Replay: Vikings 34, Cleveland 20

GAME BALLS

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Expectations were high after an offseason of posing for magazine covers. With 180 rushing yards and three TDs, he lived up to everything.

Kevin Williams, Vikings: The All-Pro defensive tackle had a sack and recovered a fumble, and he's kicking the NFL's butt in court, too. Ipso facto, he gets a game ball.

John Sullivan, Vikings: The second-year center had a big job, stepping in for departed Pro Bowl player Matt Birk, and was part of a line that paved the way for Peterson.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Quarter: Fourth • Time: 6:11

Score: Vikings led 27-13

The play: On the first play following a Cleveland punt, Adrian Peterson broke through the left on a 64-yard TD run.

The result: Words can't really do justice to the attempt, which capped Peterson's day. It seemed he was stopped four times along the way, but the weary Browns just didn't have the strength to pull him down.

NOT IN THE BOXSCORE: And he bled all over them

Peterson had intravenous fluids at halftime because he was nauseous. He was also cut on his left forearm in the first half, and he started bleeding from the IV wound in the second half. And, as the line went, whatever they put into him in halftime, can the rest of the team get some, too?

OTHER HEADLINES WE MAY (OR MAY NOT) HAVE CONSIDERED

Super Bowl Not Favre Away

Here's To You, Mr. Peterson

Vikings Put Quinn's Undies In Bunches

Half Bad, Half Good, All Right

NEXT WEEK Vikings at Detroit • Noon Sunday • Ford Field (Ch. 9)

About the Lions: Rookie Matthew Stafford has stepped in at quarterback, but he threw three interceptions Sunday as the Lions lost their 18th in a row, 45-27 at New Orleans.