MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Adrian Peterson ran for 75 yards and two scores and the Minnesota Vikings stopped the Washington Redskins at the 4 in the final seconds to hold on for a 34-27 victory Thursday night.
Christian Ponder went 17-for-21 for 174 yards with two touchdowns and an interception before leaving late in the third quarter with an injured left shoulder. John Carlson had seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (2-7).
Robert Griffin III was 24-for-37 for 281 yards and three touchdowns for the Redskins (3-6), who led 27-14 early in the third quarter. But Santana Moss couldn't get his second foot in bounds on a pass in the corner of the end zone on fourth down, giving Minnesota the victory.
While the game was going on inside, hundreds of American Indians and their supporters gathered outside the Metrodome to protest the Redskins nickname. Calls have grown increasingly louder this season for owner Dan Snyder to change the team name, which critics call offensive to Native Americans. Snyder has called the name "a badge of honor" but also said he respects the feelings of those who are offended.