Poor Marcus Williams. On January 14th, during the fourth and final Divisional Playoff game of the weekend, NFL history was made. After electing to go after a big hit on a deep throw from Minnesota Viking quarterback Case Keenum, the targeted receiver on the play, Stefon Diggs, came down with the catch, eluded Williams’ attempted tackle, and scampered into the end zone to seal the win for the Vikings. The play, which is affectionately being dubbed as the Minneapolis Miracle, sent the New Orleans Saints home, while the Vikings moved on to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Conference Championship.
Looking back, it was a play that Williams, a first-year-pro for the Saints this season, needed to make. The technique he used when trying to make the stop was abysmal, to say the least. With the Vikings at their own 39 yard line and only ten seconds left in the game, the likelihood of the team scoring a touchdown was so unlikely. All Williams had to do was wrap-up Diggs. He didn’t need to go for the big, crushing hit or the flashy play. He just needed to wrap him up and take him down. His job was to prevent Diggs from getting into the end zone and keep him from getting the Vikings closer to an easier field goal attempt. That didn’t happen.
This play will be tough for Marcus Williams to bounce back from. Obviously, he will have to stew in his own thoughts, and others’ thoughts, about what transpired that night. Fans will always find someone to blame, and Williams is a popular person in the regard. He’ll get the majority of the criticism from fans because he didn’t do his job correctly.
However, this is as much of a coaching issue as it is Williams’ decision to go for the “big hit.” Before the play even began, the Saints defense has to know to just wrap up whoever has the ball. Don’t let anyone in purple pass you. Keep the play in front of you. You don’t need to do anything flashy. Sean Payton, the Saints Head Coach, should have made this clear to his defense. When the play came to the rookie Williams, he didn’t do any of that. If you coach someone up well enough, that person should know what to do and what not to do in certain situations. So, when Keenum heaved the ball to Diggs, Williams attempt to go for the big hit also shows a failure in coaching.
Instead of a Saints win, history was made in the Vikings favor.
Diggs’ score was the first time ever that an NFL playoff game ended with a game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation. It represents a lot for a football franchise that has only won four playoff games in the 21st century. This play gave fans hope and the realization that if the Vikings can defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the team they root for may finally be able to win a Super Bowl in what could be the 5th time the team would appear in the big game.
For Saints fans, this play will represent what could have been. They had a strong team this year with an improved defense and a new running game. They had an opportunity to make a deep playoff run this year. With strong rookie season from a variety of players, including Williams himself, and Drew Brees most likely back at quarterback, the strides the team made this year after finishing with a 7-9 record last year is a success in itself. The Saints will be back next year, and Williams and the entire team can use Diggs’ touchdown as motivation entering next season.
