The Minnesota Vikings entered Soldier Field yesterday, with an 0-2 mark against division rivals, and not winning there since October 15, 2000, to pull off a last second field goal for the 34-31 win against the Chicago Bears.The Vikings offense showed some signs of life yesterday, for the first time all year, scoring all 34 points, and only counting on their defense to do their job and hold the Bears offense down. Minnesota's defense did just that, as they only held Chicago's running game to 83 yards on 24 carries, for an average of 3.5 yards per carry. The passing game is what kept the Bears in the game, as Brian Griese threw for 369 yards, had three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bears big players were Devin Hester, who had an 89 yard punt return for a touchdown, and a pass reception of 81 yards for another touchdown. Bernard Berrian, had a touchdown reception for 39 yards, and Muhsin Muhammad had a 31 yard touchdown reception. Hester's two touchdowns were the longest of the day, as he scored the Bears first and last points of the game.
The Vikings offense came to life a little bit yesterday with a couple long touchdowns themselves. Surprisingly enough, Troy Williamson, who has thus far been a big disappointment for the Vikings, scored the teams first points with a 60 yards touchdown reception from Tarvaris Jackson. The Vikings also had a 67 yard rushing touchdown from rookie stand out Adrian Peterson, as well as rushing touchdowns from 73 and 35 yards respectively. A Ryan Longwell 55 yard field goal with no time on the clock, sealed the deal for the Vikings, giving them their second win of the season.
The biggest play maker for the Vikings was obviously Adrian Peterson. Peterson had 224 yards rushing on 20 carries, three touchdowns, and one reception for 9 yards. Peterson had touchdown carries for 60, 73 and 35 yards respectively, and had 4 kick off returns for 34 yards. The career day for Peterson thankfully ended up with a narrow Viking victory. Peterson was also backed up with a nice game from Tarvaris Jackson, Chester Taylor, and yes, even Troy Williamson.
Troy Williamson had 2 receptions for 69 yards , and a nice catch for a 60 yard touchdown. Chester Taylor had 22 rushes for 83 yards, taking some of the load off of Adrian Peterson, from all his other duties. Then Tarvaris Jackson had a better day yesterday, then he did against the Detroit Lions, who feasted off Jackson in week two of the season. In week two, Jackson left the game late in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. At that time, he had 17 off 33 passes complete, no touchdowns, and four interceptions. Yesterday, Jackson's pass completion ratio was less than 50%, completing 9 of 23 passes, but threw a 60 yard touchdown pass to Troy Williamson, and had no interceptions. The big turn around was obviously the no turnovers. Had Jackson threw four interceptions yesterday, it would have been an very long day for the Vikings and their fans.
Other players participating in yesterday's game was Bobby Wade, who had 3 receptions for 30 yards, Robert Ferguson, who had 2 receptions for 15 yards, and Sydney Rice who made 1 reception for 13 yards. Place kicker Ryan Longwell was perfect on the day, going 4 for 4 in extra points, and 2 for 2 in field goals. Longwell made field goals of 48 and 55 yards respectively. Longwell's 55 yard field goal was the game winner, the 12th of his career.
The Vikings now travel to Dallas to take on the dominant Cowboys. Minnesota and Dallas did meet in the preseason at the Metrodome, and it was the Vikings who prevailed. Minnesota currently holds a 12-10 series lead over the Cowboys, and has won the past five meetings between the two teams. The Dallas offense has averaged over 30 points per game, has the number two rated offense in the NFL. The Vikings have the number two ranked rushing defense, and the 32nd ranked passing defense, for a ranking of 25th overall.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!
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