Vikings 27, Rams 13

Another non-flashy, but effective, game for Minnesota, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

The Vikings' defense forced six turnovers and held Steven Jackson to 67 yards rushing in their sixth straight victory, 27-13 over St. Louis.

With the Bears (9-4) losing at Pittsburgh, the Vikings (8-5) pulled within one game of the division lead in a season that appeared lost after a 2-5 start.

For a team that has given up an average of 47 points and 456 yards in three straight losses to the Rams, Sunday's game also served as a statement that this Minnesota defense is no longer the turnstile it once was.

Brian Williams led the way with two interceptions as the Vikings confused and battered rookie quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was 26-of-44 for 235 yards and five interceptions for the fading Rams (5-8).

That end-of-season meeting between Chicago and Minnesota might just mean something after all: who gets to advance to the play-offs out of the sad-sack NFC North.