Postgame analysis: Vikings 37, Packers 34

The Minnesota Vikings took a season full of drama down to the final seconds in the Metrodome against their arch-rival Green Bay Packers, as rookie K Blair Walsh capped off his Pro Bowl season by knocking through a 29-yard field goal as the clock ran out. The kick gave the Vikings a 37-34 victory and sent them to the playoffs against these same Packers.

RB Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 199 yards, put Walsh in position for the kick with a 26-yard run to the Packers’ 11. He came up nine yards short of breaking the NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105, but he and his teammates accomplished their primary goal of getting the Vikings to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

“It’s obviously important to take away the focal point there, and we didn’t do that today,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Peterson.

With the win, the Vikings completed their fourth straight victory to earn the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs, and that knocked out NFC North Division rival Chicago. Peterson was clearly the Vikings’ workhorse, but QB Christian Ponder may have played his best game of the season, going 16 of 28 for 238 yards and three touchdowns. When Green Bay got close, Ponder made the plays to help the Vikings keep pace with the high-scoring Packers offense.

“He made so many big plays at the quarterback position,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said of Ponder. “He’s playing at a high, high level at this point and we needed that today against a high-powered offense. He did a terrific job and is playing good football at the right time for us.”

The Vikings looked as though they might blow the Packers out early, scoring the first three times they had the ball for a 13-0 lead. But QB Aaron Rodgers, as expected, got the Packers' offense rolling with passes to his old favorite target WR Greg Jennings and the quick feet of RB DuJuan Harris. The Packers rallied to pull within three points right after halftime, and then, like a classic prize fight, the combatants traded staggering blows, as the Packers tied the game twice in the fourth quarter.

But with their playoff lives on the line, the Vikings did not wilt. Ponder and Peterson got the ball with just over two minutes remaining and worked downfield for the final field goal -- and the biggest win in Minnesota in three seasons.

The Vikings completed a turnaround of a 3-13 season in 2011 and made it back to the playoffs, where the spoils are a trip to Lambeau Field next weekend and another shot at the NFC North Division champion Packers.

When the game turned: With third-and-11 on their 22, two minutes remaining in the game and the score tied at 34, the Vikings’ playoff hopes lay in the balance. Ponder hit WR Michael Jenkins who was wide open along the sideline for 25 yards. The Vikings then handed the ball to Peterson, who rambled through Packers' defense, willing himself toward the end zone. He was stopped at the 11 -- and nine yards short of Eric Dickerson’s rushing record -- to set up Walsh's game-winning field goal.

Highlight moments: Peterson looked to have fumbled the ball in the third quarter, but it was overturned by instant replay. On the next play, Peterson ripped off an angry run right for 28 yards to the 7-yard line. It led to a 2-yard touchdown pass from Ponder to Peterson. … The Packers tied the game at 27 in the fourth quarter and on the first play from scrimmage, Ponder hit WR Jarius Wright on a 65-yard bomb. The Vikings took it in for the go-ahead score. … With the Packers scoring 10 unanswered points and pulling within three in the second half, the Packers were on the move again. DE Brian Robison, playing with a Grade 3 sprained AC joint in his shoulder, chased down Rodgers and knocked the ball from his hand. S Jamarca Sanford grabbed the fumble near midfield and the offense took advantage with Peterson’s second touchdown of the game. ... WR Jennings, who has been out most of the season with an injury, caught a Rodgers pass on the right side and made several nice moves for 45 yards (including 28 yards after the catch). He took the ball down to the 8-yard line and later caught a 5-yard touchdown pass.  … WR Jordy Nelson beat A.J. Jefferson down the right side on a 73-yard bomb. He took it to the Vikings' 8, and the Packers later converted into a James Jones touchdown pass.

Top-shelf performances:

• Vikings RB Adrian Peterson -- 34 carries for 199 yards, TD; TD catch 
   
• Packers QB Aaron Rodgers -- 28 of 40 for 365 yards, 4 TDs, 131.8 QB rating
   
• Vikings QB Christian Ponder -- 16 of 28 for 234 yards, 3 TDs, 120.2 QB rating
   
• Packers WR Greg Jennings—8 receptions for 120 yards, 2 TDs
   
• Vikings DE Everson Griffen -- 3 sacks

What they said about Peterson coming up short of the record:

• Vikings coach Leslie Frazier -- “I know he ended up nine yards short, but everything was hinging on our getting a win. We were never calling plays or structuring things to get him the record. It was all in the flow of the game. And it just so happens he ends up nine yards short.”

What they said about playing Vikings next week in the playoffs:

• Packers LB A.J. Hawk -- “Any time a team does that to you, you want to find a way to fix that. I don’t want to call it redemption, but we need to -- the playoffs are a one-game season. You need to win every time you step on the field, and we are looking forward to it.”

What they said about Peterson:

• Packers QB Aaron Rodgers -- "He's incredible. I just told him after the game that he's the best. He's incredible to watch. Obviously, I don't like playing against him. He probably ... might've won the MVP today -- hopefully we can win the playoff game next week.”

Numbers you should know: Peterson became the seventh running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 yards rushing in a season. He finished with 2,097 rushing yards, second all-time and 9 shy of Dickerson’s record. ... Walsh opened the scoring with a 54-yard field goal, his 10th of 50-plus yards, to extend his NFL record he set last week in Houston.

Injury update: Packers -- DE Jerel Worthy was carted off the field with less than two minutes remaining in the game. There was no update after the game, but he did have his left leg wrapped. Vikings -- CB Antoine Winfield, who came into the game with a broken bone in his hand, reinjured it late in the first half. His hand was swollen after the game, and coach Frazier said they would learn more about it Monday.

Going forward: With the win, the Vikings made the playoffs as the sixth seed in the NFC. They head to Green Bay for a rematch against the Packers in the first round of the NFC playoffs.