It could have been so sweet. The storybook finish to a storybook season and a storybook career were well within reach. With just under two minutes left on the clock the Vikings looked like they their come from behind win would be complete. The team was within scratching distance of a field goal with the score tied 28-28 when Favre threw the interception that sealed the season’s -and very likely his career’s- fate.

The game ended regulation a 28-28 tie. The Saints won the coin toss and proceeded to push the ball all the way down the field for a Garret Hartley 40-yard chip shot that catapulted the Saints to their first Super Bowl in history and probably put the final touches on Favre’s legendary sports betting career.

Favre looked sharp for most of the day as the Vikings 1-2 punched the Saints D all day long with a steady dose of Adrian Peterson running (25 carries for 122 yards and 3 TDs). Favre finished 28-46 for 310 yards and a TD, but the telling stat of the day was his 2 INTs, especially his fourth quarter toss. The story of this game was much more than just an untimely Favre pick, though, as the Vikings turned the ball over an unprecedented 5 times on the day to the Saints 1 fumble lost.

And despite the Vikings outgaining the home team 475 yards to 257 yards it mattered little as the Saints kept their hands on the ball and took advantage of every Vikings turnover. The guessing games have already begun as to whether Favre will retire or comeback and will carry on well into August. But in the meantime, the Vikings have to face the fact that they threw the game away and the Saints are headed to the NFL Championship.