The final play of the Minnesota Vikings’ overtime win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card had its share of controversy — or, at the very least, confusion.
Kirk Cousins connected on a game-winning touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph, but it appeared that Rudolph extended his arms to gain separation on P.J. Williams. The play could have been reviewed for offensive pass interference, and the moment Cousins was informed of that possibility, he put the celebration on hold.
Cousins described that game-winning touchdown in a radio appearance with KFAN Sports Radio. Amid the celebration for Rudolph’s catch, Cousins said he went straight to the bench so he could re-focus for a possible penalty and additional play.
Cousins said that he was basically the last Vikings player to realize they officially won the game. It took offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski coming over to tell him that the game was done. Cousins was game-planning a next play at the time with Klint Kubiak:
“Chris Myers from Fox came over and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to do the postgame interview.’ And then somebody — I don’t know who said to me — they’re going to be reviewing it. So, I told Chris, ‘I can’t do anything yet. I’m gonna get my mind right in case we gotta keep going.’ So I went over to the bench and sat down. And I sat there for 10, 15 seconds, talking to Klint Kubiak the quarterbacks coach. Just saying, ‘Hey, what’s the thought here? What do you think of the drive?’ And kind of looking down — I wasn’t looking up. And Kevin Stefanski came over after what felt like a while, but it was probably only 15, 30 seconds and said, ‘Kirk, we won the game.'”
But hey, at least Cousins had the right mindset in case the officials actually reviewed (and overturned) the no-call for pass interference. After all, plenty of former NFL officials thought offensive pass interference was warranted on the play.
