Marcus Williams made a lot of Minnesotans happy, and the statewide joy may extend through the Super Bowl that will be staged in Minneapolis.

Williams, a New Orleans rookie and former University of Utah star, missed a tackle and enabled Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs to finish a 61-yard touchdown on the final play of Minnesota’s 29-24 victory in an NFC divisional playoff game. That’s the first time an NFL playoff game ended with a winning touchdown in regulation.

As the Vikings prepare to visit No. 1 seed Philadelphia in Sunday’s NFC championship game, here’s a closer look:

Team’s theme

Thanks to the miraculous finish against New Orleans, the Vikings and their fans believe they’re destined to play in the Super Bowl as the host team. This already is the closest any franchise has come to earning that opportunity.

How they got here

The Vikings went 13-3 to win the NFC North title and claim the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, riding the work of fill-in quarterback Case Keenum and the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense in yards allowed. Minnesota’s playoff win sent the team into the NFC title game for the first time in eight years.

Local connections

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s full-time coaching career started in 1981 at Weber State. He spent eight seasons on Mike Price’s staff, including six years as defensive coordinator. Defensive line coach Andre Patterson worked with the Wildcats under Zimmer in 1988. Linebackers coach Adam Zimmer was born in Ogden during his father’s WSU tenure.

Best player

Harrison Smith, safety. Smith has become a top-tier defensive back in the NFL after a solid career at Notre Dame. He intercepted a Jordan Wynn pass and the Irish defense held a highly ranked Utah team to 265 total yards in a 28-3 victory in 2010. Smith is a first-team All-Pro selection and the anchor of a strong secondary that also features Xavier Rhodes.

Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith intercepts a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Best player you’ve never heard of

Adam Thielin, receiver. Thielin is outperforming that description as a second-team All-Pro choice, but he’ll always be known as an undrafted player from Minnesota State. That’s an actual school in Mankato, not the fictional college from the old “Coach” sitcom. Thielin caught 91 passes for 1,276 yards in the regular season, producing consistent statistics. He’s good for a half-dozen receptions every game.

Moment in Utah/BYU opponent history

Vikings kicker Kai Forbath made field goals of 22, 52 and 50 yards for UCLA against BYU in the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl and attempted a 28-yarder on the final play. BYU lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna blocked the kick, with the ball fluttering short of the goal posts as the Cougars escaped with a 17-16 win.

Reasons to cheer for them

Keenum, like Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles, is in an unlikely position after replacing the injured Sam Bradford. The Vikings never have won a Super Bowl, and their last appearance on that stage came 41 years ago. A hometown team in the Super Bowl would be an interesting case study of the secondary ticket market and create a new dynamic in the buildup to the 52nd game.

ABOUT THE SERIES



Tribune columnist Kurt Kragthorpe introduces the four teams in the Sunday’s NFL championship games. This installment: Minnesota Vikings.



