MINNEAPOLIS — Christian Ponder threw two touchdown passes — one to Jarius Wright, the other to Kyle Rudolph — to lead the Vikings to a 34-24 win over Detroit Sunday at Mall of America Field, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson also had another monster game, as he ran for 171 yards — including a 61-yard, back-breaking fourth-quarter touchdown run.
To see game highlights, via Vikings.com, CLICK HERE.
“He seems to be getting stronger as the season goes on, which is what we all hoped for” coach Leslie Frazier said of Peterson.
To see Frazier’s postgame comments in their entirety, via Vikings.com, CLICK HERE.
To hear from Vikings Jared Allen, Jarius Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Jerome Simpson and Matt Kalil, via www.gamedaygold.com, CLICK HERE.
Ponder, who passed for just 63 yards in a loss to Seattle last week, almost compiled that total in just one play when he hit Wright for a 54-yard catch on the Vikings first series. Wright, filling in for the injured Percy Harvin, finished off the drive by catching a 3-yard TD pass from Ponder to give the Vikings an early 7-0 lead.
“He stepped up big,” Ponder said of Wright’s effort. “It was important for us to end that losing streak. We played like we were supposed to.”
One series later, Chad Greenway intercepted Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, setting up a 48-yard Blair Walsh field goal — Walsh’s first of four for the day.
The Lions got on the board in the second quarter with a 41-yard Jason Hanson field goal, but Detroit played from behind the entire game. Stafford threw touchdown passes to Brandon Pettigrew, Titus Young and Calvin Johnson (who had 207 receiving yards on the day), but it wasn’t enough.
As for Peterson, it was his fourth consecutive game of at least 100 rushing yards. He also eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground, and currently leads the NFL with 1,128 rushing yards.
“I have to give credit to the offensive line.” Peterson said after the game. “They kept on pounding.”
To see Peterson’s postgame comments in their entirety, CLICK HERE.
With the win, Minnesota, now 6-4, moves to within a half-game of second-place Green Bay in the NFC North. The Packers, 6-3, had a bye this weekend.
Next week, the Vikings have a bye. Then they’re back at it a week from Sunday against Chicago.
