CHICAGO — No matter where or how he got the ball yesterday, Adrian Peterson seemed to find the opening in the Chicago Bears' defense.

Through the line, around the end, across the field with a split-second cutback and even on kickoff returns, he made the Bears miss.

Peterson's record-setting performance put the Minnesota Vikings (2-3) in position for victory, one they secured yesterday when Ryan Longwell kicked a career-long 55-yard field goal on the final play to beat the Bears, 34-31.

"I just got comfortable, more comfortable with the speed of the game," Peterson said after showcasing the talent that made him the first running back taken in this year's draft.

"I knew anything was possible."

With a blend of power and speed, the rookie from Oklahoma finished with 224 rushing yards on 20 carries and scored on runs of 67, 73 and 35 yards. He broke Chuck Foreman's club-record of 200 yards rushing set against the Eagles in 1976, and gained the most yards against the Bears in their 88-year history.

"We stunk. We played horrible," Bears defensive end Alex Brown said. "He's a good player, but ... he shouldn't get that many yards."

Peterson set up Longwell's game-winner by returning a kickoff 53 yards. His afternoon at Soldier Field overshadowed a great one from the Bears' Devin Hester, who returned a punt 89 yards for a score and caught a game-tying 81-yard TD pass from Brian Griese with 1:38 left.

"It's kind of crazy," Peterson said. "Guys come up to me and they say, 'When you got the ball it's kind of like holding your breath.' I experience that when that guy (Hester) is on the field. I'm holding my breath knowing he can take it to the house any time he touches the ball."

After the Griese-to-Hester connection tied it up, Peterson returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bears 38.

Why did the Bears (2-4) kick to Peterson after he'd run all over the field?

"Of course, he's a big threat. They only needed a field goal," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "We haven't gone into many games where we don't kick the ball to the player."

After Peterson was thrown for a 4-yard loss back to the 37 on third down, Longwell floated a kick that just cleared the crossbar.

"It was on line. I couldn't tell how far it cleared, but I knew it wouldn't be much," Longwell said.

PANTHERS 25, CARDINALS 10

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Vinny Testaverde hit Steve Smith for a 65-yard touchdown pass, DeAngelo Williams ran for 121 yards and a touchdown, and John Kasay kicked four field goals for Carolina (4-2) against Arizona (3-3). Testaverde signed with Carolina earlier this week when first-stringer Jake Delhomme went on injured reserve and backup David Carr hurt his back. "Our guys rallied around him," Carolina coach John Fox said. "I think they saw some of the things he's capable of during the week in practice."

PACKERS 17, REDSKINS 14

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Charles Woodson returned a fumble 57 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in soggy conditions at Lambeau Field as Green Bay (5-1) beat Washington (3-2). Corey Williams stripped Santana Moss on an end-around late in the third quarter, and Woodson picked up the ball and ran to the end zone. "It was a big play today," Woodson said. "Hopefully, I have many more to come." Green Bay's Brett Favre threw his 278th career interception, breaking a tie with George Blanda for the NFL record.

SAINTS 28, SEAHAWKS 17

SEATTLE — New Orleans (1-4) finally found the win column. A standout night from Reggie Bush was only a small part of its breakthrough. Bush gained 141 yards, Drew Brees threw for 246 and receiver David Patten had eight catches for 113 yards against Seattle (3-3). "This was us," Brees said. "Rhythm. Tempo. We did a great job." Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck threw for 362 yards, his most since December 2004.