Thursday, Aug. 26 8:00pm ET
Minnesota 17, Philadelphia 13
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Cornerback Ramos McDonald returned a fumble 59 yards for a touchdown and Jeff George was sharp before leaving with an injury as the Minnesota Vikings recorded a 17-13 exhibition victory over the reeling Philadelphia Eagles.

McDonald, who spent his rookie season as a backup at left cornerback, scooped up a fumble by rookie tight end Jeff Weaver with 57 seconds left in the opening half and broke into the clear for a 10-3 lead.

George, who was forced to leave early in the fourth quarter with a twisted left knee, completed 9-of-13 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Acquired in the offseason as a backup to Randall Cunningham, George found tight end Carlester Crumpler with a nine-yard scoring strike 5:21 into the second half to put the Vikings on top, 17-3.

Cunningham started and went 8-of-13 for 86 yards and first-round draft pick Daunte Culpepper completed his only attempt for five yards. Minnesota's Robert Smith had nine carries for 48 yards.

Philadelphia first-round pick Donovan McNabb directed the Eagles' only touchdown drive, finding Dietrich Jells with a 19-yard scoring strike on the first play of the fourth quarter.

McNabb was 9-for-14 for 76 yards after starter Doug Pederson went 14-of-24 for 120 yards. Veteran kicker Norm Johnson converted field goals of 29 and 51 yards.

The Eagles (0-3) conclude their exhibition season with a home contest against Cleveland on September 2. Philadelphia has managed just 29 points in three games.

The Vikings (2-1) close their exhibition season with a road game against the New York Jets on September 3.

 


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