Just when everyone had settled into happy playoffs dreams, they were jarred awake by that age-old Vikings alarm clock.
You know the sound. It's definitely not a gentle buzz or an easy-listening tune. Instead, it screams: "Warning! Look Out! You're Doomed!" And it's as natural in these parts as November snow and weekend trips to the cabin.
In other words, the Vikings did what they always do: Build up hopes and then knock them down.
What's different is the timing. Where did Sunday's game come from? There was no warning. Granted, these are the Minnesota Vikings.