With a game plan that targeted Vikings’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs for double coverage throughout almost the entire game, the Saints’ defense gambled and lost on leaving Adam Thielen without enough extra defensive attention.

Perhaps it was this that made the New Orleans Saints coaches turn their attention from Adam Thielen to Stefon Diggs on Sunday. A crucial fumble in a 2018 game that absolutely turned the game around in favor of the Saints in US Bank Stadium.

No? Then perhaps it was the fact that Thielen, after straining his hamstring in a Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions, had been out nearly two months and was returning to form slowly on he took the field, catching only three passes in games against the Chargers and Packers and being held out completely in Week 17.

Or, maybe it was the fact that he began the Wildcard playoff game in the Superdome on Sunday by doing this…

In fumbling the ball on the Vikings’ third play from scrimmage, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen may have made his mind up for the game; stick a still rusty Thielen with less consideration than the bigger threat in Stefon Diggs.

Working Formula

This strategy worked for some time. Though the Vikings ran the ball well, drives stalled without a consistent passing game and the Saints held a 10-3 lead with time running put in the first half.

Then this little well-known purple ditty happened. Thielen pushes the cornerback off with a nice up-and-out move and is wide open just outside the New Orleans red zone.

Two possessions later, Vikings down 10-6 with 2 minutes left in the second quarter, Thielen hits an open spot in the Saints’ zone and it’s time to ask yourself the last time you’ve seen a Viking receiver that wide open in the middle of the field.

Although Stefon Diggs did indeed get temperamental about his role as decoy, Thielen continued his return to game shape before our very eyes, giving his QB a easy target down to the New Orleans five.

A few plays later, Dalvin Cook makes it 13-10, Minnesota.