Every time you think the Vikings are going to tank, they win.

Every time you think they're going to make a run, they lose.

This Sunday was another do-or-die win, and the team managed a close win over Houston, making Sage Rosenfels look like Peyton Manning in the process.

Once again you can cite some really good things and some awful ones.

Adrian Peterson gained 139 yards, Gus Frerotte threw three touchdown passes and the defense got two interceptions, a fumble recovery and five sacks.

But the D also gave up more than 400 yards, almost giving up a two-touchdown lead to an inferior opponent.

Yes, Houston had a three-game winning streak, but the teams they beat were Miami, Detroit and Cincinnati, all at home.

So, with the win, the Vikings are 4-4, a game behind the Bears -- who barely beat the Lions -- and tied with the Packers, who lost to the Titans.

Continue reading "Vikes eke out win against Texans, 28-21"

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.

Continue reading "Vikes ride Peterson to victory over Packers"

This was going to be a tough game, and most people forecast that the Bucs would win. The Vikings weren't awful, losing to a tough Tampa Bay team that's 7-3 overall and 5-0 at home.

But the trends are troubling. The Vikings lost a lead -- again. They were up 13-6 at halftime and lost 19-13. They lost the turnover battle, fumbling twice while getting only one turnover.

The second fumble occurred when the Vikings were about to score and tie the game. Ouch.

And yet another quarterback picked apart the Vikes' pass defense. Jeff Garcia went 23 for 30 for 255 yards with no TDs and no interceptions. He was sacked only once.

This time Adrian Peterson wasn't enough. He gained 85 yards, almost half of the team's measly total of 210 yards.

The Bucs were better in the second half. The Vikings offense did nothing, and the Bucs tied on the opening drive after the half. They were the better team, especially after the break.

Continue reading "Vikes can't buck Bucs' home-winning trend"

I'm sure some Vikings players could empathize with the Jaguars on Sunday. They've played poorly and gift-wrapped a game to other teams.

It's not that the Vikings did that much. Gus Frerotte had a poor game. Minnesota rushed for only 122 yards, which isn't that much.

But Jacksonville made mistake after mistake. They had three fumbles and tossed two interceptions.  Gave up four sacks. Committed eight penalties.

The turnovers were decisive. The Vikings were up 14-0 early, with a fumble on a botched snap the first screwup. Napoleon Harris returned the fumble for a TD.

The Vikings offense didn't do much but it didn't have to. The defense was stifling and the Jaguars got into the holiday spirit a month before Christmas.

This was very close to a must-win for the Vikings. Chicago won, and Green Bay is favored to win the division after a lopside win over the Bears last week.

Continue reading "Vikes accept gifts from Jags, win 30-12"

It was the epitome of winning ugly.

Minnesota barely gained 200 yards. Adrian Peterson had just 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries -- modest numbers for him.

But the Vikes played a Jaguars team that was in the holiday spirit. They gave up four sacks, committed eight penalties.

The real key was all the turnovers -- five of them. It's a great relief for Vikings fans to finally win the turnover battle. In some losses they've given the ball up over and over.

The Vikings recovered three fumbles -- returning one for a touchdown -- and picked off two errant Jags passes. That was really the ballgame.

One of the fumbles was the first score of the game. The Vikes were ahead 14-0 with only two minutes gone.

But Jacksonvill moved the ball well through the air -- they did nothing on the ground -- and closed to within 17-10 at halftime. It was time for Vikings fans to worry -- the team had regularly given up leads, such as last week vs. the Buccaneers.

Continue reading "Vikes beat Jags, 30-12"