Minnesota Vikings-Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson's scoop and throw changed game

MINNEAPOLIS -- Russell Wilson's eyes got as big as saucers.

Trailing by nine points with perhaps its best chance of the day to finally get on the scoreboard, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback watched a shotgun snap whiz by the left side of his helmet.

Minnesota's defense swarmed, but Wilson calmly and alertly scooped up the ball, rolled to his right and found wide receiver Tyler Lockett all alone in the middle of the field for a completion.

The play kickstarted Seattle's fourth-quarter rally. Two plays later, Wilson hit receiver Doug Baldwin on a quick out for a 3-yard touchdown pass, pulling Seattle to within 9-7.

"When bad things happen, you try and turn them into something positive and something good," Wilson said. "Sometimes, things might not be going your way, we may not be clicking on offense for whatever reason, but the score was still reachable."

"You keep believing in one another, keep playing the play and just find a way. I believe there is no excuse and that's the mentality I play with. Just find a way and we were able to do that."

A Vikings fumble on the next drive set up kicker Steven Hauschka from 46 yards out and Seattle's first lead of the day. What had been a raucous TCF Bank Stadium was suddenly silent.

The Seahawks weren't safe until Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a 27-yard chip-shot, field-goal attempt in the dying seconds, but if the Seahawks indeed reach the Super Bowl for a third consecutive season, Wilson's scoop and throw will be one of the main reasons why.

"The football gods were with us today," Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said.

Seahawks notes

--The Seahawks have allowed one offensive touchdown in their last six road games and have won all six of those games. Sunday, they allowed just three Blair Walsh field goals.

--Seattle became just the second team since the NFL merger and the third in NFL history to win a playoff game after being shut out through three quarters. The last team to do it was the 1978 Atlanta Falcons. "We all have each other's back and believe in each other every play," Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor said. "When you have that going for you then you are able to believe that we can overcome anything as a team."

Vikings notes

--Wide receiver Adam Thielen was active after sustaining a shoulder injury against Green Bay last week. Thielen did not have a reception and was targeted just once but had an impact on special teams.

--Cornerback Terrance Newman left the game in the second half with an ankle injury and did not return. He was replaced by rookie Trae Waynes, who picked off Russell Wilson in the third quarter for his first career interception.

Seahawks injury notes

--Running back Marshawn Lynch did not make the trip after practicing fully all week. Lynch missed the last seven games of the regular season following sports hernia surgery in November. His status for next week against the Carolina Panthers is uncertain. Christine Michael took Lynch's spot in the starting lineup and rushed 21 times for 70 yards.

--Tight end Luke Willson did not play because of a concussion. Willson's status for next week is uncertain. With Willson out, the Seahawks went with Cooper Helfet and Chase Coffman at tight end against the Vikings.

--Punter Jon Ryan appeared to break his nose early in the first quarter when he was tackled following a bad snap on his first punt. Ryan tried to leap over a pile of players but was upended and landed hard on the facemask of his helmet. Ryan punted four more times in the game after initially receiving a questionable-to-return designation.