National Football League

Peterson, Vikings bounce back, beat Bengals 30-10

Published Dec. 13, 2009 10:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

Adrian Peterson ran as if he was angry about his recent struggles, and the Minnesota Vikings rode his resurgence to an important victory.

Peterson had 97 yards and two touchdowns on 26 rushes without a turnover, pushing the Vikings past the mistake-prone Cincinnati Bengals 30-10 on Sunday.

Peterson added 40 yards receiving and set a single-season team record with 14 rushing touchdowns, moving Minnesota (11-2) within one win of a second straight NFC North title.

Brett Favre wasn't great, completing 17 of 30 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and an interception, but the defense responded to middle linebacker E.J. Henderson's devastating injury with an inspired effort.

Carson Palmer was 15 for 25 for a season-low 94 yards and one touchdown, and Cedric Benson's 16 carries for 96 yards gave him his first 1,000-yard season but left the Bengals short of 100 for the first time in a month.