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Elam Boots Denver To OT Win

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By ARNIE STAPLETON, The Associated Press

Published: December 31, 2007

DENVER - Jason Elam kicked a 30-yard field goal less than a minute into overtime to give the Denver Broncos a 22-19 win against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

The Vikings (8-8) needed a win and a Washington loss to top-seeded Dallas to sneak into the playoffs, but neither the Redskins nor the Broncos (7-9) obliged. Washington easily beat the Cowboys, who rested several of their starters.

Elam, who surpassed John Elway last week for most games in franchise history, is a free agent. He brought his family to the game, including 5-year-old Julianna, who had never seen him play, just in case this was it.

"I usually don't let my kids come to the games, just for the atmosphere and everything. I worry about them," Elam said. "I let all my kids come to the game. They got to see Daddy kick a last-minute field goal."

Minnesota, which scored 16 points in the final 5:18 to erase a 19-3 deficit, won the overtime coin flip, but on the Vikings' second snap, Tavaris Jackson was sacked and fumbled.
Elvis Dumervil recovered at the Minnesota 12, and the Broncos' field-goal unit rushed onto the field for their fourth game-winner of the season just as the snow began falling, a slight consolation for a team that endured its first losing season since 1999.

With the playoffs out of his reach, Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson settled for the NFC rushing title. He gained 36 yards on 11 carries. Despite his fourth straight subpar performance, his 1,341 yards edged Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook by 8 yards.

The Vikings trailed 19-3 in the closing minutes before Jackson hooked up with Bobby Wade for two scores. The first one was from 5 yards out and came with 5:18 remaining, after which Jackson scrambled for the 2-pointer.

After the Broncos went three-and-out, Jackson found Wade all alone for a 22-yard score with 2:21 left, then circled into the end zone himself to tie it at 19.

Peterson didn't see any action until Chester Taylor and Mewelde Moore had split snaps on Minnesota's first drive, which ended with Taylor fumbling just as he was about to punch it onto the right pylon.

Taylor's second fumble led to a touchdown that gave Denver a 14-3 halftime lead.

Min-FG Longwell 22, 14:51.

Den-Marshall 15 pass from Cutler (Elam kick), 11:25.

Den-Scheffler 2 pass from Cutler (Elam kick), 1:54.

Third Quarter

Den-FG Elam 43, 7:35.

Fourth Quarter

Den-Safety, Cook face mask penalty in end zone, 13:04.

Min-Wade 5 pass from T.Jackson (T.Jackson run), 5:18.

Min-Wade 22 pass from T.Jackson (T.Jackson run), 2:21.

Overtime

Den-FG Elam 30, 14:08.

A-76,084.

RUSHING-Minnesota, Taylor 10-83, Peterson 11-36, T.Jackson 4-36, Moore 2-17. Denver, Young 22-87, Marshall 2-31, Hall 3-10.

PASSING-Minnesota, T.Jackson 16-31-0-175. Denver, Cutler 26-37-0-246.

RECEIVING-Minnesota, Wade 5-92, Ferguson 5-39, Taylor 3-9, Mills 2-26, Allison 1-9. Denver, Marshall 10-114, Scheffler 7-52, Mustard 3-41, Young 3-12, Walker 2-16, Sapp 1-1, Martinez 0-10.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-None.

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