Minnesota Vikings Football

Vikings post five-game winning streak to creep closer to playoff spot

wildfan — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:38:00 GMT

Wild Celeb Pictures - January 2007

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - This, arguably, is the biggest cliche in sports: one game at a time.

The Minnesota Vikings don't care if this comes across as dull because their commitment - overstated or not - to such a focused approach is working.

Five straight victories have pushed the Vikings (8-6) close to a playoff appearance that was so improbable a few weeks ago. They're currently in control of the NFC's last wild-card spot.

Playoffs? That's right. Playoffs.

"I didn't understand that last word," coach Brad Childress deadpanned in response to a related question after Monday night's win over Chicago. "I wouldn't know that."

Beating the defending conference-champion Bears had as much to do with the injury-depleted and offence-starved opponent as it did with Minnesota's own performance.

Yes, but it counted the same.

"It's really been a day-at-a-time philosophy," Childress said. "I know that's trite, but that's really how we've looked at it."

That began in earnest following the 34-0 defeat at Green Bay on Nov. 11, when the Vikings fell to 3-6. The ensuing victories have been equally pretty and ugly, several of them at least partial functions of a slumping foe. That's how you go places in the NFL, though, by taking care of the teams that are clearly supposed to be beaten.

"We realize that we're a better football team than what showed up in Lambeau a month ago or so," guard Steve Hutchinson said after Monday's game. "Our motto from there on out was, 'Don't worry about the record. Don't worry about the rest of the season."'

Cornerback Antoine Winfield, who left Monday's game in the second quarter after he came down wrong on his left shoulder after breaking up a pass, was diagnosed with a strained pectoral muscle after an MRI test on Tuesday. Wide receiver Sidney Rice has a sprained ankle.

Though their status this week is uncertain, the prognosis was a bit of a relief.

"I don't have any preconceived notions, because both of them will drive hard to get back to be able to play at the end," Childress said.

Wild Celeb Pictures - September 2007

Players had their regular day off Tuesday and were unavailable for comment. There is less time to recover before Sunday night's game with Washington. It's a big one, too, with the Redskins and Saints trailing the Vikings by one game in the NFC race.

Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a loss or a tie by New Orleans, which hosts Philadelphia, but a defeat against Washington would put the Vikings in a difficult spot entering the final weekend. This is precisely why Childress has preached this one-at-a-time mentality.

"Coach is always talking about hunting somebody and being hunted," wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "As of right now, we are the team being hunted. We have got to take that kind of approach and really focus."

As Childress pointed out, Minnesota and Chicago had the same record at eight points over their first 11 games: 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, and 5-6. Since then, the Vikings have not lost, while the Bears have not won.

One big difference is the play of their quarterbacks. Tarvaris Jackson threw three interceptions on Monday, and two of them were ill-advised throws caused by shaky footwork and a strong rush. Those were the kind of mistakes he made all the time in the first half of the season.

Jackson has looked like a totally different player over the last month, though. His poise and ability to complete important passes has been right there with Adrian Peterson and the turnover-causing, run-stuffing defence as reasons for Minnesota's success during the streak. Jackson is 8-2 as a starter.

Kyle Orton, on the other hand, was not close to what the Bears needed to win. The Vikings were in his face a lot, and the secondary was flying all over the field to make tackles. They didn't give up a play longer than 19 yards.

"We are a very resilient group, and I think this shows the true character of the team," defensive end Kenechi Udeze said.

Wild Celeb Pictures - December 2007

Recap: Minnesota Vikings 27, San Francisco 49ers 7

wildfan — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:18:00 GMT

Wild Celeb Pictures - March 2007

Monday, Dec 17 Chicago 8:30 pm Buy Tickets ESPN
Sunday, Dec 23 Washington 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 30 at Denver 4:15 pm Buy Tickets FOX

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- After the 49ers schemed all week against Adrian Peterson, their plan to stop the NFL's leading rusher worked splendidly -- and that was the extent of San Francisco's successes in another big win for the resurgent Minnesota Vikings.

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Sports Network - 20 hours ago
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Monday, Dec 17 Chicago 8:30 pm Buy Tickets ESPN
Sunday, Dec 23 Washington 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 30 at Denver 4:15 pm Buy Tickets FOX

The Lions are cheap shot artists! Minnesota Vikings 42, Detroit Lions 10

wildfan — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:00:00 GMT

Wild Celeb Pictures - March 2007

Minnesota Vikings Schedule
Sunday, Dec 9 at San Francisco 4:05 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Monday, Dec 17 Chicago 8:30 pm Buy Tickets ESPN
Sunday, Dec 23 Washington 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 30 at Denver 4:15 pm Buy Tickets FOX

Yeah I said it! The Lions suck and are cheap shot artists!

Superstar Adrian Peterson was a little hesitant on the first couple plays of the game wearing a brace on his right knee and playing for the first time in a couple weeks. Once the big guy took a few shots from the soft Lions, some of which were definitely cheap, Peterson was off and running and so were the Minnesota Vikings, 42-10.

The star rookie rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns in less than three quarters of work and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson looked awesome and lead the Vikings over the *** Lions.

"I got choked up a couple times, so it kind of pushed my buttons," Peterson said.

Our Offensive Rookie of the Year is back in a big way, but the Vikings suddenly appear much more than a one-man show and just in time for the playoffs!

In the last three weeks, Tarvaris has shown poise, an accurate arm and command of the offense, and Sunday was his best game so far - he was 18-of-24 for 204 yards and two touchdowns, and the Vikings scored touchdowna on their first six possessions to win their third in a row and fourth in the last five games.

The roll has the Vikings back in the thick of the NFC playoff picture, thanks in large part to a November sucking sound by the Lions (6-6) that has an all-too familiar feel for their long-suffering fans.

Jon Kitna threw for 260 yards and one touchdown for the Lions, who have lost four in a row to waste a 6-2 start. The Lions rushed for just 23 yards on seven attempts against the league's top-ranked run defense, committed three personal fouls and were ***-slapped and manhandled at the line of scrimmage.

"It's a team that's gotten tentative," said Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who blamed himself for the loss. "Today, especially, we looked lethargic. The fundamentals aren't being executed the way I wanted. ... And that's on coaching."

Wild Celeb Pictures - March 2007

Adrian Peterson returned after missing two games with a torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. He looked to be just a step slower than his usual blazing self -- but that was still two steps faster than the *** Lions' defense.

He first dominated with a 28-yard run on the first possession to set up a touchdown run by Chester Taylor, then added a 16-yard scoring run to help the Vikings to a 14-3 lead.

The Lions came right back and scored on a 2-yard pass from Kitna to Casey FitzSimmons, but rookie Aundrae Allison returned the ensuing kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown to highlight a 28-point second quarter. Jackson threw touchdown passes to Bobby Wade and Sidney Rice, and the Vikings led 35-10 at halftime.

Peterson finished off the Lions on the first drive of the second half. He burst through a gigantic hole and then made safety Kenoy Kennedy look like a school girl with a superstar move on his way to a 13-yard touchdown. Taylor added 70 yards on the ground and the Vikings rushed for 216 yards.

The team started 2-5 and took quite a hit in a 34-0 loss at Green Bay a month ago but just like their biggest offensive stud, the Vikings are back bigger and badder than ever.

The Vikes move into a tie for the final wild-card spot in the NFC, with games remaining at San Francisco, home against Chicago and Washington, and at Denver. But they may not have to worry about Detroit for that much longer. Receiver Roy Williams left in the first half with a knee injury, and the Lions are in serious trouble.

Vikings Safety Dwight Smith was benched for the start of the game for disciplinary reasons and coach Childress declined to elaborate.

Wild Celeb Pictures - March 2007

Preview: Detroit Lions (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (5-6)

wildfan — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:47:00 GMT

Wild Celeb Pictures - April 2007

Minnesota Vikings Schedule
Sunday, Dec 2 Detroit 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 9 at San Francisco 4:05 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Monday, Dec 17 Chicago 8:30 pm Buy Tickets ESPN
Sunday, Dec 23 Washington 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 30 at Denver 4:15 pm Buy Tickets FOX

The Minnesota Vikings are part of the tight NFC wild-card race, and now they are about to get back the league's leading rusher, Adrian Peterson after winning their last 2 games without him.

The Lions did really well against Peterson the first time they saw him but the Lions probably won't be happy to see the big man back on the field Sunday as they try to win in the Metrodome for the first time in 10 years.

Peterson should be returning after missing two games with a torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. Still leading the NFL with 1,081 yards rushing, Peterson will be playing his first game at the Metrodome since rushing for an NFL-record 296 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a win over San Diego on November 4.

Childress said Peterson would likely split carries with veteran Chester Taylor, whose solid production the last two weeks have helped Minnesota to wins over the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants. Chester Taylor ran for 241 yards and four touchdowns in those games.

The Detroit Lions did a good job spoiling Peterson's first NFL start on Sept. 16, holding him to 66 yards on 20 carries in a 20-17 overtime victory.

Wild Celeb Pictures - April 2007

That win was part of a surprising 6-2 start for the Lions, seeking to end an eight-year playoff drought. They were one game behind Green Bay for the NFC North lead halfway through the season, but things have quickly gone south.

Detroit dropped its 3 straight game with a loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving, falling 4 games back of first-place Green Bay.

"We've hit three bumps in the road and after all the smoke cleared, we're still in the playoff race and in a good position," Dominic Raiola said.

The Lions are in sole possession of the NFC's final wild-card spot, but 6 teams are 1 game back - Washington, Philadelphia and Arizona - all own tiebreakers over Detroit. The Lions final five opponents are 35-20 - the toughest remaining schedule among the 12 NFC teams that are at least 5-6.

The Lions have won 5 of 21 games in December since 2002, and they open the calendar's final month in the Metrodome, where they have lost 9 straight games since a 14-13 victory on Dec. 14, 1997.

Minnesota is one of those teams that is a game back of Detroit, but will lose the tiebreaker with the Lions and destroy any playoff hopes if they dont win Sunday.

Last Sunday, The Vikings intercepted New York's Eli Manning 4 times, and set a single-game record by returning 3 of them for touchdowns. The Vikings had 3 interceptions in the loss to Detroit in September.

Jon Kitna threw one of those interceptions, and when he left after being hit hard, backup J.T. O'Sullivan threw the other two interceptions. In three career games against Minnesota, Kitna has thrown three touchdowns to seven interceptions.

Jon Kitna has thrown for 897 yards during the three-game skid, but does have 4 TD passes compared to six interceptions and has been sacked 11 times.

Kevin Jones rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries last week after running for just 21 yards and a TD on 15 attempts in his previous two games combined. Jones didn't play against the Vikings in Week 2 because of a foot injury.

The Vikings lead the league in rushing defense (74.8 yards per game), and is allowing an average of 53.8 rushing yards in its last four games at home in the Metrodome.

Preview: Oakland Raiders (2-7) at Minnesota Vikings (3-6)

wildfan — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:47:00 GMT

Heidi Montag Bikini Pictures

Minnesota Vikings Schedule
Sunday, Nov 18 Oakland 1:00 pm Buy Tickets CBS
Sunday, Nov 25 at NY Giants 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 2 Detroit 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 9 at San Francisco 4:05 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Monday, Dec 17 Chicago 8:30 pm Buy Tickets ESPN
Sunday, Dec 23 Washington 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, Dec 30 at Denver 4:15 pm Buy Tickets FOX

Preview: Oakland Raiders (2-7) at Minnesota Wild (3-6)

The Minnesota Vikings didn't fare too well when Adrian Peterson was shut down and knocked out of last week's game. They'll have to find a way to play much better Sunday without their star rookie running back taking the field at all.

With Peterson missing at least one game due to a torn lateral collateral ligament in his knee, the Vikings (3-6) look to get back on track when they host the Oakland Raiders (2-7), who will have Daunte Culpepper starting at quarterback in his first game against his former team.

Peterson came into last week's game at Green Bay looking for an encore performance after rushing for an NFL-record 296 yards against San Diego the previous week. The NFL's leading rusher, however, had a very rough day against the Packers, running for a season-low 45 yards on 11 carries before departing from Minnesota's 34-0 loss after getting hurt in the third quarter.

The injury is not deemed serious enough to require surgery or jeopardize Peterson's season, but the rookie first thought his year might be over.

Gemma Atkinson Bikini pics

"That pain was horrible. I don't know if you've ever experienced pain where you don't want anybody to touch you. Just be still for a few minutes until it calms down. That's the kind of pain it was," said Peterson, who's run for 1,081 yards this season. "Not really knowing what to expect because it was my knee. I was just praying, 'God please, don't let it be anything serious.'"

Vikings coach Brad Childress ruled Peterson out for Sunday, but wouldn't put a timetable on his recovery beyond that.

"I was very relieved. It could've been a lot worse," Peterson said. "I just thank God. I'll be back soon."

He won't be back this week, though, and the Vikings will need to make adjustments as they try to put last week's loss behind them. Minnesota managed just 247 total yards - 49 less than Peterson's rushing total when he powered the Vikings to a 35-17 victory over the Chargers in the previous game.

One of those adjustments will be turning to veteran running back Chester Taylor, who Peterson supplanted as the starter after rushing for 224 yards in a victory over Chicago on Oct. 14. While Taylor isn't the dynamic presence Peterson is, he's more than capable, topping 1,200 yards in his first season as a starter last year and averaging 5.0 yards a carry this season.

Taylor ran for 37 yards on just three carries last week.

"He obviously has a track record," Childress said of the 5-foot-11, 213-pound Taylor. "He's a good player as well, so just like I mention to you every week, we just expect somebody to pick up from there."

Despite the absence of Peterson, Childress has to be more comfortable with the situation at running back than with the Vikings' revolving door at quarterback. Brooks Bollinger became the third QB to start for Minnesota this season last Sunday, and went 16-for-26 for 176 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, as well as being sacked three times. Childress said Monday that he'll go with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback against the Raiders.

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Jackson, chosen the starter midway through training camp, did not play against the Packers as a precaution after suffering a concussion against the Chargers. He'll try to improve a Minnesota passing attack that ranks 31st in the NFL, although he's thrown two touchdowns and five interceptions in five games this season.

Oakland also is making a change at quarterback for this week, and the new starter is a familiar one to the Vikings and their home fans. Culpepper, who played his first seven seasons with Minnesota and threw for 18,598 yards and 129 touchdowns, will be back under center for the Raiders, who signed him during the offseason after he was cut by Miami.

With Josh McCown banged up and struggling the past two weeks, Oakland coach Lane Kiffin on Wednesday gave the job back to Culpepper, who has completed 56 percent of his passes for 817 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Culpepper relieved McCown for the second half of Oakland's 26-24 victory over Cleveland on Sept. 23 and then accounted for five touchdowns in a 35-17 victory the following week against the Dolphins.

He lost his next three starts, though, committing six turnovers and throwing two touchdown passes, before McCown returned from a broken toe to play the past two games. The Raiders, however, managed only 193 total yards against Chicago - 80 passing - and McCown went 1-for-13 during one stretch.

Culpepper fell out of favor in Minnesota despite three Pro Bowl seasons, as Childress traded him to Miami after an ineffective and injury marred 2005 season, and later accused him of being greedy and self-centered. Culpepper also clashed with Vikings management over his contract and his insistence on rehabilitating his knee at home in Florida, rather than in Minneapolis.

Minnesota will be looking to rebound defensively against its former teammate and Oakland after allowing a season high in points to Green Bay. The Packers gained 488 total yards against the Vikings, who are giving up 361.8 per game, fourth-worst in the league.

The Vikings hope to take advantage of the favorable matchup with the Raiders, who have dropped five straight and are averaging just 17.6 points this season. The offense sputtered again last week as Oakland fell 17-6 to the Bears.

Oakland has fared well against Minnesota, winning eight of 11 meetings and two straight in the series, although the teams haven't met since 2003. The Raiders won the last matchup at the Metrodome 22-17 on Sept. 19, 1999.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com

Celebrity Photo Gallery - 2007

Peterson will be back: Green Bay Packers 34, Minnesota Vikings 0

wildfan — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:19:00 GMT

Brett Favre was feeling goofy after taking an elbow to the head in the 3rd quarter. That didn't stop him from driving the Packers to yet another touchdown in a 34-0 rout of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

"I don't want to say it was a concussion, I'm not a doctor," Favre said. "But I was a little woozy when I stood up. I was well aware of what was going on, but I was a little light on the foot."

Favre passed another milestone, as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for more than 60,000 career yards. But unlike the last two weeks, the Packers (8-1) didn't need a thrilling bomb from Favre at the end of the game to win.

Instead, the Packers' defense roughed up new superstar rookie running back Adrian Peterson and kept the Vikings out of the end zone the entire game.

Exactly 1 week after his record-setting 296-yard performance against San Diego, the Packers held Peterson to 45 yards on 11 carries before knocking him out of the game with a knee injury in the third quarter.

Peterson said after the game he thought it was a sprain and he will have an MRI exam Monday.

"I feel a lot better than I did when I got hit in the knee," Peterson said. "I'm feeling pretty good right now."

Green Bay was leading 27-0 late in the third quarter when Peterson caught a pass from Brooks Bollinger and was tackled very low by cornerback Al Harris, injuring his knee. He did not return to the game and it looked pretty ugly at first.

"Adrian's a very, very talented athlete, and he's a very good running back," Harris said. "It's a shame that he got hurt. I wish the best for him. But, hey, we're trying to win games. That's it."

It was another tough blow for the Vikings (3-6), who hoped to carry over some momentum from Peterson's NFL-record 296-yard rushing performance in a victory over San Diego.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the shutout, the Packers' first since 2002, was important for the defense.

"We've talked as a team, it was time to shut somebody out," McCarthy said. "We've had some good performances where down the stretch, we probably could have played a little better."

Vikings coach Brad Childress didn't necessarily think his team came out flat, but like a man took the blame for the loss.

"If my team wasn't ready and I didn't have them ready, then I am going to take responsibility for that," Childress said. "It's my fault."

Peterson was having a hard time even before the injury. With Bollinger unable to put together a significant passing threat, the Packers roughed up on Peterson and held him in check.

"I don't expect to go out there and rush for almost 300 yards every week," Peterson said. "You've got your best game one week and your worst game the next. Really, we've just got to stay consistent. The team you seen last week is not the team that came here to play today."

With the Packers leading 20-0 in the third quarter, Favre slid on a scramble and was elbowed in the helmet. Minnesota defensive end Kenechi Udeze was called for a personal foul.

Favre appeared shaken up and McCarthy called for backup Aaron Rodgers, only to have Favre wave him off.

"Brett seemed to be OK," McCarthy said.

Favre drove the Packers deep into Vikings territory and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ruvell Martin on third-and-goal to put them ahead 27-0.

Favre threw another touchdown to Martin in the fourth quarter after defensive backs Darren Sharper and Cedric Griffin collided in the end zone and the ball bounced off them into Martin's hands.

Favre was 33-of-46 for 351 yards and three touchdowns before he was relieved by Rodgers. Favre broke Marino's record for career touchdown passes against the Vikings earlier this year, and now is 1,105 yards away from breaking Marino's all-time record.

Favre also got a rare boost from the Packers' usually dormant running game. Ryan Grant had 81 yards in the first quarter, including a 30-yard touchdown run that gave the Packers an early 7-0 lead. He finished with 119 yards against a tough Vikings rush defense.

Despite their success, Favre said the Packers have plenty of room for improvement.

"Today was awesome, but I still think there's so much more left for us to do," Favre said.

The Vikings finally put together a drive early in the fourth quarter, but were turned away when Charles Woodson intercepted on the goal line.

Sunday, November 18 Oakland 1:00 pm   Buy Tickets CBS
Sunday, November 25 at NY Giants 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, December 2 Detroit 1:00 pm   Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, December 9 at San Francisco 4:05 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, December 17 Chicago 8:30 pm   Buy Tickets ESPN
Sunday, December 23 Washington 1:00 pm Buy Tickets FOX
Sunday, December 30 at Denver 4:15 pm   Buy Tickets FOX

Sidney Rice didn't practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

wildfan — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:13:00 GMT

Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice was absent thursday from practice after tweakin the injury on Wednesday, Rice was unable to take the field. He has 18 receptions for 212 yards and has caught two of the team's five touchdown passes this year. WR Bobby Wade was limited in last week's game against San Diego because of a hyperextended knee, and he has also has been limited in practice again this week.

Wide receiver Troy Williamson is on track to play against the Packers after missing the last game while he was in South Carolina mourning the death of his grandmother. Williamson's older brother also has been in and out of coma after a car accident nearly 2 months ago, and the seventh overall selection from the 2005 draft said he wished he could have spent more time with his family.

The Vikings withheld Williamson's last paycheck for what coach Brad Childress called business principles.

"It's not a matter of 'excused.' He had a family obligation," Childress said, "He had to do what he had to do, and everybody handles that differently."

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's workout because of inflammation in his knee, but he was limited. He should be ready for sunday.

Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson - NFL Player of the Week

wildfan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:27:00 GMT

NEW YORK (TICKER) -- Three weeks ago, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson put a vice grip on the NFL Rookie of the Year Award. Now it looks as if he's putting the rushing title in his back pocket.

Peterson highlighted the NFL weekly awards on Wednesday by being tabbed as the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week.

New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss earned the corresponding honor in the AFC.

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison were the respective Defensive Players of the Week of their conferences. The special teams honors were awarded to Washington Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham and San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Peterson rushed for an NFL single-game record 296 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Vikings' 35-17 win over San Diego. Minnesota's first-round draft choice, Peterson carried the ball 30 times and averaged 9.9 yards per carry.

The 22-year-old scored on a one-yard run in the first quarter, a 64-yard rush in the third and a 46-yard burst in the fourth to become the first rookie in NFL history to record two 200-yard rushing games. The 217-pounder cracked the Chicago Bears defense for 224 yards and three touchdowns in Week 6 to earn his first career weekly award.

Peterson, who currently leads the NFL with 1,036 rushing yards and is on pace to pass Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (1,808) for the most rushing yards by a rookie, becomes the first running back to be named Offensive Player of the Week twice during his rookie year since Denver's Mike Anderson accomplished the feat in 2000.

Moss played a key role in helping the Patriots remain the only undefeated team in the NFL. In a matchup of unbeatens, Moss caught nine passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in New England's 24-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The 10-year veteran has posted six 100-yard receiving games to help New England improve to 9-0. Moss, who leads all players with 12 touchdown receptions, has 924 receiving yards, easily leading the NFL in that category. This is Moss' fifth Player of the Week Award, but first since Week 10 in 2001 with the Vikings.

Rogers had a career-high 2.5 sacks and recorded the first interception of his career, which he returned 66 yards for a touchdown in the Lions' 44-7 victory over Denver. In his seventh year from Texas, this is Rogers' second career Player of the Week Award.

Harrison registered a career-high 3.5 sacks, nine tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles as well as a fumble recovery in a 38-7 victory over Baltimore. In his fourth season from Kent State, Harrison helped the Steelers' defense limit the Ravens to 104 total yards on offense. This is the 6-foot, 242-pound Harrison's first Player of the Week Award.

Suisham converted all five of his field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 46-yarder in overtime as the Redskins defeated the New York Jets, 23-20. Suisham's kicks of 46, 40, 22, 40 and 46 yards tied a club record for most in a contest to give him his first career Player of the Week Award.

Cromartie returned a 57-yard missed field goal 109 yards in the Chargers' loss to the Vikings. It was the longest play in NFL history, surpassing the record by a yard done three times before. It was Cromartie's third touchdown in the past two games. The second-year cornerback registered two scores the previous week against Houston, including a 70-yard interception return.

This is Cromartie's first Player of the Week Award.

Recap: Minnesota Vikings 35, San Diego Chargers 17

wildfan — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:23:00 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minutes after Adrian Peterson lost a fourth-quarter fumble at the San Diego 20-yard line, the ball was back in his hands.

He rumbled around right end, paused to set up his blocks, and sprinted 46 yards up the sideline for Minnesota's game-clinching touchdown.

This rookie doesn't make many mistakes. He simply sets a lot of records.

Racing to the NFL's single-game rushing record of 296 yards at the midpoint of his first pro season, Peterson carried the Vikings to a 35-17 victory over the Chargers on Sunday.

He didn't realize the significance of his performance until his benign 3-yard carry took the clock under 60 seconds and sent him past Jamal Lewis' 295-yard performance against Cleveland in 2003 for the best game a running back has ever had in this league.

"Oh, no. I was out playing ball," Peterson said. "I wasn't thinking about the record at all."

There are more for him to ponder.

-- On 30 carries, Peterson topped 200 yards rushing for the second time in one season, a feat no other rookie has accomplished.

-- Peterson scored two of his three touchdowns and gained 253 yards in the second half, helping the Vikings rally from a 14-7 deficit. They trailed at the half after Antonio Cromartie plucked a missed field goal out of the air and returned it 109 yards for a touchdown, the longest play in NFL history.

-- Peterson reached 1,036 yards rushing this season, a pace that would smash Eric Dickerson's rookie record of 1,808 yards set in 1983. Dickerson's all-time record of 2,105 yards in 1984 is also in reach.

"I set my bar high, because I know anything is possible when you continue to work hard," Peterson said.

Minnesota (3-5) pressured Philip Rivers into one of the worst games of his career and made sure LaDainian Tomlinson didn't come close to matching Peterson's performance.

Tomlinson rushed 16 times for 40 yards, and Rivers went 19-for-42 for 197 yards with one interception. He lost one of his three fumbles, two of which were dropped snaps.

"It's not defense or offense. It's all of us," Rivers said. "Obviously we were given plenty of opportunities, but we didn't do enough."

San Diego (4-4) lost a November game for the first time since 2003 and reverted to the shaky play on both sides of the ball that led to a 1-3 start. The defense that ranked seventh in the league against the run was thoroughly beaten.

"I have been in this league too long to use the word embarrassed," coach Norv Turner said.

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson got hurt again, and backup Brooks Bollinger was much better in the second half. That included a 40-yard touchdown pass to Sidney Rice that put the Vikings in front 21-14.

But it's easy to look good handing off to Peterson.

"I felt like I was back at Wisconsin," said Bollinger, who handed off to Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne plenty of times as a freshman in 1999.

After Peterson's fumble, the Chargers recovered with 10 minutes left and trailed only 21-17. Minnesota's defense, which came into the game allowing the most yards passing in the league, forced another three-and-out and San Diego's eighth punt of the afternoon.

Mewelde Moore returned it 42 yards, and Peterson needed only one play to put the game away and again show off his unique blend of power, speed and instinct.

Rivers threw an interception, Chester Taylor followed with a short touchdown run, and the Vikings suddenly led by 18 -- reaching 35 points for the first time in 24 games under coach Brad Childress.

"That's the way I like to play football," Childress said. "I do have a healthy respect for being able to run it and take somebody's will from them."

The Vikings took possession at their 20 with 2:24 remaining in the first half with all three timeouts, but they mismanaged the clock again and let it move under 40 seconds when Jackson ran from the pocket. He was knocked out of the game with an apparent neck injury during the tackle.

Bollinger came in and moved them close enough for Ryan Longwell to try a 57-yard field goal. It was on line, but just short -- leaving Cromartie room to leap and catch the ball without stepping out.

Cromartie ran it back all the way, without being touched, and in the process gained 18 more yards than his team did on offense in the entire half. Childress was so mad he chucked his headset off, but that was a short rant.

Rivers, on the other hand, spent most of the game complaining to the officials. The Chargers continually cost themselves field position with ill-timed penalties and made plenty of mistakes on both sides of the ball.

"That's part of the game," Rivers said, downplaying his emotions. "I was frustrated the way we were playing. We just didn't make enough plays to win, and that's what every game is."

Peterson's 315 total yards were more than nine of the 17 other teams who played in the same time slot Sunday: Kansas City (234), San Diego (229), Denver (303), San Francisco (251), Atlanta (286), Arizona (195), Cincinnati (299), Carolina (199) and Tennessee (236). ... Tomlinson, in just his seventh NFL season, passed Jim Brown for fourth place on the NFL's list for rushing touchdowns with 107. Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen and Walter Payton are the top three.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com

Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 23, Minnesota Vikings 16

wildfan — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:20:00 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Donovan McNabb strolled around the Philadelphia locker room with a thin white sleeve on his right leg.

After a vintage performance Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, that's about the only sign left of a major knee injury that threatened his career nearly 11 months ago.

McNabb threw for 333 yards and a touchdown and showed plenty of the mobility he appeared to have lost post-surgery to lead the Eagles to a 23-16 victory.

"I definitely feel like the burst is coming back," said McNabb, who displayed nimble feet and even ran a quarterback draw in the second half. "That gives me the opportunity to do a lot of different things that I'm used to."

The five-time Pro Bowler looked more like the guy who led the Eagles to the Super Bowl three years ago than the tentative veteran who had been hearing calls from those notoriously restless Philly fans to start the Kevin Kolb era.

"His demise, I think, is much over-exaggerated," said Vikings coach Brad Childress, who spent seven years with McNabb in Philadelphia as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator under his longtime friend, Andy Reid.

McNabb took advantage of the league's worst pass defense, completing 23 of 36 passes and moving around in the pocket like he never had surgery to get his Eagles (3-4) back on track.

Adrian Peterson was bottled up for most of the day by Philadelphia's sure-tackling, hard-charging defense, rushing for 70 yards on 20 carries.

Without their running back breaking long touchdown runs and down to their No. 3 quarterback, the Vikings (2-5) didn't have enough to challenge a rejuvenated McNabb.

"It's a little of everything," said Vikings quarterback Brooks Bollinger, who replaced the injured Kelly Holcomb. "And we just need to make some plays."

Reggie Brown caught a career-high eight passes for 105 yards and Brian Westbrook had 92 total yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles, who entered the game having all kinds of problems in the red zone. They scored just six TDs in their first 20 trips inside the 20-yard line this season.

Things went much smoother in the first half Sunday.

McNabb threw a 6-yard shovel pass to Westbrook for the Eagles' first touchdown in the second quarter, and Westbrook went over the top on a 1-yard run later in the period to give Philadelphia a 17-7 lead.

Once the Vikings cut the lead to 20-16 on a 48-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell in the fourth quarter, McNabb went back to work.

He completed 4 of 7 passes for 62 yards, including a flea-flicker to Brown and a 31-yarder to Kevin Curtis, to set up David Akers' third field goal.

"I've just been feeling a change ever since the bye week," McNabb said.

The Vikings have had problems at quarterback all year, and starter Tarvaris Jackson missed the game with a broken index finger on his throwing hand.

Holcomb got the start, but struggled until he was knocked out of the game with a neck injury in the third quarter.

Brooks Bollinger, who lost the starting job to Jackson in training camp and was demoted again after the Vikings traded for Holcomb in the final week of the preseason, looked capable in his first action this year.

"I thought he did OK in a tough situation," Childress said. "That guy gets limited reps in practice during the week. ... I just wish we could have supported him better."

Bollinger completed 7 of 10 passes for 94 yards in just under two quarters, but couldn't get the Vikings into the end zone, a familiar problem during Childress' 1 1/2 years on the job.

Childress and Reid have known each other for more than 20 years and teamed to mold McNabb into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL during their seven years together in Philadelphia.

Things haven't gone nearly as well for him in Minnesota, where the Vikings offense has become a one-man show.

Childress took plenty of heat for not getting the ball to Peterson more in last week's loss at Dallas. So Peterson was inserted into the starting lineup and carried the ball 11 times in the first half.

"We just thought we needed to get the touches to him and at least increase that load," Childress said.

Childress said Holcomb's injury is "similar to whiplash" and he will be evaluated on Monday, as will WR Bobby Wade (hyperextended knee) and RT Ryan Cook (sprained left shoulder). ... WR Greg Lewis (shoulder, ribs) was the only Eagle banged up. ... TE Visanthe Shiancoe's 9-yard score was his first TD reception as a Viking.