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A22 sports
Wednesday 12 december 2018
Seahawks on brink of playoffs after 21-7 win over Vikings

By TIM BOOTH through a gap in Minneso-
AP Sports Writer ta’s offensive line was fine,
SEATTLE (AP) — Bobby but it appeared he used his
Wagner leaped over the teammates to gain lever-
line of scrimmage, swatted age, which allowed him to
Dan Bailey’s field goal at- come through and block
tempt and sparked the Se- the kick. A flag was initially
attle Seahawks to two late thrown but was picked up
touchdowns. by the officials.
Whether or not what Wag- Wagner said he attempt-
ner did was entirely legal, ed it four times in practice
he frankly didn’t care. without a problem but ac-
“I’m not stressing about knowledged it could be
that. I made the play. They tough to pull off the play
called what they called,” during the fourth quarter of
Wagner said. “There’s times a tight game.
in games where things hap- “When I did it in practice
pen all the time. I’m not I was pretty fresh,” Wag-
stressing on it. It was a big ner said. Zimmer said he
block and we’ll definitely asked for an explanation of
take it. It was amazing.” Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner (54) leaps to block a field goal attempt by Minnesota Vikings’ what happened but wasn’t
Wagner’s block midway Dan Bailey in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Seattle. given one. He was told he
through the fourth quarter Associated Press couldn’t challenge.
was the catalyst in a 21-7 into a Seattle party in the said. “It was almost poetic in the NFC. “Quite honestly, I didn’t see
win over the Minnesota Vi- fourth as the Seahawks (8- after last week’s game that “Part of it is being better on what happened. I was told
kings on Monday night that 5) moved to the brink of Bobby would get to block third downs. We haven’t what happened,” Zimmer
pushed Seattle to the brink wrapping up a wild-card the field goal and he pulled really done a good job said. Seattle took posses-
of a playoff berth. spot in the NFC. One win in it off and did it. That was an there. Part of it is being sion and Russell Wilson im-
Chris Carson followed the Seattle’s final three games incredible play.” better in the red zone,” Vi- mediately scrambled 40
blocked kick with a 2-yard — including matchups with Minnesota (6-6-1) twice kings coach Mike Zimmer yards deep into Minnesota
TD run with 2:53 left, and lowly San Francisco and Ar- had scoring chances in the said. “We had the ball on territory. Five plays later,
Justin Coleman capped izona — should be enough fourth quarter when it was the 2-yard line and didn’t Carson scored and Seattle
off the Seahawks’ fourth to put the Seahawks into still a one-score game but score.” finally had a cushion. Two
straight victory with a 29- the postseason. was turned away each But much of the conver- plays after that, Jacob
yard fumble return for a “It’s really about the de- time. Minnesota’s chances sation centered on Wag- Martin sacked Minnesota’s
touchdown 18 seconds fense. I loved the way they of winning the NFC North ner’s block of Bailey’s 47- Kirk Cousins and the ball
later. What was an ugly played, they played so took a major hit with its sec- yard attempt with 5:38 left popped to Coleman, who
and mostly forgettable hard and so spirited,” Se- ond straight loss, but the Vi- and whether it was en- weaved his way for the
first three quarters turned attle coach Pete Carroll kings still hold the No. 6 spot tirely legal. Wagner’s jump clinching touchdown.q

Vikings fire OC DeFilippo after another flat performance

By DAVE CAMPBELL through the 2016 season. precedented three-year
AP Pro Football Writer Pat Shurmur thrived in the contract, piled up the pass-
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The role last year, with a ca- ing yards over the first eight
Minnesota Vikings have reer-best season for fill-in games. Adam Thielen and
fired offensive coordinator quarterback Case Keenum Stefon Diggs were domi-
John DeFilippo, whose first and a 13-3 record that pro- nating opposing teams,
season on the job ended pelled the Vikings to the and the Vikings topped 400
after just 13 games amid NFC championship game. total yards four times.
a sharp decline in produc- Shurmur, however, was Lately, though, they’ve
tion by the offense over the hired as head coach of the been unable to generate
past six weeks. New York Giants. He want- nearly enough points to
Stefanski will take over the ed to bring Stefanski with complement another by
play-calling duty from De- him, but Zimmer blocked effective run by Zimmer’s
Filippo, whose work with that move out of a desire to renowned defense.
new quarterback Kirk Cous- keep him on his own staff. Zimmer publicly questioned
ins didn’t materialize into In this Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Minnesota Vikings offensive The 40-year-old DeFilippo DeFilippo’s decision-mak-
coordinator John DeFilippo looks at his play sheet during the
consistent success. second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, in came from Philadelphia, ing more than once over
The Vikings (6-6-1) have Minneapolis. lauded for his work as quar- the past month, stressing
been held to under 300 to- Associated Press terbacks coach with Car- his interest in more of a run-
tal yards in four of their past games to go. game. Stefanski has been son Wentz and then Super pass balance and chiding
five games. They’ve scored “I think the added piece of an assistant coach with Bowl MVP Nick Foles. He him at one point for essen-
an average of 12.8 points in the disappointment is when the Vikings since 2006, sur- had previously served one tially trying to trick too many
those four games. your defense is playing so viving two head coaching season as an offensive teams rather than relying
Thanks to the struggles of well,” Cousins said after changes. He’ll be the fourth coordinator, in 2015 with on the offense’s strengths.
several of their NFC com- the Vikings went scoreless play-caller in five years un- Cleveland. Asked after the game in Se-
petitors, though, they’re against the Seahawks un- der Zimmer, whose first of- The Vikings, who commit- attle how the offense could
still in control of the second til a garbage-time touch- fensive coordinator, Norv ted a guaranteed $84 mil- be fixed, Zimmer said,
wild-card spot with three down with 1:10 left in the Turner, resigned halfway lion to Cousins on an un- “That’s a good question.”q