Vikings Win Tiebreaker, End Losing Streak to Green Bay

In a game oozing with rivalry and tension, the Vikings welcomed the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome and sent them packing in a 28-27 victory, shortly after the Bears lost to the undefeated Titans. The Vikings are now tied for first place in the NFC North at 5-4.

While Bernard Berrian had zero catches on the day, Adrian Peterson rushed for 192 yards on 30 carries and one TD. This brings him in the lead over Washington's Clinton Portis with 1,015 yards this season.

Gus Frerotte completed two TD passes during the game, along with three interceptions -- one of which was returned for a touchdown by Nick Collins. With Frerotte completing 15 of 28 passes for 151 yards and Aaron Rodgers going 15/26 for 142 yards, the game came down to defense and the run.

In their first offensive drive of the game, the Vikings shot first with a three yard TD pass to Sidney Rice, his only catch of the game. The next two drives went scoreless after Rodgers found himself sacked two plays in a row -- first by Napoleon Harris and immediately after by Brian Robison. Packers followed up shortly after when Charles Woodson picked off a pass intended for Bobby Wade, taking it downfield nine yards.

Green Bay, from Minnesota's 48 yard line, lead a 3:15 drive to even the score after a Ryan Grant TD of one yard.

After a six minute drive to bring the game into the 2nd quarter, Ryan Longwell clears a 54-yard field goal to bring the lead to 10-7.

To capitalize on their lead, Kevin Williams makes Rodgers fumble at the two yard line into the end zone. Rodgers picks up the ball and throws it away. Intentional grounding call spotted in the end zone for a safety giving the Viking s a 12 to 7 lead.

00:52 until the half, Rodgers is sacked by Jared Allen for a loss of nine yard and another safety, bringing the game to 14-7. Allen came into the game wearing a harness on his injured right shoulder, finishing the game with two tackles and one sack.

Packers responded with an interception by Tramon Williams with only 22 seconds left in the first half. After a short four-play drive, Packers kicker Mason Crosby brings the score to 14-10 Vikings at the half.

With less than five minutes ticked off the clock in the third quarter, Frerotte completes a short left pass to Chester Taylor for 47 yards and a touchdown, the longest reception of the game. Taylor finished the game with four receptions for 84 yards (the leading receiver of the game) and one TD. He also made ten rushing attempts for a total of 29 yards.

Vikings up 21 to 10 with 7:12 left in the third, Longwell misses wide right on a 47-yard attempt. It doesn't stop there. After a failed drive, the Packers punt away to Minnesota. On the first play of the drive, Frerotte misses his target, Visanthe Shiancoe, and hits free safety Nick Collins who returns it for a 59-yard touchdown, shortening the Vikings lead to 21 t0 17.

Next drive, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has his fourth punt returned for a touchdown this year by Will Blackmon, a 65-yard return to bring the Packers into the lead at 24 to 21.

On a critical 4th and 1 situation, Adrian Peterson fumbled the ball and it's recovered by Nafahu Tahi for no gain, giving possession to Green Bay. Crosby follows it up after four plays with a 40-yard field goal to increase the Packers lead.

Vikings take the ball on their own 31 with less than six minutes left in regulation. Peterson cuts left for a gain of four to bring up 2nd down and six. Peterson takes the handoff again, this time improving five yards to the Vikings 40. On 3rd and 1, Frerotte takes the snap from Matt Birk and passes to Bobby Wade for a gain of five at their own 45 for the first down. Two plays later, Frerotte makes a short pass up the center to Peterson for a gain of 16 yards and a first down.

Next play, from Green Bay's 37 yard line, Peterson takes another pass for a gain of 8 yards. With only 2:30 left in the game, Frerotte took the snap and handed off to #28. Peterson fought his defender along the sideline for a 29-yard stretch across the goal line. While reaching across the goal line for the score, the ball popped out and rolled out of the end zone. Packers coach Mike McCarthy challenged the play, but the ruling was upheld, giving the Vikings a one-point lead.

With 00:31 left in the game at Minnesota's 34 yard line, McCarthy calls out the kicking team. Crosby's 52-yard attempt is wide right, giving the Vikings their first victory against Green Bay in the last six clashes.

Next up: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.