MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Needing a touchdown to win and down to 27 seconds left in regulation, the Minnesota Vikings sent their massive nose tackle in to clear a path for their most powerful running back on third-and-goal from the 1.
Linval Joseph lined up in the I-formation in front of Matt Asiata, and the blockers began to make space behind the left tackle.
That’s not where the play went, though, on one of many sharp calls by offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in his first game at the controls.
Rhett Ellison had motioned across the formation before the snap, and Sam Bradford quickly stuck the ball in the backup tight end’s chest for a surprise burst into the end zone off the right end.