For Crying Out Loud, Vikings Are for Real

MINNEAPOLIS â€”  No room for crybabies. It’s not just the name of a book, it’s the name of the game for the Minnesota Vikings.

Dennis Green’s autobiography and word that the team is for sale didn’t bother them. The loss of their top two running backs to injuries didn’t, either.

Moe Williams opened the game with a 74-yard kickoff return Sunday and the third-string running back later scored his first NFL touchdown to help the surprising Vikings to their fifth consecutive victory--a 23-18 decision over the slumping New England Patriots.

Cris Carter also made a late touchdown reception and Eddie Murray kicked three field goals as the Vikings (7-2) maintained a tie atop the NFC Central with the Green Bay Packers.

“We’ve never made excuses or alibis, and we’re damn sure not crybabies,� Green said. “We just come out and play.�

The loss was the third in a row for the defending AFC champion Patriots (5-4), who have lost four of five overall. They fell into a three-way tie for second in the AFC East, one game behind the New York Jets.

“There will always be some peaks and valleys,� fullback Keith Byars said. “We can’t seem to find the bottom of this valley.�

The Vikings won despite the off-field maelstrom that started two weeks ago with the release of Green’s book. They also won without Robert Smith, the NFC’s second-leading rusher entering the weekend, who was out because of an ankle injury. Backup Leroy Hoard also sat out the game because of two broken ribs.

Williams carried 19 times for only 43 yards, but had a one-yard touchdown run that gave Minnesota a 10-0 lead. He also set the tone for the game with his long return on the opening kickoff, setting up the first of Murray’s field goals.

“We’re not as healthy as we want to be, but we’re going to have weeks like that,� Carter said. “We just have to pull those games out.�

Minnesota led, 16-3, entering the final period, but the Patriots rallied with Drew Bledsoe’s five-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Jefferson and Adam Vinatieri’s second field goal.

But New England hurt itself by failing to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Minnesota 11 late in the third quarter and by botching the extra point after Jefferson’s touchdown catch.