The Oakland Raiders came to the Metrodome looking to keep hold of first place in the AFC West, while the Vikings were simply looking for a win after their beat down on Monday night against the Packers. Minnesota looked confident early, but the loss of Adrian Peterson to injury and numerous turnovers were too much to overcome as the Raiders came out victorious by the score of 27-21.
Adrian Peterson began the game with a 12 yard TD run for the Vikings, but left late in the first quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. That started the momentum shift for the Raiders, who would go on to score 24 unanswered points from there, including a 11 yard touchdown reception from Chaz Schillens, a two yard Michael Bush TD and a one yard Carson Palmer Rush TD to push the Raiders ahead in the first half.
Both Bush and Palmer were brusing the Vikings today as Bush finished with 109 yards on 30 carries including a TD and a fumble, while Palmer was 17 for 23 for 164 yards including a passing and rushing touchdown. But the Raiders defense were the real game changers today, finishing with 5 turnovers forced (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles) including two of the three picks inside the Raiders 25 yard line. Both teams had their fare share of penalties as well, finishing with 12 for 117 yards for Oakland and 9 for 50, with one penalty killing a Percy Harvin touchdown catch in the first quarter.
Christian Ponder finished the game with three interceptions but still made a valiant effort at a second half comeback. He found Percy Harvin for a 26 yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter, his first TD catch of the year, followed by a one yard pass to Kyle Rudolph after a Michael Bush fumble to make it 27-21. In the end they couldn't comeback though, as the Raiders early lead and numerous turnovers sealed their fate this Sunday.
With the win the Raiders move to 6-4, solely atop the AFC West.
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