MINNEAPOLIS -- Even as rookie running back Jerick McKinnon started to prove he deserved more of the workload for the Minnesota Vikings, coach Mike Zimmer stayed resolute in his insistence on using power back Matt Asiata.
Zimmer's insistence paid off Sunday.
Asiata scored three rushing touchdowns -- the third time he's had three in a game in his career -- as Minnesota beat Washington 29-26 on Sunday.
"The coaches trust me down there in the goal-line area, and I've just got to do my job and trust the O-line, read those reads and score a touchdown for our team," Asiata said.
Asiata had 10 carries for 26 yards. McKinnon finished with 14 runs for 54 yards and 86 of the Vikings' 100 yards rushing against the Redskins were gained in the second half.
Asiata scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs and added a career-long 7-yard touchdown run in the win. He also converted a run up the middle for a two-point conversion.
"I'm just trying to punch it in for our O-line," They're working their butts off, and I'm trying to be there and trying to get the touchdowns for them."
Zimmer knew Asiata and McKinnon would each be needed during Adrian Peterson's absence. Asiata got the first chance to be the lead back, but McKinnon's big play ability -- and surprisingly tough running -- helped the rookie third-round pick gain the lion's share of the carries.
Asiata kept working in the background.
"He's not really a surprise to us because he's a tough, strong runner, never says a word," Zimmer said. "He just does his job every single day like a lot of our players. I love that he had the opportunity too kind of go in a different direction when McKinnon started to get more and more carries, but he kept fighting, doing what he's supposed to do. He's a great team player. I love having him here."
Three touchdowns will add to the love.
Asiata burst onto the scene last year when he scored three touchdowns in a late-season win against Philadelphia with Peterson and backup Toby Gerhart nursing injuries. He went back to a reserve role the following week, but ended the season with 115 yards on just 14 carries in a win against Detroit.
Asiata also scored three touchdowns in a home win against Atlanta earlier this season. With nine career rushing touchdowns, each has come in a three-touchdown home game.
"I think it's just the game flow, trying to get the momentum going and trying to keep our defense hyped up, and try to set the tempo," Asiata said.
Ford scores his first: Like the undrafted Asiata, another undrafted player for Minnesota was in the spotlight on Sunday. Tight end Chase Ford had five catches for 66 yards and caught his first career touchdown.
Ford has come through as the team's top receiving option at tight end with Kyle Rudolph sidelined from having double sports hernia surgery.
"Chase is going to be a household name around here," quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said. "Chase is a guy who's been making plays for us ever since (organized team activities). He's a very explosive player."
Rudolph could possibly return following the team's Week 10 bye, but Ford has likely carved out a role. He scored the first touchdown for Minnesota on Sunday and had a big 21-yard completion, narrowly keeping his feet in bounds, on the Vikings' game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
Like Asiata, Ford had a strong finish to last season, but he had to work his way back into the mix after a foot injury earlier this season. He started the year on the practice squad as Minnesota claimed MarQueis Gray off waivers from Cleveland before the season.
"I never gave up faith," Ford said. "I knew that god had a plan for me and I just went in there. When I was in the weight room I was going as hard as I can. And when I got the opportunity, I've been trying to make the most of it."
Smith holds his tongue: Safety Harrison Smith was called for a questionable unnecessary roughness penalty in the third quarter. Smith dived toward Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III and appeared to go over the top of Griffin.
Griffin had slid feet-first short of the first-down marker but the penalty gave Washington a first down and Griffin completed a touchdown to DeSean Jackson on the next play.
"I don't know how I feel about that call," Smith said. "That's all I've got to say about that. We won. I don't want to spoil it. You guys saw it. That's all that matters."
Smith also had a defensive holding call on Washington's final drive taken off the hook when Washington guard Shawn Lauvao was called for offensive holding. The plays offset and Griffin had a low throw on fourth-and-six on the next play which helped Minnesota finish out the win.
Zimmer sees signs: Zimmer was proud of the win and the way the team came back from a few tough moments. The lead changed hands five times in the second half, and the Vikings had three touchdowns erase deficits.
"I'm extremely proud of our guys, the way they fought," Zimmer said. "They handled an awful lot of adversity throughout the ballgame. I felt like our team grew up today, in a lot of different ways because they could have folded the tents early. We went down 10 to nothing and we kept fighting and fighting. I've said this before, and the way that our football team works every single day in practice, the way they study, it has to pay off on Sundays. I think it's starting to show."
Because of the win, Zimmer said the team will have an extra day off this week during the bye.
"I promised the team two weeks ago if they won the last two games I'd give them an extra day off on the bye week, so they got an extra day," Zimmer said. "I told them if they make me happy, I make them happy."
Quiet please: One of the bright spots for Minnesota was the play of rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who overcame a slow start to finish with 268 yards and a touchdown on 26-of-42 passing. In the process, Bridgewater set a team record for wins by starting rookie quarterback (three), and also the most games started by a rookie quarterback without an interception (three).
The effort brought more chants of "Teddy" from the home crowd, which has been behind the rookie first-rounder from the beginning. Zimmer appreciated the support Sunday, but wished the fans would pick their spots.
"It's great to be here and be at home and have that kind of enthusiasm," Zimmer said. "I would appreciate it if they didn't yell 'Teddy' when we're on offense. But it's great to have the fan support that we have. Hopefully they're liking how we play football. We always want to try and please them."
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