Win Over Raiders Gives Vikings Top Spot In NFC North
Carl Knowles
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Cordarrelle Patterson’s 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 1:52 seconds to play in the first half gave the Vikings a 20-14 advantage allowing the Vikings to reclaim the lead and the momentum. Adrian Peterson rushed for 203 yards on 26 carries and Terence Newman’s interception of a Derek Carr pass in the end zone with just over two minutes to play in the game helped the Vikings to a 30-14 road victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Terence Newman had two interceptions on the day as the Vikings held the Raiders’ high-octane offense in check limiting them to 287 net yards passing with 2 touchdowns. Captain Munnerlyn played a good game in the slot collecting 8 combined tackles as the secondary held Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to 9 total receptions for 134 yards and no touchdowns.
Linval Joseph put together another good performance with 8 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.
The Vikings got off to a fast start marching the opening possession 80 yards on 8 plays as Teddy Bridgewater hit Rhett Ellison on an 11-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead. Blair Walsh kicked a 20 yard field goal late in the first quarter as the Vikings extended the lead to 10-0.
The Raiders answered with the next 14 points on a 10-yard touchdown pass to TE Clive Walford and a 34-yard touchdown strike to WR Andre Holmes. Patterson then stole the show with his electric return down the left side line for the go-ahead and eventual game winning score late in the first half.
In the second half, the Vikings defense forced three punts and the big Newman interception as Minnesota controlled the clock and the game behind a stellar power running attack led by Peterson.
The Vikings are 7-2 on the season and alone atop the NFC North standings thanks to a Detroit Lions 18-16 win over the stumbling 6-3 Green Bay Packers.