MINNEAPOLIS — His left knee fully healed, Adrian Peterson ran hard -- and often.

The Minnesota Vikings finally turned their star running back loose after months of caution, and he rewarded their trust with a typical two-touchdown game. Seemed as if he'd never been hurt.

Rookie Blair Walsh kicked four field goals, including a 55-yarder as regulation ended and another in overtime, and Peterson returned a little more than eight months after reconstructive surgery to lift the Vikings to a 26-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

"My legs are loose. Seriously, I'm feeling really good. I'm ready to carry the load," Peterson said.

Peterson ran 17 times for 84 yards for the Vikings, who led for most of the second half until Blaine Gabbert's 39-yard touchdown pass and 2-point conversion with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave the Jaguars a 23-20 lead.

"We just wanted to give y'all a show," said Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, who rebounded from an erratic start. "We could have ended the game a little sooner ... but everyone knew the rule and was well aware of what was going on."

For the first time since the NFL's new overtime scoring rule was installed last season, the first team to score didn't immediately run off the field a winner. The replacement officials were right on top of that and most of the rest of the action, avoiding any game-changing contested calls or blatant mistakes.

After Walsh's 38-yard kick, the Vikings had to play defense again so the Jaguars had their turn to match. But Gabbert was hurried into a fourth-down overthrow, spoiling the debut for new Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey, who played for the Vikings in the 1980s.

"Nobody likes to lose, especially myself," Gabbert said. "Maybe I'm just doing a good job of hiding it. It makes my blood boil when you lose games like that."

For two teams that combined for eight wins last season, this game had everything, including the wild lead change in the waning seconds. After forcing a punt by the Jaguars at the two-minute warning, the Vikings went three-and-out and punted the ball right back clinging to a 20-15 lead.

With no timeouts, 91 seconds left and starting at his 24-yard line, Gabbert put together perhaps the best drive of his brief career. He completed a fourth-down pass to rookie Justin Blackmon and then found Cecil Shorts III open for a 23-20 lead after the 2-point conversion, putting a stunned silence over the stadium.

But the Vikings still had two timeouts, and with two quick passes by Ponder they hustled in position for Walsh to kick the tying field goal with room to spare.

They won the coin toss and, with 27 yards on three carries by Peterson to become the franchise's career leading rusher, set up the sixth-round draft pick from Georgia for his go-ahead kick.

"I've been bragging on this guy," Peterson said.

Ponder finished 20 for 27 for 270 yards, though he lost a fumble in the third quarter that led to one of Josh Scobee's three field goals. Peterson, who tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments last Christmas Eve, had 17 of Minnesota's 29 runs.

Gabbert went 23 for 39 for 260 yards and two scores, but he dropped a snap in the third quarter that was recovered at the Jaguars 44 by Kevin Williams to set up Peterson's second touchdown run. His Superman-like leap over the line from 2 yards gave the Vikings a 14-9 lead he celebrated with a somersault up from the turf.

Peterson's first carry was unremarkable in style, a simple 4-yard gain after a stutter step at the line of scrimmage. But the crowd realized the significance and applauded Peterson almost as loudly as they did when he sprinted out of the tunnel during the pregame introduction.

"I got up and knew it was going to be a pretty good day," Peterson said.

At the end of a rough first half, going almost an hour between first downs, the Vikings were suddenly within 9-7 after Peterson's first touchdown.

"I told him afterward: `I'm not sure you weren't just faking that ACL,'" Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "He looked pretty good to me."

Gabbert showed more good than bad. But despite some tough inside running by Maurice Jones-Drew, who skipped training camp in protest over his contract, the Jaguars had too many stalled drives. Vikings rookie Matt Kalil blocked Scobee's extra point in the second quarter, too.

Jones-Drew, who was also supposed to be in a limited role, gained 77 yards on 19 carries for the Jaguars because starter Rashad Jennings hurt his knee.

"I still think he's got some work to do, but I think he's pretty proud of the way he picked up the system," Mularkey said.

Down the hall, the Vikings couldn't have been more proud of the way Peterson readied himself after months of grueling rehabilitation.

"It changes the game," Ponder said. "He ran with a purpose today. He was so dynamic."

NOTES: Peterson passed Robert Smith into first place on Minnesota's all-time rushing list, with 6,836 yards in his 74th career game. The Vikings showed a videotaped congratulatory message from Smith, who played eight seasons for the Vikings, on the scoreboard. ... Jennings had 31 yards on eight carries. Mularkey said his injury wasn't serious. ... Attendance was announced at 56,607, ending Minnesota's sellout streak that began in 1998. But the Vikings used a new NFL rule this year to lower their sales mark to 90 percent for avoiding a local TV blackout. ... The Vikings are 4-1 all-time vs. the Jaguars, losing here in 2001. This was their first season opener since 2007 at home, where they went 1-7 last year.

___

Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DaveCampbellAP

___

Online: and

Links:

http://pro32.ap.org/poll
http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Also on HuffPost:

Loading Slideshow...

  • Pittsburgh Steelers v Denver Broncos

    DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meet at mid field after the Broncos defeated the Steelers 31-19 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 9, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

  • Tom Brady, Karl Klug, Mike Martin

    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles away from Tennessee Titans' Mike Martin (93) and Karl Klug (97) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Patriots won 34-13. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Cam Newton

    Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton throws a pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

  • Michael Vick

    Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick tosses a ball to a fan after a 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

  • San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith (99) sacks Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

  • Donovan Briggans

    Referee Donovan Briggans (12) seperates Detroit Lions defensive tackle Corey Williams, left, from St. Louis Rams fullback Brit Miller as Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) tries to get up from the field after the final play of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. Detroit won 27-23. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh argues a call with referee David White during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • Ronde Barber

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber (20), making his 200th career start for the Buccaneers, carries the team flag onto the field before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

  • Adrian Peterson

    Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson celebrates as he run off the field after his team's 26-23 overtime win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)

  • Andrew Luck

    Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) watches from the bench in the closing minutes of the Colts' 41-21 loss to the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

  • A New Orleans Saints fan holds an image of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

  • Drew Brees

    New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

  • Matt Ryan

    Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes to running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. The Falcons won the game 40-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

  • Larry Fitzgerald, K.J. Wright

    Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in a pass as Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright (50) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

  • Cam Newton, Aqib Talib

    Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib (25) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

  • Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is seen during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • Russell Wilson, Reggie Walker

    Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) escapes the reach of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Reggie Walker (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

  • Green Bay Packers' Jermichael Finley celebrates after a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • San Francisco 49ers' Donte Whitner (31) and Perrish Cox (20) break up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers' Jermichael Finley (88) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers is congratulated by teammates after kicking a 63-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. Akers tied an NFL record with the 63-yard field goal.(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • Dwight Lowery, Chris Kluwe, Blair Walsh

    Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Dwight Lowery (25) sits on the field as Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe (5), left, congratulates kicker Blair Walsh (3) on his go-ahead field goal during overtime in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 26-23. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

  • Robert Griffin III, Spike Lee

    Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) poses for a photo with director Spike Lee, center, after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

  • Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma

    New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith (91) shakes hands with linebacker Jonathan Vilma in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Saints won 40-32. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

  • Cortland Finnegan

    St. Louis Rams defensive back Cortland Finnegan walks to the locker room after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. Detroit won 27-23. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • San Francisco 49ers' Randy Moss reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • Art Modell is seen on the scoreboard at Lambeau Field during a moment of silence before the first half of an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

  • Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow

    New York Jets quarterbacks Mark Sanchez, left, and Tim Tebow celebrate after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Brian Moorman

    Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman watches his team play against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

  • Kevin Vickerson, Derek Wolfe, Ben Roethlisberger

    Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is pressured by Denver Broncos defensive tackle Derek Wolfe (95) and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson (99) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

  • Peyton Manning

    Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

  • Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews (52) reacts after sacking San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. The 49ers won 30-22. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

  • Kevin Kolb

    Arizona Cardinals' Kevin Kolb tosses a hat into the stands in celebration leading the Cardinals win over the Seattle Seahawks after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 20-16. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • A Seattle Seahawks fan watches the closing moments of their loss to the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 20-16.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • John Skelton, Larry Fitzgerald

    Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, right, pauses as he puts a hand on injured quarterback John Skelton, on ground, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 20-16. Skelton was carted off the field and replaced by Kevin Kolb. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

  • Steve Smith, Ronde Barber

    Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber (20) after a reception during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won 16-10. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

  • Aqib Talib, Brad Nortman

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib (25) blocks a fourth-quarter punt by Carolina Panthers punter Brad Nortman (8) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers recovered the punt. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)

  • Curtis Martin

    Hall of Famer Curtis Martin poses with his bust as he is honored at halftime of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Tom Brady

    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches from the sideline in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots won 34-13. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

  • Tim Jennings

    Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) reacts after his second interception against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. The Bears defeated the Colts 41-21. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Planes fly over Lambeau Field after the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • Rodger Saffold

    St. Louis Rams tackle Rodger Saffold (76) is loaded into an ambulance after getting injured in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Sept, 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

  • Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers waits to be introduced before the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

  • Josh Wilson, Marques Colston

    Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson (26) breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

  • Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew

    Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, right, hugs Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew after his team's 26-23 overtime victory in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)

  • Ryan Tannehill, Tim Jamison, Earl Mitchell, Brooks Reed

    Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Tim Jamison (96) as Brooks Reed (58) and Earl Mitchell (92) join the tackle during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 30-10. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Alshon Jeffery, Vontae Davis

    Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) makes a 42-yard touchdown reception past Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

  • Rodger Saffold

    St. Louis Rams guard Robert Turner (59) kneels as team officials help tackle Rodger Saffold after he sustained an injury during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

  • Stevan Ridley, Robert Johnson

    New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) moves past Tennessee Titans defensive back Robert Johnson (32) in the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Stephen Hill

    New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill, left, scores a touchdown during the first second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. Bills cornerback Aaron Williams, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

  • J.J. Watt

    Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)