The 14th Anniversary Of The 2009 NFC Championship Game

I am typically not a game day drinker. I like to be clear-headed when I watch football because I enjoy the subtle nuances of the game that I feel alcohol can blur a bit.

However, for that game, I was just too darn nervous. I drank and drank while tailgating to try and blunt the nervousness but it was almost impossible with the energy around the Dome.

While we waited in line to get in, I could feel myself swaying a bit and realized I’d overdone it. Thankfully the line took a little time to move through and when I get to the front, they’d sent away a guy who was so hammered that he could barely move. I suddenly became worried that I’d be too drunk to enter. Turns out, I was probably about average for the crowd that day. 😆

I’ll never forget the feeling of sadness I felt when Chester Taylor ripped off that long run on the Vikings final drive to get them into FG range. It was so eerily quiet in the Dome.

I remember thinking “how could we lose this game? How am I going to ever feel confident about a Saints season again?”

I was dreading the walk to the car, the drive home.

It had been such a strange game. The Vikings had they not had so many unforced errors - would have absolutely mopped the floor with the Saints. The Saints played a relatively clean but underwhelming game as opposed the Vikings aggressiveness and dominance between the 20s.

When Porter picked off the pass, it felt like waking up from a nightmare.

The OT was bizarre. So many close plays, so many reviews, so little rhythm. The crowd was so anxious - and as much as I’m glad it worked out - I don’t think Pierre got the first.

When Hartley made the kick, it was one of my most favorite memories in the Dome. So glad I was there to witness it.