Vikings 33, Redskins 26
Joe Webb threw two touchdowns and ran for another in relief of injured rookie Christian Ponder and the visiting Minnesota Vikings ended a six-game losing streak with a 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins on Saturday.
The second-year pro bailed out the Vikings by leading Minnesota to scores on three straight possessions after replacing Ponder, who left with a concussion. Ponder exited the contest one play after star running back Adrian Peterson was knocked out with a left knee injury.
Webb’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin gave the Vikings the lead with 10:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. Mistral Raymond’s interception set up Ryan Longwell’s 23-yard field goal that gave Minnesota a 10-point cushion with just over four minutes left.
The Vikings (3-12) need to win next week to avoid matching the worst season in the franchise’s 51-year history.
It won’t be easy without Peterson, who needed help getting off the field after being taken down awkwardly on the first play of the second half. It was his second game back from a high ankle sprain that sidelined him three weeks.
Ponder, meanwhile, left after being bent backwards on a sack on the next play.
Rex Grossman threw two touchdowns for the Redskins (5-10), who have lost six straight at home and nine of their last 11 overall.