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Our countdown is heading towards its conclusion as we pay a visit to the Big Easy. Sorry Vikings fans.

2. Saints make Favre punchy and punch ticket to first ever Super Bowl.

Just under two minutes away from their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1976 season, Brett Favre and the Vikings authored an end of regulation collapse that prove costly.

Prior to a huge third down play from the Saint 33-yard line and tied at 28, the Vikings were called for a 12-men in the huddle penalty. The infraction had major ramifications. It forced Vikings head coach Brad Childress to make a decision.

Pass or run? Despite knowing his quarterback’s pension for throwing ill-advised interceptions, he dialed up a passing play. It would be Minnesota’s last play of the 2009 season.

A Tracy Porter interception and Garrett Hartley field goal in overtime later, the Saints prevailed 31-28.

While this game will be remembered for Favre’s interception and the Saints advancing to their first Super Bowl, the contest also left two rather sizable impressions on the Vikings fanbase.

The game’s porous officiating and Favre’s Saint-inflicted beatdown became a topic of discussion weeks and months after the contest.

While Favre may have been beaten into the retirement, the Saints could not celebrate too long. They had another future Hall of Fame quarterback to lambaste in Miami two weeks later.