NFL.com is compiling a list of the top 20 games in 2015, and the frigid Wild Card playoff matchup between the Vikings and Seahawks came in at No. 18.

Even with the way it ended, didn't you just know this game would be on the list?

Elliott Harrison of NFL.com took a look back at Minnesota's 10-9 loss on a Jan. 10 afternoon that was minus-6 degrees, the third-coldest game in NFL history.

Even in this modern era of prolific offenses and rules partially designed to carry them, we can still celebrate a descendant of pro football's past. Seahawks at Vikings in the NFC Wild Card round was a great watch, even if nobody came close to sniffing a 300-yard passing day.

Actually, the quarterbacks in this game -- Russell Wilson and Teddy Bridgewater -- failed to post 300 yards passing combined. Neither offense could do jack in the first half, battling sub-zero temperatures and two championship-level defenses that weren't afraid to tackle in this stuff. (Ever hit somebody big and muscular when it's [6 degrees] below? It takes intestinal fortitude.)

Pete Carroll and Mike Zimmer, head coaches whose career arcs emanated from defensive disciplines, boast plenty of players who weren't afraid to do the dirty work. The 3-0 halftime score certainly reflected it. Even those points only came because punter **Jon Ryan* *bloodied his nose trying to run on a botched punt attempt*.*

On a day where Wilson struggled passing, and had several balls sail on him, there was still intrigue ... just of a different sort. Carroll, knowing the difficulty the weather imposed on the kicking game after watching the debacle with his punter, challenged the Vikings defense twice on fourth down in their territory. Neither worked out.

The Vikings held a 9-0 cushion entering the fourth quarter thanks to a trio of field goals from kicker Blair Walsh, but Seattle scored the next 10 points to take the lead.

And although Minnesota was in a position for a potential game-winning field goal with less than 30 seconds left, the attempt was no good.

The Vikings saw their season ended in bitter fashion after going 11-5 and winning the NFC North for the first time since 2009.

Harrison said the postseason slugfest in the freezing temperatures was a nod to old-school football.

Football as a sport was meant to be played in the elements. The earliest NFL postseason games were often decided in frigid cold weather or ice, like the "Sneakers Game" and "Ice Bowl." That's why running the football and playing defense were so integral to success.

Seahawks at Vikings was a throwback, and in its own way entertaining. And isn't that what this list, and the NFL, is all about?

NFL.com is counting down the list with a new game each day. The list can be found here.

Perhaps another Vikings game will make the list later on.