Vikings @ Saints - NFC Championship Game

What a game. And what a shame.

Sorry it took me so long to come up with anything about this game. The four hours of constant suspense I witnessed two Sunday's ago was a lot to take in. The Vikings had their chances. The Saints gave them plenty of room to steal the win. But it wasn't meant to be.

Another heartbreak. I've been through my share as a fan of this team, but this one stings. Really, really stings. Reminds me of that feeling just over a decade ago when a perfect field goal kicker missed a field goal.

Tough to know where to start. Adrian Peterson's fumbles, including a game-changing one deep in Saints territory. Brett Favre getting absolutely pummeled throughout the night, and capping off the game, the season, and perhaps his career with an interception. Poor kickoff coverage on special teams. The endless fumbles and turnovers that killed momentum. A complete lack of pressure on Drew Brees. A Saints team that threatened to take control but gave the Vikings an outstanding opportunity to win the game late in the fourth quarter. An inexplicable, inexcusable 12 men in the huddle penalty when the Vikings had just barely pushed into field goal range, arguably costing this team a Super Bowl bid. A mundane penalty that may have ruined it all.

It's a lot to process. With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, I thought this was their year. I thought it was FINALLY the year. I began to get emotional because I thought they were going to Miami. But after the 12-man penalty pushed the Vikings back to their 38 yardline, Favre tossed a pick. The Saints took over possession and, in the process, took the game to overtime. They won the toss (guess the Vikings didn't hear everyone in Barry Dyngle's scream that "tails never fails"), and after several key plays, including a questionable spot on 4th down, a questionable pass interference penalty, and a bobbled reception that was reviewed, a field goal gave the Saints a win.

And then at 10:18 pm EST it was over. An exhausting, exhilarating year had ended in an instant.

It certainly could be argued that the Vikings were the better of these two teams. As it turns out the Vikings had the biggest total yardage advantage by a team to LOSE a postseason game. But make no mistake about it, they weren't the most deserving team. With a complete inability to take care of the football at key moments, the Vikings weren't the deserving club.

Despite the interception that ended the season, it was an absolute pleasure to watch Brett Favre this season. Despite the fumbles, it's always enjoyable to watch Adrian Peterson do his thing. Despite allowing the Saints to push into field goal range in overtime, this defense deserves credit for keeping the Beloved Purple in the game.

It was a thrilling game, one of the most thrilling ones I've ever seen. It was also one of the most devastating. No, the Vikings didn't do enough to say they deserved to win. But take away a few mistakes, and they're Miami-bound.

None of that matters, though. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. If there is one thing I learned over the years of being a sports fan is that all that stuff is irrelevant. What I'm left with though is unquestionably one of the most crushing Vikings losses of all time. And I've been through plenty of those.

As for the Saints-Colts matchup in Super Bowl 44??? Gee...let me know who wins...