Minnesota takes control of NFC North

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With a gutty goal-line stand and one big heave by Gus Frerotte, the Minnesota Vikings grabbed control of the NFC North and sent Kyle Orton and the Chicago Bears home with a humbling defeat.

Seconds after the Bears were stopped four times at the 1, Bernard Berrian pulled in a 99-yard touchdown pass from Frerotte that sent the Vikings to a 34-14 victory and sole possession of the division lead Sunday night.

Orton’s team-record streak of 206 attempts without an interception ended with a thud, and Minnesota (7-5) turned three turnovers into 17 second-half points. Orton finished 11-for-29 for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Adrian Peterson had 100 yards by halftime and finished with 131 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings, who enjoyed their most lopsided win of the season.

When the afternoon scores were given over the loudspeaker before the game, Green Bay’s 35-31 loss to Carolina got a hearty cheer. The Packers (5-7) fell two games behind after a brutal November, and the Vikings (7-5) sailed into the fourth quarter of the season with a critical lead over the Bears (6-6).

The possibility of four-game suspensions for star defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams looms for Minnesota, and Chicago plays three straight weeks at home. Clearly, this was one the Vikings just had to have.

The Frerotte-to-Berrian play was the 11th 99-yard pass play in NFL history and the longest offensive play in Vikings history.