Minnesota Vikings vs Atlanta Falcons Box Score on Nov 29, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 29, 2015

ATLANTA -- Running back Adrian Peterson and an opportunistic Minnesota Vikings defense had the Georgia Dome showering boos on the struggling Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Peterson rushed for 158 yards and scored two touchdowns and Minnesota created four turnovers in a 20-10 road win over the Falcons.

After another Matt Ryan turnover late in the fourth quarter, Falcons fans headed for the exits while serenading their struggling team with chants of "Let's go Vikings."

Peterson scored on a 1-yard plunge to put the Vikings ahead 7-0 in the first quarter and then sealed the win with a 35-yard touchdown run with 4:15 to play. He moved into 19th on the NFL's all-time rushing list, moving past Corey Dillon and O.J. Simpson on Sunday.

Trailing 13-3 with 4:45 to play, the Falcons went for it on 4th and 1 from 50-yard line. Ryan, in the shotgun with no running backs, was sacked by linebacker Anthony Barr and fumbled. Three plays later, Peterson burst down the sideline his clinching touchdown.

The Vikings (8-3) bounced back from last week's loss to Green Bay and returned to the top of the NFC North division by themselves, thanks to Chicago's upset of the Packers on Thanksgiving. Minnesota heads into December facing a difficult closing stretch. The Vikings host Seattle next week, followed by a game at high-powered Arizona. Minnesota closes at Green Bay in Week 17.

After jumping out to a surprising 5-0 start, the wheels are coming off for first-year Atlanta coach Dan Quinn and the Falcons (6-5), who have dropped four straight. Ryan threw two ugly interceptions, the second coming in the Vikings' end zone and leading to a chorus of boos from the Georgia Dome crowd.

Ryan's porous showing came against a banged-up Minnesota secondary that was without starting safety Harrison Smith. Vikings corner Xavier Rhodes shadowed Falcons receiver Julio Jones and kept the NFL's leading receiver out of the end zone for a second straight week. Jones finished with five receptions for 56 yards.

Ryan completed 22 of 31 passes for 230 yards with a 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Nick Williams and two interceptions. Ryan has thrown five interceptions in the past two games.

Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater also threw a bad interception in the first half that prevented the Vikings from extending their lead. But that was Bridgewater's only turnover. The Vikings quarterback completed 20 of 27 passes for 174 yards.

Atlanta was without injured star running back Devonta Freeman, who missed the game while recovering from a concussion suffered in the first quarter of last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie running back Tevin Coleman started in place of Freeman and notched the first 100-yard rushing performance of his career. Coleman had a 46-yard run in the first half, but got caught from behind and was stripped by a hustling Barr.

NOTES: Atlanta K Matt Bryant, who injured his right quad in a Wednesday practice, was inactive. Veteran K Shayne Graham, signed this week, handled the place-kicking duties. … Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson moved into 19th place on the NFL's all-time rushing yards list, passing Corey Dillon and O.J. Simpson. … Vikings WR Stefon Diggs turned 22 on Sunday. …. Falcons LB Justin Durant suffered an ankle injury in the first half and did not return. … Vikings S Andrew Sendejo injured his knee in the second quarter and had to leave the game.