Mistake-filled loss to Browns puts Vikes in peril
The quiet in the locker room after the game was almost a respite for the Minnesota Vikings. They'd spent three hours being booed lustily during a sloppy home loss to a team in full-on rebuilding mode. at 0-3 with a trip to London coming up, the Vikings' season is teetering on the brink of ruin, and they know it. Jordan Cameron caught three touchdown passes, including the go-ahead grab in the back of the end zone with 51 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns overcame a week of turmoil to stun the Vikings 31-27 Sunday.
``We have to fix it, '' said quarterback Christian Ponder, who heard chants for backup Matt Cassel throughout another uneven performance. ``Otherwise we're going to be 0-16. ''Ponder rushed for two touchdowns, but he also was 25 of 42 for 228 yards with one interception and one lost fumble. He didn't get much help from an offensive line that has woefully underperformed through three games. The unit allowed six sacks and had a hard time opening holes for Adrian Peterson against Cleveland's determined front seven. Peterson rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown, averaged just 3. 5 yards per carry and lost a fumble. The offense managed to turn four Browns turnovers into only 10 points and the defense couldn't hold a late lead for the second straight week.
The Browns trailed 27-24 and started at their 45 with 3: 21 left. But Brian Hoyer capped a commanding march down the field with a 7-yard pass in the corner to Cameron to win the game. ``We've got to play better defense, '' said DE Jared Allen, who was shut down by Browns star left tackle Joe Thomas all afternoon. ``I don't know if guys underestimated the Browns coming in or what the deal was, but we have to take a long look in the mirror and get better. ''.
``We have to fix it, '' said quarterback Christian Ponder, who heard chants for backup Matt Cassel throughout another uneven performance. ``Otherwise we're going to be 0-16. ''Ponder rushed for two touchdowns, but he also was 25 of 42 for 228 yards with one interception and one lost fumble. He didn't get much help from an offensive line that has woefully underperformed through three games. The unit allowed six sacks and had a hard time opening holes for Adrian Peterson against Cleveland's determined front seven. Peterson rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown, averaged just 3. 5 yards per carry and lost a fumble. The offense managed to turn four Browns turnovers into only 10 points and the defense couldn't hold a late lead for the second straight week.
The Browns trailed 27-24 and started at their 45 with 3: 21 left. But Brian Hoyer capped a commanding march down the field with a 7-yard pass in the corner to Cameron to win the game. ``We've got to play better defense, '' said DE Jared Allen, who was shut down by Browns star left tackle Joe Thomas all afternoon. ``I don't know if guys underestimated the Browns coming in or what the deal was, but we have to take a long look in the mirror and get better. ''.
AnthonyBryantok - 25. Sep, 08:48
