk Cousins and delivered a stunningly-lopsided victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
MINNEAPOLIS—Kirk Cousins gave the Minnesota Vikings exactly what they needed for a victorious debut by their new quarterback.
The throws Cousins made in tight coverage at important times were on target.
And unlike Jimmy Garoppolo, he kept the ball out of the other team's hands.
MINNEAPOLIS—While Jose Berrios struggled through a four-start stretch that began in mid-April, the Minnesota Twins were reeling for most of that time.
His last two turns have been masterpieces—and maybe the injury-affected Twins have found a groove again.
MINNEAPOLIS—Fernando Romero's major-league debut for Minnesota carried the extra weight of a Twins' team that won only once in its previous 12 games.
No pressure, kid.
Well, he sure didn't appear to feel any.
Romero kept Toronto scoreless while pitching into the sixth inning, giving the Twins a badly-needed boost in a 4-0 victory over the Blue Jays yesterday afternoon.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.—The path for Stefon Diggs to last-play touchdown fame and sudden Minnesota saviour didn't start with such brilliance.
Diggs only has arrived at this stage of his life and his career, a Vikings' standout on the verge of a Super Bowl, with an unrelenting diligence and a dose of humility.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.—Their minds still racing with child-like exuberance over the stunning last-snap victory that sent them to the NFC championship game, many of the Minnesota Vikings remained awake several hours past midnight.
MINNEAPOLIS—As Case Keenum convened the Minnesota huddle with 10 seconds left last night, the situation staring down the Vikings was as simple as it was daunting.
With the go-ahead field goal by the New Orleans Saints that silenced this deafening stadium still fresh in the air, the Vikings were well beyond any moment of anxiety.
