Peterson rushed for 86 yards, falling far short of the 2,000yard mark, yet helped the Vikings' postseason chances with a 236 upset of the Texans on Sunday. Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass, Toby Gerhart added a score and Blair Walsh kicked three field goals as the Vikings (96) won their third straight.

The win raises the stakes for the Vikings, who host Green Bay next Sunday in the regularseason finale.

"We obviously have a big one next week, and if we don't win that one, this one doesn't mean anything," Ponder said. "Our No. 1 goal is to make the playoffs."

The loss kept the Texans (123) from clinching homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. They could still secure a firstround bye if Denver loses later Sunday, and would claim homefield advantage with a win next week at Indianapolis.

"Very disappointing because we had a chance to line up here and get something done today," coach Gary Kubiak said. "That doesn't mean we still can't get it done. That's www.nikebuffalobillsstore.com/Authentic-Rian-Lindell-Jersey the most important thing."

Peterson had his lowest rushing total since getting 79 yards on Oct. 14 in a loss at Washington, breaking a streak of eight 100yard games. Peterson, who is from Palestine, Texas, had more than 100 family and friends at the game.

"We knew they were going to focus on the run, which is OK," Peterson said of the Texans. "It felt good to see other guys get involved and us continue to move the ball down and score some points."

He has 1,898 this season and needs 208 yards to break the NFL singleseason rushing record held by Eric Dickerson. Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said he took Peterson out late as a precaution because he has a sore abdomen.

"I'll get some rest and be ready to get a W and break that record," Peterson said.

The Vikings took a 103 lead when Walsh kicked a 56yard field goal. The kick gave Walsh, a rookie, the NFL record with nine field goals of 50 yards or longer this season.

The Texans failed to score a touchdown for the nikebuffalobillsstore.com/Authentic-Rian-Lindell-Jersey first time since 2006.

"We didn't play well," Kubiak said. "I think we battled defensively, but offensively we probably played as bad as we've played. I take full responsibility for that. It's a huge, huge disappointment. Watt had a sack to leave him with 20 1/2 this season.

Houston got within 10 points before Gerhart's 3yard run extended the lead to 236 with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter. That drive was helped by a 29yard run by Ponder.

Ponder, who got married on Monday, was 16 of 30 for 174 yards to help the Vikings pile up 345 yards. He finished with seven rushes for 48 yards 14 more yards rushing than the Texans had.

"Christian had a terrific day throughout, playing with a lot of poise, a lot of control he did all the things we needed," Frazier said. "But it was all set up by our run game."

Arian Foster had 10 rushes for 15 yards before leaving with about nine minutes left in the third quarter with an irregular heartbeat. Kubiak said he is OK, but he was taken out as a precaution.

"I'll be fine," he said. "I'll be OK. It's a very minor situation."

Ben Tate took over and didn't fare much better with four carries for 17 yards.

The Texans were foiled by their inability to convert third downs, going 1 of 11. Quarterback Matt Schaub went 18 of 32 for 178 yards.

Houston got to the Minnesota 1 with a 12yard reception by Kevin Walter late in the third quarter. Then came an incomplete pass followed by a run for no gain by Tate. Schaub was sacked by Fred Evans for a loss of 14 yards to make Rian Lindell Jersey White the Texans settle for a 33yard field to cut the lead to 166.

Houston had to punt on its first possession of the third quarter, but got the ball right back when Watt sacked Ponder and forced a fumble. Bradie James recovered, but the Texans Bills Rian Lindell Jersey had to punt again.

The Vikings extended their lead to 163 when Walsh made a 39yard field goal on the first drive of the second half. That series was helped when Ponder found Jarius Wright on a 15yard reception, and the Vikings got 15 more yards when Whitney Mercilus was flagged for unnecessary roughness on Ponder. Jefferson.

A 41yard field goal by Walsh left Minnesota up 133 at halftime.

Peterson ran for 20 yards to get Minnesota's offense going. The Vikings took a 73 lead when Kyle Rudolph grabbed a 3yard touchdown reception. Rudolph also had a 27yard catch that drive.

Houston's Andre Johnson had seven receptions for 97 yards.

Pete CarrollSeattle Seahawks' head coach Pete Carroll, left, hugs Doug Baldwin after Baldwin scored a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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Since then, Smith's career has been filled with injuries and a variety of other ups and downs, while Rodgers, after sitting behind Brett Favre for a couple years, has blossomed into arguably the top quarterback in the NFL and is coming off an MVP season.

But now, after a 2011 season in which Smith Kevin Kolb Black Jersey finally healthy and surrounded by a talented cast led the 49ers to a 133 record and reached the NFC Championship Game and Rodgers' Packers finished 151 after winning the Super Bowl the year prior, both are firmly entrenched as starters.

And when they kick off the season against one another today at Lambeau Field, it will be for the first time as part of the two teams favored to win the NFC.

It's been a bit of a journey for both players, but it's led to a mutual respect and bond along the way.

"Yeah, [we were] kind of pitted against each other coming out of college," Smith said. "It's funny, just going through that, kind of became pretty good friends, had a lot in common."

Rodgers echoed Smith's sentiments and says he enjoys keeping tabs on the San Francisco signalcaller.

"I've been friends with him since we were 21 and I've followed his career," Rodgers said. "It's nice to have been able to reconnect over the last year or so."

While both lead toplevel NFL teams, the perception of the two couldn't be more different.

Rodgers had one of the best seasons in NFL history with 4,643 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and a leaguerecord 122.5 rating in 2011. He's viewed as a possible Hall of Famer down the road with multiple MVPs and Super Bowls in his future.

On the other hand, Smith, despite a very solid 2011 season in which he passed for 3,144 yards with 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions, is often labeled as a "game manager."

It's a handle Rodgers feels isn't accurate.

"I think that term is a condescending term for quarterbacks," Rodgers said. "I don't think he's a game manager, I think he's a guy who takes care of the football and makes a lot of plays."

When the two clubs last met nikebuffalobillsstore.com/Authentic-Kevin-Kolb-Jersey in Kevin Kolb Youth Jersey 2010, the Packers rolled to www.nikebuffalobillsstore.com/Authentic-Kevin-Kolb-Jersey a 3416 win, but Smith didn't play, as Troy Smith was starting for San Francisco at the time.

So today offers the first time since 2009 that Rodgers and Smith will share the field at the same time. But Smith isn't getting caught up in the QB hoopla.