vikings/nfl

• Vikings defensive end Erasmus James played in his second game of the season as he continues recovering from knee and shoulder injuries. Unofficial statistics credited him with one assisted tackle.

• In addition to Winfield, Williamson and Holcomb, the Vikings' other game-day inactives were safety Mike Doss, running back Naufahu Tahi, tight end Garrett Mills, offensive lineman Chase Johnson and defensive lineman Jayme Mitchell.

• The Vikings again employed a defensive formation with three linemen, two linebackers and six defensive backs on a few occasions in passing situations. Safety Tank Williams, who had started the past two games but was back on the bench with Dwight Smith returning, was the sixth DB.

• Chargers strong safety Clinton Hart said he hadn't seen Peterson run that much before the Chargers had to prepare for him last week. "I don't watch college football, but I had heard a lot about him when he was at Oklahoma," Hart said. "But when a guy gets to this level, you think it's a lot of hype about how good a guy is. But he's good. He's really good. It's great to be young and that aggressive as a runner. He's something else."

• Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman said the Vikings "just wanted the game more than we did." He added, "They dove for every inch, fought for everything. They blocked a second or two longer. When you're that physical, good things happen."

KEVIN SEIFERT, JUDD ZULGAD AND MARK CRAIG