I am a LONG suffering and highly pessimistic Vikings fan – trust me, I earned it. Still, hit the horn and pump it up!

- The 2000, 41-Donut NFC Championship loss still rings in my brain. 1998 game is beyond words for me..Remember the Cardinal loss that knocked them out of the playoffs? Ugh!

- These games come down to “x-factors”. In the case of last week’s games, it was Edwards for us, Bush for them. Who will be the x-factor? I think it has to be either Percy or AP.

- Worried about Winfield and their big receivers. They will come out throwing quick routes.

- Even if he plays, Edwards can’t be as effective and maybe even a detriment.

- Defense needs to get at least two turnovers.

- Is this season a success even if we lose? I think so, I didn’t expect us to be here but don’t necessarily credit Chilli. I think they got here IN SPITE of him and because of Favre. Just think about that ‘loss’ to SF or Baltimore that never were and got us to a bye.

- Yeah, I’m a Vikings fatalist, it is from a lifetime of being let down – HARD. I am gristled and beat down, too many times. Never seen them in a SuperBowl.

- If they win Sunday, I suspect a few tears will be shed for everything from 89, 98, 2000, 2003, etc to the Burns year. Again, I was born purple…literally! I have had moments where I have allowed myself to consider it and find myself getting emotional about it. Anyone else? Or am I just a sap? I’ve been scalded too many times, some of them by Favre himself!

- If they go to the SB, I may have to go see it for myself.

- Unheralded storyline: Favre vs. Sharper. My buddy seems to believe that Favre has his number in the back pocket of his Wranglers.

- Again, this is a different team on the road, so I have no reason to think otherwise. Remember Arizona? That was a dome game too. So which team will show up? This season has shown me, especially RECENTLY, that they will not be able to compete. Revised score, 38-24 Saints.

- Fingers, toes, balls crossed!