(Sports Network) – Rookie Toby Gerhart and Adrian Peterson each scored a touchdown on the ground, as the Minnesota Vikings held off the Washington Redskins, 17-13, in Leslie Frazier’s debut as head coach.
The Vikings, who lost to the Saints in the NFC championship game last season, got off to a 3-7 start this year. That led to Minnesota firing Brad Childress on Monday. Frazier, who was the defensive coordinator, was promoted to interim head coach.
Peterson carried the ball six times for 36 yards before tweaking his right ankle. Gerhart played the entire second half and rushed for 76 yards on 22 carries for the Vikings (4-7), who had lost eight in a row on the road in the regular season dating back to a win in Green Bay on November 1, 2009.
Brett Favre completed 15-of-23 passes for 172 yards for the victors.
Donovan McNabb connected on 21-of-35 passes for 211 yards, a touchdown, and an interception for the Redskins (5-6), who have lost three of four.