SLIDESHOW: It Was Fun While it Lasted

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm not a 49-er season ticket holder, and my two south end zone (rear) tickets were delivered by FedEx on Friday thanks to a man who sold them to me via StubHub.

Harvey, (who shall remain last-nameless) saw an opportunity to make a buck off of his beloved red and gold team. He was probably home keeping warm and dry counting his 20s (okay, his 100s), while my son and I experienced the shear madness of an NFC Championship game on a wintry evening at "the 'Stick."

I've been to playoff and World Series games at AT&T Park, Shea Stadium (New York) and Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati) and I truly thought nothing could compare to the unity, passion, excitement, noise and torture of MLB post-season play.  Until Sunday.

There's no way to describe the vibe at the 'Stick during the biggest game the stadium has hosted in years. You'll high-five, hug, scream, and ultimately cry with complete strangers during the almost-surrealistic experience of 49er football. 

A sea of red and gold filled the stands and not a single member of the 49-er Faithful sat down from kick-off till the devastating 31-yard field goal kicked by the Giants' Lawrence Tynes in the excruciating overtime. 

Fans (who weren't stuck in traffic and arrived at the stadium early enough) received "Rock the Stick" rally towels which created a red and white whipping frenzy from the sidelines to the rafters. 

And the noise. The decibel level is something you have to experience for yourself to believe.  A contagious gut-level passion rises as the ball moves down the field and new Bay Area sports legends born, but the most raucous cheers were saved for each of the SIX sacks of Giants' quarterback Eli Manning.

The thought that our team might not win never really crossed the minds of 70,000+ fans in attendance last night. But in the shock and awe that silenced the stadium on Kyle Williams' fumbled punt return, and as Tynes' ball cleared the crossbar, reality set in and the long off-season began.