Vikings Beat 49ers With Big Plays, 17-14 : NFC: Anthony Carter makes several spectacular catches that help Minnesota drop San Francisco to 1-2.

Last week, Minnesota wide receiver Cris Carter provided the Vikings with the big plays that helped them to a victory.

On Sunday, the heroics belonged to the other Minnesota wide receiver named Carter, Anthony Carter, who was instrumental in the Vikings’ 17-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Carter, his left knee within inches of the turf, bounced off safety Johnnie Jackson and turned a short pass from Wade Wilson into a 46-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to tie the score, 7-7. He also made a diving catch to set up Herschel Walker’s go-ahead touchdown and ran 32 yards on a reverse that helped the Vikings (2-1) run out the clock.

“I doubt very seriously that anybody called the San Francisco players this week and asked them what it was like playing against A.C. and our receivers,” Viking cornerback Carl Lee said. “Not taking anything away from (San Francisco receiver Jerry) Rice, but it’s obvious we’ve got some great receivers, too. A.C.’s a great player. He knows how to win.”

The last time the Vikings were 2-1 after three games was 1988, when they finished 11-5--their best record since 1976, their last Super Bowl season. Minnesota was 0-4 against San Francisco since upsetting the 49ers in the 1987 playoffs.

Carter starred in the Vikings’ 1987 postseason win, making several spectacular plays while catching 10 passes for 227 yards. He had three receptions for 71 yards on Sunday and added 41 yards on two reverses.

Rice caught touchdown passes of 15 and 21 yards from Steve Young, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 275 yards.

The 49ers haven’t been 1-2 in a non-strike year since 1981, when they rebounded to go 13-3 and win their first of four Super Bowls.

The Vikings trailed, 7-0, and faced a third-and-15 when Carter caught Wilson’s pass at San Francisco’s 40 and angled toward the right sideline. Carter was stopped momentarily by Jackson at the 30, but using his left hand for balance, Carter managed to keep his knees from touching the turf. He then raced down the sideline for the touchdown 2:49 into the second quarter.

After Audray McMillian intercepted a pass by Young at the goal line, the Vikings went 98 yards in 13 plays to take the lead for good. Carter had a nine-yard run on the drive and caught a 14-yard pass to the one-yard line. Walker went over the top on the next play for his first touchdown of the season.

Wilson completed 17 of 24 passes for 199 yards.

Young was victimized by several dropped passes, including two by Rice.