NFL Game Summary - Minnesota at St. Louis
(Sunday, October 11th)
Final Score: Minnesota 38, St. Louis 10
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Brett Favre threw a touchdown pass and Adrian
Peterson added two rushing scores, as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the lowly
St. Louis Rams, 38-10, at the Edward Jones Dome.
Minnesota was aided by three ill-timed turnovers committed by the Rams inside
the red zone.
Favre, who turned 40 on Saturday, completed 18-of-24 passes for 232 yards
with one interception for the Vikings, who are off to their first 5-0 start
since 2003. Peterson totaled 69 yards on 15 carries.
"It's the first time in my career I'm 5-0," said Favre. "I'm very proud of
that and this team. It hasn't come without adversity and we'll continue to
face adversity, week in and week out. It's not how you start, but how you
finish. I do know it's important to start fast. There's no doubt for anyone
who watches us, the guys in that room, that we can be a lot better in all
three phases and specifically, offensively."
Kyle Boller threw for 209 yards and one interception on 20-of-31 attempts for
the Rams (0-5), who have lost 15 straight games dating back to last season.
Marc Bulger, who missed last week's contest with a bruised right rotator cuff,
entered in the fourth quarter and completed all seven passes for 88 yards and
a touchdown.
Steven Jackson rushed for 84 yards on 21 carries in defeat.
Minnesota got the ball to begin the game and Favre led the Vikings on a nine-
play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown run by Peterson.
The Rams quickly advanced into Minnesota territory, with Randy McMichael
turning a short toss into a 35-yard completion on the first play from
scrimmage.
After three consecutive runs by Jackson moved the ball to the 35-yard line,
Boller lost the handle on first down while being pursued by a Vikings
defender. Jared Allen recovered the fumble at his own 48 and rumbled to the
end zone for a 14-0 Vikings lead.
Turnovers continued to plague St. Louis. The Rams put an impressive drive
together and were threatening to score a touchdown. Jackson, though, fumbled
inside the five-yard line and, once again, Allen scooped up the ball for the
visitors.
"Kind of the same story as the last game, turnovers unfortunate turnovers at
crucial times," said Jackson. "My turnover at the goal line definitely hurt
the team and our momentum. After that I think we just snowballed downwards. We
were able to move the ball as a offense but in the National Football League,
it's really hard to overcome turnovers especially when you're facing a team
like the Minnesota Vikings."
Rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis then picked off a Favre pass on the
ensuing series. Josh Brown kicked a 29-yard field goal to put St. Louis on the
board with 7:38 remaining in the second quarter.
Ryan Longwell's 47-yard boot made it 17-3 in favor of the Vikings.
St. Louis looked to trim the deficit before halftime, but, for the second
straight time, turned the ball over in the red zone.
On second down from the nine, Boller rolled to his right and hit Daniel Fells,
who stumbled for a few yards before having the ball jarred loose by Chad
Greenway and recovered by Minnesota's E.J. Henderson.
Favre's 13-yard touchdown pass to Visanthe Shiancoe accounted for all the
scoring in the third quarter.
It was another missed opportunity for the Rams early in the final stanza when
Boller was intercepted by Tyrell Johnson in the end zone.
Peterson's second touchdown -- a seven-yard scamper -- stretched the lead to
31-3.
The Rams finally found paydirt on a 27-yard scoring play between Bulger and
Donnie Avery.
Chester Taylor tacked on a one-yard touchdown run in the late stages for
Minnesota.
Game Notes
Percy Harvin had 66 yards on four receptions for the Vikings...Avery made five
grabs for 87 yards...Minnesota was 7-of-11 on third down, while the Rams were
5-of-12...The Vikings host Baltimore next week, while St. Louis travels to
Jacksonville.
10/11 18:27:21 ET

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