Dwight Smith, left, returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and linebacker Chad Greenway followed moments later with another interception return for a score -- Minnesota's third of the game -- as the Vikings stunned the Giants on Sunday.
Darren Sharper had the first defensive score for the Vikings, returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown that gave Minnesota a 14-7 lead in the frist quarter. Minutes later, Smith made the first of his two interceptions on the day, returning it 19 yards to the Giants 8 and setting up a touchdown run by Chester Taylor that made the score 21-7.
» Highlights | Photos | Reaction: Vikings | Giants
"You could have swore we just won the Super Bowl the way we were celebrating," Banta-Cain said.
The 49ers are 2-0 against Arizona, 1-8 against everybody else.
» Highlights | Photos | Reaction: 49ers | Cardinals
Sure, Robbie Gould kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime and the defending NFC champions gave their flickering playoff hopes a boost with a 37-34 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. And, yes, Bernard Berrian made a spectacular touchdown catch at the end of regulation.
But it was two touchdown returns in the the third quarter by Devin Hester, left, that woke up a team that seemed to be asleep on the field.
"I take it personal when a team says they are going to kick it to us," he said. "They feel like they are kicking it to us because they feel we're not good. We're trying to make it to the playoffs. This is one step to get us in the hunt."
» Highlights | Photos | Reaction: Broncos | Bears
Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.
