Spokesman-Review
National Football League
Minnesota 21, Chicago 14
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2012
Where: Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Temperature: Dome
Head Official: Walt Coleman
Attendance: 64134

Vikings 21, Bears 14: Adrian Peterson ran for 154 yards and two early touchdowns to lift host Minnesota in a key NFC North clash.

Peterson, the league's leading rusher, went over 100 yards for the seventh consecutive game as the Vikings (7-6) avenged a 28-10 loss at Chicago on Nov. 25 and dealt the skidding Bears (8-5) their fourth defeat in five games.

Harrison Smith returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown to help Minnesota snap a six-game losing streak to the Bears and remain in contention for one of the NFC's two wild card slots despite being outgained by nearly 200 yards (438-248).

Jay Cutler was 22-of-44 for 260 yards with one TD and two interceptions but suffered a neck injury and was replaced by Jason Campbell on the final drive. Campbell threw a 16-yard scoring pass to Brandon Marshall to cut it to 21-14 with 1:48 to play, but Minnesota recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. Marshall had 10 catches for 160 yards.

Minnesota did next to nothing offensively after Peterson scored twice on 1-yard runs in the first 6 1/2 minutes. Christian Ponder finished 11-for-17 for only 91 yards with an interception and the Vikings punted seven times and had an interception in their eight possessions following Peterson's second TD.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cutler was hurt midway through the fourth when he took a blow to the head from Vikings DE Everson Griffen. He finished the drive but Campbell took over for Chicago's final possession. ... Bears K Robbie Gould suffered a left calf strain in pregame warmups. P punter Adam Podlesh handled kickoffs but Gould did convert the two PATs. ... Smith became the first Minnesota player to return two interceptions for a touchdown in one season since DE Kevin Williams in 2007. ... Marshall went over 100 catches for the fourth time in seven seasons and had his seventh 100-yard game to move into a tie with three other player for the franchise high in one season.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Chicago   Minnesota
Matt Forte Player Adrian Peterson
13 Attempts 31
85 Yards 154
6.5 Avg Yards 5.0
0 Touchdowns 2
36 Long 51
Receiving
Chicago   Minnesota
Brandon Marshall Player Michael Jenkins
10 Receptions 4
160 Yards 36
16.0 Avg Yards 9.0
1 Touchdowns 0
39 Long 11
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Chicago 438 118 320 2 0 1 1.0 2
Minnesota 248 171 77 3 0 2 2.0 1
Upcoming Games
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against St. Louis. The Vikings have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against Green Bay. The Bears have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.