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Vikings come alive, end Eagles' win streak

Dec 16, 2013 - 3:06 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Minnesota was without running backs Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, but Matt Asiata ran for three touchdowns in the Vikings' 48-30 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Matt Cassel completed 26-of-35 passes for 382 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for the Vikings (4-9-1), who put the brakes on Philadelphia's five-game winning streak.

Peterson (foot) and Gerhart (hamstring) were inactive for Minnesota, which bounced back from a 29-26 loss to the Ravens last week. Greg Jennings hauled in 11 Cassel passes for 163 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings scored a season-high 48 points against an Eagles team that allowed more than 21 points for the first time in 10 games.

Nick Foles connected on 30-of-48 passes for 428 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for the Eagles (8-6), who still lead the Cowboys by a game as Dallas fell to Green Bay on Sunday.

LeSean McCoy carried the ball eight times for 38 yards and caught five passes for 68 yards. The star running back set an Eagles franchise record for most rushing yards in a game with 217 in last week's wild win over the Lions in the snow.

DeSean Jackson hauled in 10 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown for Philadelphia, which lost for the first time since Oct. 27.

"We need to stick together. It's what we did when we were 3-5. It's what we need to do now to finish this off the right way," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said.

The Eagles used two quick scores late in the third quarter to get within 27-22.

Philadelphia refused to kick the ball to Cordarrelle Patterson all game, and the Vikings started near midfield with 15 seconds remaining in the third. Chase Ford caught a 37-yard pass on third down to the drive going. Asiata capped the quick series with a 1-yard TD run.

Following two three-and-outs from the Eagles, the Vikings started from the Philadelphia 36-yard line with 7:55 to play. Asiata's 10-yard run combined with an unnecessary roughness penalty moved the ball to the 13. Patterson capped another short drive with a 5-yard touchdown catch, making it 41-22.

Jason Avant's 16-yard TD catch and Asiata's 5-yard score accounted for the final margin.

Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a 55-yard field goal on the opening possession of the game.

After the Eagles went three-and-out, Minnesota needed just four plays to find the end zone. Jarius Wright caught a 26-yard pass before Jennings' 57-yard score.

On the ensuing Philadelphia possession, Foles scrambled for 21 yards before McCoy turned a screen pass into 24 yards. The drive stalled when Jared Allen sacked Foles on 3rd-and-4. Alex Henery made a 35-yard field goal to cut the gap to 7-3.

The Vikings continued to move the ball on offense and got down to the Philadelphia 3-yard line early in the second stanza. Minnesota, though, had to settle for a 21-yard Walsh field goal.

The Eagles almost responded with a touchdown. Jackson took a double reverse 18 yards for a score, but Foles was called for a low block on the play. Instead of a touchdown, Philadelphia got a 51-yard field goal from Henery.

Minnesota came right back with an impressive 16-play, 75-yard drive. Asiata, Cassel and Patterson picked up some key third downs with their legs. The ball was placed on the 1-yard line following a defensive pass interference penalty on Bradley Fletcher. Asiata rumbled into the end zone to make it 17-6 with 1:06 left.

Henery made a 33-yard field goal at the end of the half.

After the Eagles went three-and-out to start the second half, Wright caught a 42-yard pass along the right sideline. Cassel capped the quick four-play series with a 6-yard TD run.

The Vikings had great field position after Philadelphia went for it on 4th- and-1 from its own 24. McCoy was stopped for no gain and Minnesota took over on downs. Walsh made a 38-yard field goal to make it 27-9 with 4:42 left in the third frame.

But the Eagles made things interesting with two quick scores. Jackson caught a 30-yard TD pass, Mychal Kendricks picked off Cassel and Zach Ertz followed with a gorgeous one-handed touchdown catch to cut the gap to 27-22.

Game Notes

McCoy established a new career-high in rushing yards with 1,343, surpassing his total of 1,309 set in 2011 ... Minnesota was also without cornerbacks Chris Cook (knee) and Xavier Rhodes (ankle), tight end John Carlson (concussion) and guard Brandon Fusco (knee) ... The Eagles had nine penalties for 94 yards ... Wright caught four passes for 95 yards.