Maybe it’s time to start giving that rookie running back more touches; Melvin Gordon had only 14 carried for 51 yards. After hitting Malcom Floyd on a 3rd-and-18, Rivers went three of four to hit Keenan Allen for the 34-yard score making it 10-7 at the half. Peterson’s two-yard touchdown run was his first since November 24, 2013 – a span of more than 140 carries for the 30-year-old running back.
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“This week in practice was the first time it looked like Adrian I remember”, said linebacker Chad Greenway, whose 91-yard interception return in the fourth quarter helped the Vikings (2-1) raise their home record under coach Mike Zimmer to 7-3. With over seven minutes left in the game, Kellen Clemens entered at quarterback for Rivers. Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was 13 of 24 through the air for 121 yards and an interception. “Football has been around so long, and it always comes down to a physical game at the end”.
Receiver Stevie Johnson believes the adversity of a tough loss on the road could be the thing this team needs.
The Vikings will be in good shape if Peterson can stay as productive on the field as he is off of it.
His response: “I think we want it louder this week”.
“I do like the physical nature of our team the last couple of weeks”, Zimmer said Monday, a day after the Vikings stomped the Chargers 31-14. “We’ve been 1-2 before and won double digits”. He has an expert voice on all things National Hockey League and NFL, and now works as the Chargers beat writer for Sports Out West.
“The five we had left that fought like insane to the end”, Rivers said, “and their effort is appreciated”.
“It certainly will be weird going against him”, quarterback Philip Rivers said. But I’d sure like to find out. Peterson was asked about how he was feeling for this game and if he’s officially “back” now. Don’t turn the ball over, play well on first and second down (and) give ourselves a chance on third down. It was his second straight game of 100-plus rushing yards at TCF Bank Stadium.
Overall, the Vikings gained 163 yards on the ground.
Of course, no one is immune to the follies of throwing the football to the back of someone’s helmet – apparently – and all that was missing was a Rivers freakout to make this a complete moment.
John Phillips tied a career-high with four receptions.
Either way, if Gordon is on, the whole game shifts in favor of the Chargers.
A backup, Craig Mager, was out because of a hamstring injury, meaning that Patrick Robinson and Steve Williams bore the burden most of the day. Eric Weddle is the free safety and also the team’s leading tackler. Green went through the concussion protocol before Week 1 but was cleared to play against the Lions; he apparently was concussed against the Bengals, though it wasn’t apparent when it might have happened. They pushed close to midfield on their first drive, but stalled out and were forced to punt.
His value to the coaches and players, though, has never been greater.
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Minnesota took the lead late in the first quarter after a strip sack from Anthony Barr in San Diego territory. In addition, a roughing the passer penalty was called on Minnesota moving the Bolts’ ball to the Minnesota 14. Left tackle Matt Kalil releases down the field as Thielen takes his man into the end zone and locks him with a block.
