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Late score by Peterson lifts Vikings over Packers

Nov 9, 2008 - 11:42 PM By Jon Avise PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- They call Adrian Peterson "All Day," and on Sunday he saved the day for the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson rushed for 192 yards on 30 carries, including a 29-yard touchdown with 2:22 remaining, as the Vikings rallied for a 28-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers after squandering an 11-point lead.

Green Bay still had a chance to win, but Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal wide right with 26 seconds remaining.

"Miss," Peterson said he thought as he knelt on the sideline awaiting Crosby's kick.

"It's great to win a game like that and move on," said Minnesota coach Brad Childress, who had been 0-5 against the Vikings' biggest rival.

One of Childress' losses to Green Bay was a 24-19 defeat earlier this season in Aaron Rodgers' first career start as the Packers' quarterback.

Peterson's touchdown capped a seven-play, 69-yard drive and negated Green Bay's comeback in which the Packers scored touchdowns on long interception and punt returns.

"When the game is on the line, I want the ball," said Peterson, who became the first player in Minnesota history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.

The Vikings (5-4) overcame three interceptions by Gus Frerotte to move into a first-place tie with the Chicago Bears in the NFC North.

The Vikings appeared to be in control after Gus Frerotte's 47-yard TD pass to running back Chester Taylor made it 21-10 with 10 1/2 minutes left in the third period.

Taylor caught a pass near the sideline, cut inside around linebacker Desmond Bishop and raced to the end zone, thrilling the crowd at the Metrodome.

But the Vikings unraveled in a span of just over two minutes as the 11-point lead quickly turned into a three-point deficit.

Packers safety Nick Collins returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown with 5:21 remaining. After Green Bay forced a three-and-out, Will Blackmon took back a punt 69 yards to put the Packers ahead, 24-21, with 3:09 remaining in the third.

"It was a tough day to throw three interceptions and put the team behind the eight-ball," Frerotte said. "If I do my part, the score's a lot better."

Green Bay (4-5) extended its lead to 27-21 on Crosby's 40-yard field goal with 5:56 left in the contest.

However, Frerotte engineered the winning drive - getting the ball into the hands of Peterson, who was involved in all but one of the seven plays.

Before his touchdown, Peterson caught passes of 16 and 8 yards on the two previous plays. He finished with three receptions for 33 yards.

"I can't compare him to anyone," Frerotte said of Peterson. "He's incredible. The guy is a great player and we sure put it on his back today."

The Packers, who have had trouble stopping the run all season, surrendered 220 yards on the ground.

Frerotte completed only 15-of-28 passes for 151 yards, though he did throw a 3-yard TD pass to Sidney Rice in the first quarter to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead.

Minnesota's defense took over in the second quarter, forcing Rodgers into a pair of safeties - the first on intentional grounding and the second when he was sacked in the end zone.

The Vikings led at halftime, 14-10.

Rodgers finished 15-of-46 for just 142 yards, while Ryan Grant was held to 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Minnesota outgained Green Bay by nearly a two-to-one margin and a 13-minute edge in time of possession.