Vikings miss chance against Falcons
The Minnesota Vikings missed a chance to wrap up their first division title since 2000, as they lost to the Atlanta Falcons 24 to 17 at the Metrodome yesterday.
The Vikings paved the way for the Atlanta victory by turning over the football on fumbles four times.
Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson played well in his second start since taking over for Gus Frerotte. Jackson threw two touchdown passes to Visanthe Shiancoe and in one stretch he completed eleven straight passes.
But Jackson also commited one of Minnesota's fumbles.
Adrian Peterson, who leads the National Football League in rushing, was held to 76 yards and lost two fumbles.
The Falcons did not turn the ball over at all. Their one fumble was by an Atlanta lineman in the Vikings end zone for a touchdown.
In spite of the loss, the Vikings are in the driver's seat in the division race. They can clinch the division if they beat the New York Giants in their season finale or if the second-place Chicago Bears lose either of their two remaining games.
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