Peterson, Vikings Bounce Back, Beat Bengals 30-10

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings arrived at a crossroads game against Cincinnati, with the disturbing feeling of a humbling and hurtful loss last week still fresh.

They went back to basics with a bruising win over the Bengals, allowing their fans to breathe a sigh of relief while refashioning themselves as the Super Bowl contenders they're believed to be.

Adrian Peterson ran 26 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns and the defense was superb, pushing the Vikings past the mistake-prone Cincinnati Bengals in a 30-10 victory on Sunday.

"It was huge. Not for anybody else, but just for ourselves," defensive end Jared Allen said. "Just to show what our character is. Sometimes you get in bad situations and make excuses, but nobody did."

Minnesota (11-2) clinched a spot in the playoffs and moved within one win - or a Green Bay loss - of a second straight NFC North title. Brett Favre wasn't great, going 17 for 30 for 192 yards, one touchdown and an interception, but the defense responded to linebacker E.J. Henderson's devastating injury last week with an inspired effort while welcoming hard-hitting cornerback Antoine Winfield back to the lineup.

The banged-up offensive line also held up well against a stout Bengals defense that entered the afternoon with an NFL-low average of 15.6 points allowed.

"We wanted to come out and show to ourselves that this is the Vikings team you have seen all year," said Peterson, who added 40 yards receiving and set a franchise record with 14 rushing touchdowns this season.

Cincinnati (9-4) committed 11 penalties for 85 yards and failed to clinch the AFC North when Baltimore won. With rookies Jasper Brinkley and Jamarca Sanford making their first career starts at linebacker and safety, the Vikings held Carson Palmer to a season-low 94 yards passing.

"They sent a message and set a tone early in the game," said Cedric Benson, whose 16 carries for 96 yards gave him his first 1,000-yard season. "Today was a big learning lesson. We've got a lot of young guys, and I don't think that many guys have had that playoff run opportunity. Today was a playoff game if you ask me. Tough opponent."

Palmer threw a second-quarter touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco, but it didn't bring a hint of celebration from the flamboyant, oft-fined Pro Bowl player - or do much to get the Bengals in the game.

"Awesome," Ochocinco said, assessing Minnesota's defense. "I can only speak from the secondary's standpoint, but Cedric Griffin, Antoine Winfield, Madieu Williams - they did a hell of a job."

Ochocinco finished with three catches for 27 yards, and Winfield - who missed the past six games with a foot injury - was all over the field. Ryan Longwell kicked three first-half field goals, the last with 4 seconds left after Winfield tackled Brian Leonard in the flat and forced a critical fumble.

The Vikings got the ball to start the second half, too, and the game-defining drive was all Peterson. He dived over the pile on third-and-1 for a touchdown midway through the third quarter.

Favre was more of the game manager he was pegged to be entering the season without trusty target Percy Harvin (migraine headaches) to throw to.

"I don't think I'm falling apart in December like most people seem to think," Favre said. "So I feel fine. I don't feel much different than most guys in that locker room at this stage of the season."

The Bengals, missing stout defensive tackle Domata Peko for the second week in a row, had their team-record streak of eight straight games holding the other team under 100 yards rushing end. Safety Chris Crocker hurt his ankle in the first quarter and didn't return, and cornerback Johnathan Joseph was hurt in the third.

Not a good way for them to go to San Diego (10-3) next week.

"I thought we got outplayed today in all three phases," coach Marvin Lewis said. "So we need to go back and look at it and we've got to get better. We have a good opportunity to do that. That's what I told our players."