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Late FG gives Vikings victory

Minnesota wins back-and-forth game

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Minnesota Viking kicker Ryan Longwell's field goal with 13 seconds left in the game broke a tie and gave his team a 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday.

Longwell's kick followed a missed field goal attempt by Saint kicker Martin Gramatica.

The Vikings led 20-10 at halftime, but Reggie Bush drew the Saints within three with a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, Viking Antoine Winfield, who already had returned a blocked field goal 59 yards for a touchdown, stripped Saints Drew Brees of the ball on a sack and returned the fumble 9 yards to the Saints 5. Running back Chester Taylor threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe on third down to give the Vikings their first lead, 17-10.

New Orleans, which outgained Minnesota 251 yards to 120 in the first half, threatened to score on its next two possessions before committing a turnover on both. Bush fumbled at the Minnesota 34 to halt one series. Linebacker Ben Leber ended the second by intercepting a pass that bounced off receiver Lance Moore's hands twice at the Minnesota 11.

The Vikings responded with their first sustained drive of the game, moving 72 yards on 15 plays to set up a 33-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell with four seconds left. Neither team could generate many yards in the third quarter, with each offense failing to cross midfield.

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