vikings/nfl

GAME BALLS

Pat Williams, Vikings: The veteran defensive tackle gave pep talks all week, then shut down Oakland's running game with nine tackles.

Chester Taylor, Vikings: "Backup" tailback had the 12th-best rushing day in team history (22 carries, 164 yards, three TDs) and caught three passes.

PLAY OF THE GAME

First quarter, first play from scrimmage

Vikings first-and-10 on the Raiders 16

The play: Chester Taylor swept left, gave the ball to receiver Sidney Rice on the reverse, and Rice threw long to Visanthe Shiancoe for a 79-yard gain.

The result: The 11th-longest pass completion in Vikings history got the crowd into the game and set up a 10-yard touchdown run by Taylor.

MONDAY MORNING QB, ON THE QBS

This week's starter: Tarvaris Jackson

Play: Pocket awareness isn't what it should be; took three sacks and had two turnovers. Grade: Wade

Leadership: Let's face it, Jackson needs games like this to improve his on-field play before he starts running the show like Manning and Brady. Grade: Wade

Stats: Was 17-for-22 for 171 yards and a 79.9 rating ... but was overshadowed by WR Sidney Rice (118.8 rating). Grade: Wade

Overall: His end-zone interception prevented the game from being a rout early. Still nothing here to crow about. Grade: Wade

NEXT WEEK

Vikings at N.Y. Giants • Noon Sunday

Meadowlands (Ch. 9)

About the Giants: New York improved to 7-3 with a ragged 16-10 victory at Detroit.

Dangerous player: Michael Strahan had three sacks and leads a rabid defensive line.

GIVEAWAY DAY: THE VIKINGS' FIVE TURNOVERS

1. Leading 7-0, Tarvaris Jackson was intercepted by Nnamdi Asomugha on a pass from the Raiders 3 in the first quarter.

2. Bobby Wade lost a first-quarter fumble at the Oakland 47.

3. Chester Taylor lost a fumble on the Vikings 14, leading to a Raiders field goal in the second quarter.

4. Jackson lost a second-quarter fumble at the Vikings 46.

5. Linebacker Chad Greenway lost a fumble after making a fourth-quarter interception that would have clinched the victory.