Vikings win five in a row

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: Adrian Peterson rushed for two touchdowns and 78 yards in Minnesota's 20-13 win over Chicago as the Vikings won their fifth straight game Monday.

Peterson scampered into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown as Minnesota rallied from a 10-point deficit. Ryan Longwell added field goals of 42 and 48 yards.

The win kept the Vikings (8-6) one game ahead of the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins for the final wild card spot in their conference.

Having never led in the game, the Vikings put together an 11-play, 65-yard drive in the fourth quarter that led to Peterson's 12th rushing touchdown of the season from eight yards out.

Peterson, who shredded the Bears for three touchdowns and 224 yards in their earlier meeting this season, finished with 78 yards rushing - 56 of those coming in the second half.

Backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger ran for the two-point conversion to give the Vikings a 20-13 lead with 10:56 to play.

Chicago had a final chance to pull even but Kyle Orton's pass was intercepted by safety Darren Sharper in the end zone.

Making his first start since 2005, Orton completed 22-of-38 passes for 184 yards and an interception.

Chicago used four turnovers to take a 13-3 first-half lead, thanks to interceptions by Brian Urlacher and Nathan Vasher.

Urlacher's first-quarter interception led to a 29-yard Robbie Gould field goal to open the scoring. Urlacher also had a fumble recovery and two sacks.

Starting Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completed 18-of-29 passes for 249 yards and three interceptions before leaving the game with a leg cramp one play before Peterson's decisive score.

AFP

(China Daily 12/19/2007 page24)