Win one for Frazier as Vikings snap road losing streak

• Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings

Talk about it

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Minnesota Vikings ended an eight-game road losing streak when they edged the Redskins in Washington 17-13.

Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart each scored rushing touchdowns for the Vikings, who won their first game under interim coach Leslie Frazier.

Peterson ran for 36 yards before hurting his right ankle. Gerhart ran 76 yards in the second half, and Brett Favre threw for 172 yards for Minnesota, which improved to 4-7.

Donovan McNabb connected on 21-of-35 passes for 211 yards, a touchdown, and an interception for the Redskins (5-6), who have lost three of four.

Trailing, 17-7, Washington got a 65-yard kickoff return from Brandon Banks late in the third quarter. The Redskins failed to do much with the great field position, and Graham Gano made a 40-yard field goal with 13:34 left in the fourth.

After Minnesota went three-and-out, McNabb threw a 45-yard pass down the left sideline to Anthony Armstrong. The offense stalled from there and the Redskins got a 42-yarder from Gano this time to cut the gap to 17-13 with 10:02 to play.

The turning point in the game came on the ensuing Vikings punt. Banks returned the punt 77 yards for a touchdown, but Perry Riley was called for an illegal block. Instead of taking the lead, the Redskins took over at their own 11 and went three-and-out.

The Vikings got the ball back with 6:13 to play. Minnesota was able to run the ball to pick up first downs. Faced with a 3rd-and-8 from the Washington 24 with just under 2 1/2 minutes left, Favre ran for 10 yards to seal the game, as the Redskins had no timeouts left.

Tags: minnesota sports, preoam, football, vikings