Vikings 38, Rams 10: St. Louis Gives Up Ball Three Times In Red Zone

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) – Brett Favre threw a touchdown pass and Adrian Peterson added two rushing scores, as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the lowly St. Louis Rams, 38-10, at the Edward Jones Dome.

Minnesota was aided by three ill-timed turnovers committed by the Rams inside the red zone.

Favre completed 18-of-24 passes for 232 yards with one interception for the Vikings, who are off to their first 5-0 start since 2003. Peterson totaled 69 yards on 15 carries.

Kyle Boller threw for 209 yards and one interception on 20-of-31 attempts for the Rams (0-5), who have lost 15 straight games dating back to last season. Marc Bulger, who missed last week’s contest with a bruised right rotator cuff, entered in the fourth quarter and completed all seven passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Steven Jackson rushed for 84 yards on 21 carries in defeat.

Minnesota got the ball to begin the game and Favre led the Vikings on a nine- play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown run by Peterson.

The Rams quickly advanced into Minnesota territory, with Randy McMichael turning a short toss into a 35-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage.

After three consecutive runs by Jackson moved the ball to the 35-yard line, Boller lost the handle on first down while being pursued by a Vikings defender. Jared Allen recovered the fumble at his own 48 and rumbled to the end zone for a 14-0 Vikings lead.

Turnovers continued to plague St. Louis. The Rams put an impressive drive together and were threatening to score a touchdown. Jackson, though, fumbled inside the five-yard line and, once again, Allen scooped up the ball for the visitors.

Rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis then picked off a Favre pass on the ensuing series. Josh Brown kicked a 29-yard field goal to put St. Louis on the board with 7:38 remaining in the second quarter.

Ryan Longwell’s 47-yard boot made it 17-3 in favor of the Vikings.

St. Louis looked to trim the deficit before halftime, but, for the second straight time, turned the ball over in the red zone.

On second down from the nine, Boller rolled to his right and hit Daniel Fells, who stumbled for a few yards before having the ball jarred loose by Chad Greenway and recovered by Minnesota’s E.J. Henderson.

Favre’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Visanthe Shiancoe accounted for all the scoring in the third quarter.

It was another missed opportunity for the Rams early in the final stanza when Boller was intercepted by Tyrell Johnson in the end zone.

Peterson’s second touchdown — a seven-yard scamper — stretched the lead to 31-3.

The Rams finally found paydirt on a 27-yard scoring play between Bulger and Donnie Avery.

Chester Taylor tacked on a one-yard touchdown run in the late stages for Minnesota.

Percy Harvin had 66 yards on four receptions for the Vikings…Avery made five grabs for 87 yards…Minnesota was 7-of-11 on third down, while the Rams were 5-of-12…The Vikings host Baltimore next week, while St. Louis travels to Jacksonville.

- Via Sports Network.