University of Minnesota back-up quarterback Max Shortell rallied the Gophers late in the fourth quarter but the team fell short in its loss to Northwestern 21-13 Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Shortell came in for MarQuies Gray, who got the start for the Gophers but reinjured his ankle in the third quarter.

Coming off a horrific Monday night loss in Green Bay, the Vikings (2-7) try to bounce back at Mall of America Field today against the AFC West leading Oakland Raiders (5-4).

It's the Vikings and the Raiders at Mall of America Field. Minnesota tried to shake off that Monday night loss to the Packers, but just couldn't quite get the job done. How did it all go down? Check right here for the highlights, and more...

Adrian Peterson was back on the field Thursday for the first time since spraining his ankle against Oakland. The Vikings will need all the help they can get to avoid their fifth-straight loss Sunday in Detroit. Quarterback Christian Ponder did not practice, due to a hip pointer injury.

They might be 2-7, with no hope of the playoffs this year, but the Vikings have sold out another game at Mall of America Field. The team says that means Sunday’s contest against Oakland will be televised locally. It’s a noon start against the 5-4 Raiders.

Despite playing through an ankle injury and eventually blowing out his knee, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson came in at No. 8 on NFL Network’s “Top 100 of 2012.”