It looked grim for a while, but the Vikings overcame some sloppy play to beat the Packers at home, 28-27. Adrian Peterson scored on a 29-yard run to give Minnesota the lead.
Mason Crosby's 52-yard field goal went wide right, giving the Vikes the win. But it seemed almost like three games.
The Vikings won the first game, taking a 21-10 lead that included two safeties.
The Packers won the second, scoring on an interception return and a punt return to take the lead 24-21. Then, after coach Brad Childress went for it on fourth and one and didn't make it at the Minnesota 40, the Packers scored a field goal.
The third and final (and shortest) game was the Vikings' final drive that was almost all Peterson. He carried the ball and caught two passes. Overall Peterson gained 192 yards rushing and 33 yards receiving. He had only one blemish, a fumble on the fourth and down play.
The Vikings defense was great all day long. They beat up Aaron Rodgers and gave up very little offense. The Vikings had four sacks and gave up only 184 yards in total offense. They got the two sacks, and had a great series when the Packers started on their 40, needing only a field goal. Jared Allen had Rodgers afraid -- you could see it in his eyes at the end. He just didn't have much time to throw.
Gus Frerotte was awful, throwing three interceptions (and two touchdowns). One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown. He didn't connect with top deep threat Bernard Berrian even once.
The special teams were horrible again, giving up a TD and plenty of return yards. What does it take the special teams coach fired? He's the new Matt Millen of the NFL. He's horrible but keeps his job.
But the bottom line is the Vikes won and are tied with the Bears for the NFC North lead at 5-4. They won despite some awful quarterbacking and wretched special-teams play. They'll need to put it together to beat good teams, but a win is a win, however tainted or ugly.
The Vikes' defense was great. Don't judge them by points scored -- the D allowed nine yards in the third quarter, but the Packers scored two touchdowns.
Notes: You might remember the Vikings had a quarterback named Tyler Thigpen a while back. They tried to pass him on waivers to put him on the taxi squad, but Kansas City picked him up. At halftime of the Chiefs-Chargers game in San Diego, he has two touchdowns, no interceptions and a great QB rating.... I see Vikings bloggers say how awful the Vikings would be without Peterson. Hello. Chester Taylor is a great back in his own right. I worry about what will happen when the Vikings will be without Pat and Kevin Williams, if indeed that happens. The Vikings are surviving because of their defense and Peterson. They have a capable backup for Peterson. I don't know about the second-stringers on the defensive line...
