When the Vikings lost quarterback Christian Ponder to a concussion and tailback Adrian Peterson to a knee injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at FedEx Field, it appeared that the Vikings would match their high-water mark for losses from 1984 -- and also get themselves closer to the front of the line for the best quarterback prospect since 1983.
Instead, the Vikings didn’t miss a beat, gradually pulling 10 points ahead of the Redskins in the fourth quarter before holding on for a 33-26 win.
Tailback Toby Gerhart contributed 109 yards on 11 carries, and Joe Webb generated three touchdowns -- one on the ground and two touchdown passes despite throwing only five times.
The win overshadowed a solid performance from Redskins running back Evan Royster, who generated 147 yards (132 on the ground) in his first career start.
The silver lining for the Redskins? With the loss, they’ve fallen to 5-10, which will make it easier for them to trade up to the top spot, if they choose to make a play for Andrew Luck.