Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield stood out on a day when the team defense had to do its part to make up for a shaky performance by Minnesota quarterback Gus Frerotte. Winfield had 12 tackles (11 solo) and forced a fumble that led to a Vikings field goal early in the third quarter and a 10-point lead. Although he gave up some plays Sunday, he's a steady player who's been one of the team's most valuable players all season.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Chester Taylor made a 3-yard run beautiful when he spun away from Jags defensive end Derrick Harvey in the backfield and turned the play into a touchdown. Taylor spun that play into an easy touchdown run as he ran into the end zone untouched. The spin was as pretty as you'll see, and more importantly the end result gave the Vikings a 14-0 lead at the 13:19 mark in the first quarter.
GOAT OF THE GAME
Jaguars center Brad Meester snapped the ball to nobody, essentially, when he thought quarterback David Garrard was lined up behind him on the first Jacksonville offensive play of the game. But Garrard was in shotgun formation, so the play resulted in a fumble that Vikings' linebacker Napoleon Harris returned 27 yards for an easy touchdown and a 7-0 Minnesota lead. Meester won't live down that mistake for a long time.
UNSUNG HERO
Vikings fullback Naufahu Tahi doesn't get much credit for his blocking. He's usually lost in the highlight reels with Adrian Peterson blowing by him en route to the end zone. In the fourth quarter Sunday, Tahi blocked the weakside linebacker and freed Peterson for his touchdown that gave the Vikings a commanding lead.
--Rick Alonzo
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