perspective.

i'm not gonna lie, i'm disappointed right now. i could say "it's just a game" or i could abandon the vikings altogether and be a fairweather fan (Like i'm sure most of minnesota will do tomorrow). but i truly am disappointed. i'm not mad at the vikings - what gives me a right to criticize their playing anyway? all i've done this season is sit on the couch and watch sportscenter and sunday games.

but i had to know this was coming. i'm from minnesota. when is the last time a minnesota team topped off a fantastic season with a championship? by my records it's been nearly 20 years - the 1991 world series win was a long time ago. in my lifetime i can name 7 great minnesota sports seasons that didn't end in a championship:

january 17th, 1999: minnesota vikings lose to the atlanta falcons in the NFC championship because of a missed extra point. they had been 15-1 in the regular season.

2001 nfc championship: underdogs who fought their way to the NFC championship, the vikings lose the game to the NY giants, shutout 41-0.

2004 nba western finals: after a top-seeded record-setting season, the timberwolves were eliminated in the 3rd round of the playoffs by the lakers. they were the underdog team that beat the denver nuggets and sacramento kings in two incredible playoff series. only to be eliminated the round before the NBA finals.

2006: after the most incredible end-of-season comeback by the minnesota twins to get the playoff spot against the detroit tigers. the twins had the CY young winner, the MVP, and the batting champ (3 separate players!) on their roster that season. the oakland athletics swept them in the first round of the playoffs.

2008: the twins again stage an insane comeback that led to a tie-breaking game 163 against the white sox. the winner would go to the playoffs. the coin toss sent the game to chicago. the twins lost 1-0.

2009: mid-june the twins had no chance at the playoffs. in august they were 9 games behind the detroit tigers. they finished the season strong, sweeping the royals all while watching the white sox sweep the tigers. again they forced a game 163 - which was played at the metrodome. the twins won this one. only to be swept by the yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

2010: minnesota vikings begin their season 7-0, and end it 12-4, earning the 2nd seed in the NFC. they demolish the cowboys in the 2nd round of the playoffs. they advance to the NFC championship yet again. with 19 seconds left and in field goal range, brett favre (the oldest QB ever in a playoff game) throws an interception, sending the game into overtime. the saints win the coin toss and proceed to get a game-winning 40-yard field goal.

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i could call minnesota the state of choke-artists or failures, but they're not. the point is i love watching them. they are good guys (minus the love boat scandal..) who love what they do. and while it'd be fun to win a world series or a super bowl, i still love watching teams fight to get that top seed. if i knew that the twins would never again win a world series, i'd still cheer for them. i'd still go to as many games as i could. same with the vikings. both the twins and the vikings have some of the lowest payrolls in professional sports and that's what i love about them. our rosters aren't made up of a bunch of hot shots, but a bunch of guys who love sports.

i'm disappointed tonight. not because the vikings "let me down" but because i wanted them to get to the super bowl. for them. for their great season. for their hard work throughout the season. i could complain about the "questionable calls" or the unsportsmanlike defense or the mass amount of turnovers. but none of that matters. the vikings had a great season and i loved every second of it. even tonight as i paced back and forth in front of the tv screaming in fear and joy, i loved watching that game.

thanks vikes for a great season. we'll see you next year at your letdown game and we'll be behind you in it. and same with you twins, you'll drive me crazy during september and let me down during october. but i still love ya.