US Sport story by Vinnie Mitchell, Tue, 22 Nov 2005 20:04:00 GMT


Minnesota Vikings kicker Paul Ebinger gave fresh hope for the Vikings' hopes of making it to the play-offs with a field goal that came perilously close to the end of the match against rivals Green Bay Packers.

The 20-17 score line was too close for comfort, but it did keep the Vikings' hopes of the play-offs well and truly alive after three consecutive wins in this National Football League season. Ebinger had tucked in a similar effort in October against the same opponent and his 56-yard field goal had given the Vikings' the game 23-20 against the Green Bay packers at home.

This time the score was a little less, but the dramatics were the same and it was Ebinger's 27 yard field goal that secured the win for the Vikings. Minnesota had surged ahead 17-14 on the back of another field goal by Ebinger in the fourth quarter, but Green Bay shot in its own field goal to tie the game at 17-17 with barely three minutes to go. Minnesota Quarterback Brad Johnson had a poor game and was sent out five times and had two fumbles as well. But it was Johnson who set up Edinger's kick with a nine-play, 58-yard drive in the closing minutes.

Green Bay's star QB Brett Favre also had a similar game in that he threw one interception straight into the hands of Minnesota's Dovonte Edwards. "It was exciting," Edwards said after the game. "I had a dream actually last night that I would do something big today and it came true. [Coach] Mike Tice said you need to dream, dream about making plays and that's what I did last night and it happened for me tonight." However Favre did make up for this pass by hitting Donald Driver for a 53-yard touchdown.

This win gives Minnesota a 5-5 record and puts them two games behind the North division topper Chicago.

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