NO SHUR’ THING FOR GIANTS ... YET

Pat, happy with Jints, still plays waiting game

MINNEAPOLIS — If this was some sort of audition to be the Giants new head coach then Pat Shurmur passed with flying colors. Literally.

The Vikings offensive coordinator was running down the sidelines as quarterback Case Keenum connected with wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a 61-yard touchdown pass on the final play to give the Vikings a 29-24 victory over the Saints and spot in next Sunday’s NFC Championship game.

Shurmur could be named the Giants new head coach by then.

“I don’t really know anything,” he said about the Giants opening. “I had a great visit with them last week. I felt like we connected. So we’ll have to wait and see.”

His application looks a bit shinier today after the Vikings actually out-tgained the Saints in total yardagege 403-358. The Vikings jumped to ann early 17-0 lead as Shurmur used mo-otion and underneath routes to ex-xploit the Saints defense. He also guided Keenum, who was making his first career playoff start, to 3188 yards on 25-of-40 passing.

“Coach Shurmur called a terrificc game,” Keenum said.

Shurmur stayed aggressive throughout the game unafraid to take chances, including on the final drive.

“There’s no reason to save the plays for OTAs,” Shurmur said. “Let them rip.”

He was hoping for at least a field goal on the final drive, but was delighted with the touchdown.

“It happened so fast I don’t really think it has sunk in on any of us yet,” he said. “We believe in our players and we believe down to the last play that they’re going to do something special.”

The Vikings head to Philadelphia where they will play the Eagles on Sunday for the right to go to the Super Bowl that will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium. Shurmururmur coached for 13 years in Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia has meant so much to me,” he said. “After coaching there for 13 years you still have a lot of strong relationships in the building. It’ll be fun to talk to everybody before the game. Then we’ll get it on.”