The Minnesota Vikings shut out the Oakland Raiders in the second half to win 30-14 and improve their record to 7-2 this evening.
Mike Zimmer's men took an early lead as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater found Rhett Ellison on a 11-yard passing play for a touchdown.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was picked off on his next possession as Terence Newman came up with the football, but Minnesota had to settle for a field goal from kicker Blair Walsh after Kyle Rudolph dropped an almost certain touchdown.
Walsh then hit another three points before Carr got his first touchdown pass of the day, as he connected with Clive Walford for the 10-yard score.
Carr then helped his team take the lead as he made a 38-yard pass to Andre Holmes, who crossed the goalline to put the Raiders a point ahead.
However, Cordarrelle Patterson ensured that the Vikings would head into half time with the lead after he returned the resulting kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown.
Walsh had a chance to cement their advantage before the break, but the Vikings kicker pulled his attempt wide left of the uprights.
Both teams held strong in the third quarter before Walsh was presented with an opportunity to extend the Vikings lead for the second time in the fourth, but his kick was blocked.
The third time would be the charm for Walsh as Oakland failed to put more pressure on the Vikings, and the kicker nailed the 34-yard try with less than four minutes remaining.
Newman then picked off Carr again in the endzone just before the two minute warning, and Adrian Peterson completed the punishment with an 80-yard rush that went all the way for a touchdown to finish the game.
The win sends the Vikings to the top of the NFC North while the Raiders drop below .500 to 4-5 on the season.
Nathan Staples
