Minnesota Wins In a Nail-Biter; Have They Silenced The Critics?

Coming in to Sunday's game I figured the Vikings would be hungry for a win and come out firing on all cylinders. Out of the gates Minnesota scored first with a touchdown reception by Sidney Rice. Green Bay a few minutes later struck back with a rushing touchdown by star running back Ryan Grant.

Shortly in to the second quarter Ryan Longwell booted a 54-yard field goal to up the score to 10-7. Thirty seconds later in the game Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for an intentional grounding penalty while he was in the end-zone.

A miraculous thing happened at the end of the second quarter, Jared Allen sacked Aaron Rodgers in the end-zone. Minnesota on the day had two safeties. Green Bay with 44 seconds left marched down the field into field goal range where Mason Crosby drained a 47 yarder.

The second half was one to remember for a long time. Chester Taylor caught a pass and ran it all the way for a 47-yard touchdown to put the Vikings up 21 to 10. Game over? Not even close! Gus Frerotte threw one of his three interceptions to Nick Collins who ran the ball all the way for a Packers touchdown.

After a 3-and-out for the Vikings, Punter Chris Kluwe punted a line-drive to return specialist Will Blackmon who returned the punt 65 yards for another Packers touchdown. Green Bay now has the lead 24-21. Will Minnesota blow another win? In the middle of the fourth quarter Green Bay extended it's lead to 27-21 after a Mason Crosby field goal.

A little under six minutes to go—Minnesota has the ball. The Vikings begin to charge down the field. Adrian Peterson was handed the ball hoping for a touchdown to put the Vikings up by one point. Adrian bounced to the outside where there were no Packers in sight. Adrian was hit at the two and he reached the ball over the end-zone for a touchdown!

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was furious with the call. Green Bay instantly challenged the call saying that Adrian's knee was down at the one. After further review the call was upheld as a touchdown.

Green Bay with over two minutes to go was ready for a Brett Favre like drive. Green Bay raced down the field to the Minnesota 35-yard line where Mason Crosby had a chance to win the game. The kick was long enough but hit the goal-post—no good!

With a big division win has Minnesota silenced all of their recent critics? Adrian Peterson sure showed he is clutch and one the best running backs in the league with his 192 rushing yards. After every win I've heard "Minnesota got lucky!" Playing good is not luck. A win is a win no matter how you look at it.

Minnesota is now tied for first with the Chicago Bears who lost Sunday to the Tennessee Titans.

In conclusion I would like to say that the Vikings are a very solid football team. Perhaps they are winning games by a very small margin but even if it's by one point every single time, the record books still show wins under those games. Care to disagree, please do.