Walker Puts Vikings in Position for Win : Interconference: His 58-yard touchdown run sets the stage for game-winning field goal against the Seahawks.

Herschel Walker has come under criticism from NFL observers and even some of his Minnesota Viking teammates this season for failing to use his full ability.

But Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Walker answered his critics by scoring on a 58-yard run with 2:28 left in the Vikings’ 24-21 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Fuad Reveiz kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired to give the Vikings (4-6) their third consecutive victory.

“I think for the first time this season, the ball is beginning to bounce our way,” Minnesota Coach Jerry Burns said.

Walker gained 99 yards in 16 carries, his best day of the season. The 58-yard scoring run was his longest run of any kind this season and only his second touchdown. His longest previous run was 21 yards.

“Herschel looked like Superman on that play, didn’t he?” Viking quarterback Rich Gannon said. “That was the play of the game.”

Said Walker: “After I got into their secondary, I didn’t think anyone was going to catch me. I thought I was going to go all the way.”

Reveiz’s game-winning field goal came after Dave Krieg’s pass bounced off receiver Paul Skansi to Minnesota’s Joey Browner at the Seattle 36 with 1:59 left.

“I knew I didn’t have the yardage for a first down, so I tried to get upfield before I had the ball,” Skansi said.

The Vikings moved to the Seattle seven in six plays, including an 11-yard third-down pass from Gannon to Walker, before Reveiz gave the Vikings the win.

Reveiz, who was released by San Diego this season, was signed as a free agent two weeks ago after the Vikings’ regular kicker, Donald Igwebuike, was indicted on charges of heroin trafficking.

“You feel good when you do something like that,” said Reveiz. “But I was nervous.”

Walker was limited to 38 yards in 13 carries in the first 57 minutes before breaking loose for his game-tying touchdown on a third-and-two play.

Derrick Fenner gave the Seahawks a 21-14 lead when he scored on a one-yard run with 7:02 left.

The Seahawks (4-6) thought they let the Vikings back into the game after they had to punt from their 24.

“You need to be able to get a first down when you need it and we didn’t accomplish that,” Krieg said.

The Seahawks also blew a chance to break a 14-14 tie early in the third quarter after a Rufus Porter recovered a fumble by Gannon at the Vikings’ 15 after a sack by defensive end Jacob Green.

Two holding penalties and three incomplete passes pushed the Seahawks back to the 36-yard-line, and Norm Johnson’s 53-yard field goal attempt was short.