The Vikings took a big risk early in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons, and got it to pay off.
The Vikings were facing a 4th-and-13 at the Atlanta 39-yard line, and Leslie Frazier and company decided that they were going to go for it. Christian Ponder dropped back, got the best protection that he's gotten all day, and hit Percy Harvin in the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 17-14.
The play came about after a couple of breaks for the Vikings. After what appeared to be a three-and-out for the Vikings, Chris Kluwe punted the ball away, but Ryan D'Imperio managed to block a Falcons' player into the bouncing ball, and the Vikings made the recovery on the play.
Minnesota then got an opportunity out of what looked like a bad situation. Minnesota attempted to run a screen to Toby Gerhart that appeared to set up 4th-and-7 for the Vikings, but Falcons' coach Mike Smith challenged the play, and it was ruled that the ball hit the ground before Gerhart caught it. So, rather than having to attempt a field goal, the Vikings decided to go for it, and Ponder hit Harvin for the long touchdown pass.
So, with 13:13 left in the game at the Georgia Dome, the Minnesota Vikings now find themselves down just three against the Atlanta Falcons, 17-14.