Though they got off to a quick start in the first half, the Minnesota Vikings were unable to hold their 17-7 lead over the San Diego Chargers. Philip Rivers led the Chargers to 17 unanswered points in the second half of the game for the 24-17 victory. Running back Mike Tolbert was also key to the victory.
Tolbert, who caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Rivers in the first half, opened the second half with a seven-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 69-yard drive. Punter Mike Scifres had to take over kicking duties since kicker Nate Kaeding went down with an injury on Percy Harvin's 103-yard kick return touchdown that kicked off that game, Scifres made this extra point and all the others, and he came up with a 40-yard field goal to tie the game at 17.
After the Chargers defense forced the Vikings into a three-and-out, Philip Rivers took the team down the field, aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty, and ended the drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Mike Tolbert, his third touchdown of the game.
While Rivers threw for 335 yards, the Vikings' Donovan McNabb was just 7-of-15 for 38 yards and a touchdown pass. His first pass as a Viking was an interception.
The Vikings (0-1) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) next week. The Chargers (1-0) fly across the country for a game against the New England Patriots.
Rivers and running back Mike Tolbert guided the offense to two touchdowns