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Vikings look to move over .500

Dec 9, 2007 - 12:36 PM Minnesota (6-6) at San Francisco (3-9) 4:05 pm EST --------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- With rookie running back Adrian Peterson back in the lineup, the Minnesota Vikings have to feel good about their playoff chances.

The suddenly hot Vikings seek their fourth straight victory on Sunday when they visit the San Francisco 49ers.

After missing two games with a knee injury, Peterson returned last week and rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns in less than three quarters in Minnesota's 42-10 rout of the Detroit Lions.

Despite missing the two games, Peterson still leads the NFL in rushing with 1,197 yards. He has more than a 100-yard lead over Pittsburgh's Willie Parker.

Last week's victory lifted the Vikings back to the .500 mark and pulled them into a tie with the Arizona Cardinals and Lions in the battle for the NFC's second wild card.

"That doesn't make any difference to me," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. "We're under the radar as far as I am concerned at 6-6 and playing San Francisco, so I'm not getting into the whole thing. You count them up at the end."

Still, the Vikings' have surpassed 40 points in their last two games, and appear to have a favorable closing schedule.

Minnesota finishes with home games against Chicago and Washington and a road contest at Denver - three teams who have 5-7 records.

The Vikings have not lost since a 34-0 defeat at Green Bay on November 11. In the last three weeks, they have outscored their opponents, 112-49.

During the winning streak, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has shown marked improvement. Last week, he completed 18-of-24 passes for a career-high 204 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings scored on their first six possessions.

After posting an overtime win at Arizona two weeks ago, the 49ers returned to their losing ways last week with a 31-14 defeat at Carolina.

Trent Dilfer struggled through a miserable afternoon, matching a career high with four interceptions and getting sacked seven times.

The 49ers have not ruled out the possibility of starter Alex Smith returning at some point this season. Smith has been sidelined since November 12 with a shoulder separation.

Dilfer has started San Francisco's last three games.