Despite not having their top two running backs and both starting cornerbacks, Minnesota’s backups got it done at the Metrodome Sunday, thrashing Philadelphia 48-30.
Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart both missed the contest as AP couldn’t go with a mid-foot sprain suffered against Baltimore, and Gerhart sat with a hamstring injury.
Minnesota’s run game turned to Matt Asiata, and while his 1.7 yards per carry won’t inspire memories of Peterson, he did find the endzone three times while amassing a whopping 30 carries.
Combine the work on the ground with Matt Cassel’s brilliance throughout, throwing for 382 yards and two touchdowns, and you have the Vikings most impressive scoring day of the year.
Defensively, starting corners Chris Cook and Xavier Rhodes both had to sit with injury, and it showed in the Vikings secondary at times, as they gave up 428 yards through the air to Nick Foles and Co.
But Minnesota largely contained the league’s leading rusher, LeSean McCoy, and despite a solid passing game, Philadelphia couldn’t keep up with an explosive Vikings offense.
The outcome of the game seemed in doubt late in the third quarter, as Philadelphia scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the quarter after falling behind 27-9.
Minnesota would not let that set them back however, answering with back-to-back scores of their own in the fourth-quarter to seal the victory.
The Vikings standout performance aside from Cassel and Asiata’s three scores came from Greg Jennings, setting a career-high with 11 receptions and racking up 163 yards, the second-most of his career.
Philadelphia was led by Desean Jackson, who had a big day receiving too, catching 10 balls for 195 yards and a score.
Foles final statline was 30-of-48 through the air for 428 yards and three touchdowns, while McCoy was held out of the endzone the entire day and rushed for just 38 yards, second-best on his team to Foles 41 on the ground.
The Eagles take a hit in their bid to make the playoffs, dropping to 8-6 on the year, while the Vikings improve to 4-9-1 on the season.
Minnesota has one more game in the Metrodome in two weeks, but first go on the road to face Cincinnati next Sunday, a noon kickoff.
