7 takeaways from the Vikings playoff win over the Saints

Thielen looks back to normal

His day started off about as terrible as one could imagine, but for the first time since the early part of the regular season, Adam Thielen made an impact for the Vikings on Sunday.

After Thielen coughed up the football on the third play of the game, it felt like it was going to be a long day for Minnesota and their veteran receiver. But the Vikings maintained their composure and so did Thielen.

In his third game since returning from a lingering hamstring injury in Week 15, the talented receiver ended his day with seven catches for 129 yards on nine targets. While Thielen’s numbers were impressive, it was the nature of his catches that made the difference for Minnesota in their win over the Saints.

Six of Thielen’s seven receptions on Sunday resulted in first downs for the Vikings, including two catches of 34 and 43 yards that put Minnesota in position to score a pair of touchdowns.

With the way New Orleans was able to pretty much shut down Stefon Diggs, the Vikings needed another receiver to step up. Thielen proved to be worthy of the job and his re-emergence should have Minnesota’s offense feeling good about their next playoff matchup.