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Vikings face Raiders without RB Peterson

Nov 18, 2007 - 11:27 AM Oakland (2-7) at Minnesota (3-6) 1:00 pm ESTMINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- For most of the season, the MinnesotaVikings have struggled with their passing game. Now, they willtry to win a game without their best offensive weapon.The Vikings will be without rookie running back Adrian Petersonon Sunday, when they host the Oakland Raiders.The NFL's leading rusher, Peterson suffered a torn right lateralcollateral ligament in last week's 34-0 loss to the Green BayPackers and will be sidelined indefinitely.One week after rushing for an NFL-record 286 yards in a 35-17win over the San Diego Chargers, Peterson was limited to just 45yards on 11 carries against the Packers.The seventh overall selection in this year's draft, Peterson has1,081 yards and eight touchdowns - also a league best - in ninegames this season for the Vikings.The good news for Minnesota is that the injury will not requiresurgery, but the Vikings will have to find a way to generatesome offense without Peterson.Minnesota is coming off its worst regular-season defeat since a51-7 loss to San Francisco in 1984. They were shut out for thefirst time in the regular season since 1991, ending the longestactive streak of consecutive scoring at 260 games.Peterson's absence likely means more carries for Chester Taylor,who has only carried 61 times for 304 yards this season.Taylor's best game came in a 34-31 Week Six victory at Chicago,when he rushed 22 times for 83 yards.Minnesota ranks 31st in passing, averaging just 152.6 yards pergame through the air. The Vikings generated little offense lastweek, when Brooks Bollinger started in place of TarvarisJackson, who was sidelined with a concussion.Childress has not indicated who will start this weekend againstthe Raiders, who have problems of their own.After beating Cleveland and Miami to reach 2-2, Oakland hasreverted to recent form by losing five straight games. Duringthe losing streak, the Raiders have scored only 56 points.Their recent dismal effort came last week, when Rex Grossmanreplaced an injured Brian Griese and rallied the Chicago Bearsto a 17-6 victory over the Raiders.Oakland was in position to end its losing streak, but Grossmanthrew a 59-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian with3:11 to play. Cedric Benson tacked on an insurance touchdownwith a 3-yard run with 1:39 remaining.Oakland finished with a season-low 193 yards as its offenseconsisted of two field goals by Sebastian Janikowski. During astretch that ended after Benson's clinching touchdown, Oaklandquarterback Josh McCown completed 1-for-13 passes.