The previous playoff meeting between the two teams was the 2009 NFC Championship game, which was notable for the excessive roughness of the Saints, later termed "Bountygate", as well as the Vikings driving close to a game-winning field goal before quarterback Brett Favre threw an interception.

[1][2] Prior to the 2016 season, Minnesota's starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a non-contact injury that produced a dislocated knee, torn ACL and "other structural damage".

[3] The severity of the injury nearly cost Bridgewater his leg and compelled the Vikings to trade two draft picks to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford as a replacement.

[6] The Saints, for their part, produced their third consecutive 7–9 showing in 2016, leading to rumors that they might fire or trade coach Sean Payton during the offseason.

[4][10] Bradford suffered a knee injury of his own in a Week 1 game against the Saints, resulting in Case Keenum taking over at the quarterback position.

[11] Keenum subsequently led the Vikings to a 13–3 regular season record and the NFC North title for just the second time since 2009.

[11][12] Three Vikings scored eight touchdowns: running back Latavius Murray, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

[21][23] Roughly five minutes later in the quarter, a field goal by former Saints kicker Kai Forbath gave the hosts a 10–0 lead.

[23][24] Minnesota added to its lead on the first play of the second quarter on a one-yard score by running back Latavius Murray.

[23] A 12-play New Orleans drive culminated with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter,[23] when Brees threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas to reduce the deficit to 17–7.

[31] Following the field goal, Saints head coach Sean Payton mocked the Minnesota home crowd by imitating the Vikings fans' "Skol" clap.

[37][38] The intent behind the play was to have a receiver catch the ball and then run out of bounds to stop the clock in time for Forbath to kick a field goal.

[37] Upon returning to the ground, Diggs stumbled slightly but managed to regain his balance and stay in bounds with no Saints players nearby to tackle him.

[52][53] Assuming the game was over, broadcast and stadium crew packed the field, and most Saints players left for the locker room.

Only eight players – punter Thomas Morstead, wide receiver Austin Carr, defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, linebackers Manti Te'o and Gerald Hodges, and offensive linemen John Fullington, Josh LeRibeus, and Larry Warford – took the field for the Saints on the final play; only three of them were defensive players.

[57] Keenum led the stadium in a rendition of the Vikings' "Skol" clap and chant and knelt to end the game on the two-point conversion try.

Bradford joined the Arizona Cardinals,[67] while Bridgewater signed with the New York Jets before being traded to the Saints to back up Brees.

[68] To replace the departed trio, Minnesota signed Kirk Cousins to a fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million contract.

[72] Payton also expressed regret about calling a draw play for Alvin Kamara on third-and-one on the Saints' final drive.

He explained that the failure to convert – and thereby extend the drive – provided the Vikings with the opportunity to get one final possession after Wil Lutz's field goal.

[73] In an interview published days before the 2018 NFL season, Marcus Williams explained that he had made peace with his error and its consequences: "I don't think about what everyone else is saying.

"[74] The Vikings and Saints faced off once again at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 8 of the 2018 season, in what was billed as a "rematch" of the Minneapolis Miracle game.

[29][81][39][82] Joe Buck later told Rich Eisen in an interview: "As far as football, it's probably number one for exciting moments that I've been a part of.

"[83] Meanwhile, Williams – who earlier intercepted Keenum to help get New Orleans back into the game – was widely criticized for diving at Diggs instead of waiting to tackle him in bounds.

[85][86] Saints punter Thomas Morstead was praised for his sportsmanship as he was the first player to return to the field for the extra point attempt.