Best Monday Night game of the season, and it isn’t close. Minnesota 30, New Orleans 27 was so thrilling, the on-field action was nearly enough to make us completely avoid mentioning the three guys in the booth – almost: TK was terrific, from the Eastern Illinois riff to the “Gus Frerotte hated me for nine years” line – and stick to the absurdness:

* Two punt returns for TDs by Reggie Bush (video after the jump)
* blocked FG returned for a TD by Minny
* halfback option pass for TD by Minny
* failed onside kick attempt – in the first quarter
* Four turnovers and 11 penalties by the Saints
* Just 41 yards of total offense from Adrian Peterson

Perhaps we thought the game was fantastic because we had a vested interest in the Vikings – not only to reach the NFC Championship game, but in terms of a wager – and if Martin Semi-automatica had hit that field goal late, we might not be writing this because we’d have hit the bottle so heavily we’d still be unconscious. But two other footnotes must be mentioned: The horrific play-calling of Brad Childress, and embattled Ed Hochuli.

Childress is a nincompoop. No way around it. Far too much Frerotte (19-for-36). The Saints are expecting a hefty does of Adrian Peterson? Well you’ve got the better offensive line, and the Saints have a poor defense (27th in the league coming in), so you go with your strength. The passing, until the final drive, did not work – and even then, that TD pass to Berrian was beyond lucky. The only reason Minnesota won this game was that its hard-hitting defense made enough crucial plays (Antoine Winfield, for the second time this season, was the MVP) to overcome a sputtering offense.

We just feel bad for Hochuli. It’s as if he’ll never live down the empty-handed error, and his entire career his been reduced to one bad whistle (well, that and his bulging biceps). Sure, his crew missed the facemask penalty that caused a Reggie Bush fumble, and there was the skipped pass they initially called a catch and later overturned, but Hochuli is going to get the treatment from fans and coaches for the remainder of the season. Poor guy. The NFL would be wise to stick him on a few crummy games until the stench of the Denver call is gone. Problem is, next week’s slate is so loaded with significant games, where do you hide him? Don’t say Jets-Bengals – if he blows a call that costs the Jets the game, the NY media will be relentless.