The busted play was not only a key factor in Detroit’s win, but it also added to St. Brown’s impressive statline. He finished with seven receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown.

After the game, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell discussed the play that was the proverbial dagger in their playoff hopes.

“I believe we were kinda going to maybe an inverted, kinda two-deep look there, where the corner might have been responsible for the deep half,” O’Connell said. “From my vantage point, I have not talked to (Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores) or any of our guys about it.

“From my sideline, it looks like maybe a bit up on the underneath route, whatever it was, (or) outcut, and the integrity of the deep part of the field might not have been there. Jared found it, and it was a huge play, considering kind of where the momentum was at in the game, and we were just trying to hope to get one more opportunity to maybe see if we could tie it up.”

The big-time play by Goff and St. Brown just added to the career-best season by the latter. Still hot over his Pro Bowl snub, St. Brown finishes the 2023 regular season with 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns, which is tied for fifth most in the NFL among all receivers.