Vikings Downs Rams In OT, NFL Scores

Angered by a hit to Teddy Bridgewater's head that knocked the quarterback out of the game, the Minnesota Vikings kept their composure and steered their feelings toward another steely victory. Then they let the St. Louis Rams have it.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, helping set up Blair Walsh's 40-yard field goal in overtime that gave the Vikings a 21-18 victory over the Rams on Sunday.

"We're a disciplined football team. We do things right. That's why we are the least-penalized team in the league because we play by the rules," said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who had a hard time holding back.

In a predictably grind-it-out game between similarly constructed teams, the Vikings (6-2) ended Todd Gurley's streak with 125-plus yards rushing at four straight games. Gurley gained 89 yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts for the Rams (4-4), who took the overtime kickoff at Zimmer's deferral but quickly went three-and-out.

Marcus Sherels tiptoed along the sideline for a 26-yard return of Johnny Hekker's 63-yard punt, and Peterson ran the ball well into Walsh's range to give the Vikings their seventh straight win at home.

Greg Zuerlein made four field goals for the Rams, including a 53-yarder with 17 seconds left in regulation to make up for the 48-yarder that went wide right a few minutes before.
With Green Bay's loss at Carolina, the Vikings forged a tie for the NFC North lead, taking momentum into a tough second-half schedule. Bridgewater greeted his teammates as they ran through the stadium tunnel after the game, clapping and slapping their backs.

On a 5-yard scramble early in the fourth quarter, Bridgewater slid to protect himself when cornerback Lamarcus Joyner dived at him shoulder-first. Bridgewater appeared to be out cold, before walking slowly off the field and eventually jogging to the locker room for evaluation.

Asked if he felt the Rams played dirty, Zimmer said simply: "Yes."

Sunday, November 8 Scoreboard

Carolina 37, Green Bay 29

New England 27, Washington

Tennessee 34, New Orleans 28 (OT)

Buffalo 33, Miami 17

Minnesota 21, St. Louis 18 (OT)

New York Jets 28, Jacksonville 23

Pittsburgh 38, Oakland 35

New York Giants 32, Tampa Bay 18

San Franciso 17, Atlanta 16

Indianapolis 27, Denver 24

Philadelphia 33, Dallas 27 (OT)

Monday, November 9 Schedule (Time Central)

Chicago at San Diego, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 12 Schedule (All Times Central)

Buffalo at New York, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, November 15 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Green Bay, noon

Dallas at Tampa Bay, noon

Carolina at Tennessee, noon

Chicago at St. Louis, noon

New Orleans at Washington, noon

Miami at Philadelphia, noon

Cleveland at Pittsburgh, noon

Jacksonville at Baltimore, noon

Minnesota at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.

New England at  New York, 3:25 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 3:25 p.m.

Arizona at Seattle, 7:30 p.m.