Adrian Peterson was the star Sunday at Lambeau Field, but it was the Green Bay Packers who were smiling at game's end.
The Packers overcame a 210-yard rushing day from Peterson in a 23-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers (8-4) now have won six of their last seven games, bouncing back from last Sunday night's ugly loss to the New York Giants. Coupled with the Chicago Bears' overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers move into a tie for first place in the NFC North. Green Bay currently holds the tiebreaker edge, having beaten Chicago in Week 2.
The Packers had no answer for Peterson, who had a career-high 82-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and found his way to the second level of the defense all day. The Packers dominated Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, who finished 12-of-25 passing for 119 yards and one touchdown with two big interceptions.
Coach Mike McCarthy's team didn't get out of this clean. T.J. Lang went down with an ankle injury, forcing the Packers to turn over the right tackle position to Don Barclay, an undrafted rookie free agent. Barclay appeared to hold his own, but depth issues on the offensive line are a huge concern. The Packers also lost wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who didn't return after injuring his hamstring in the first quarter.
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