Matt Cassel

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Now that Matt Cassel has grabbed hold of the starting quarterback spot in Minnesota, the Vikings can only ponder what might have been had he taken over sooner.

The Philadelphia Eagles were soaring after a big win in the snow the week before. This game was inside. Adrian Peterson was missing. The stage was set for another step toward the playoffs. Well, Matt Cassel and the Minnesota Vikings just made the flight path a bit bumpier.

The Vikings would have loved to remember Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens for the experience of playing — and winning — in the snow. Instead, Minnesota absorbed another painful defeat, 29-26, and lost running back Adrian Peterson to a foot injury. The Vikings also were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sunday's game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests.

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback carousel goes round and round.

Adrian Peterson thought his Minnesota Vikings had won and lost the game against Chicago about three times during a dizzying, exhilarating overtime. Peterson carried the ball 35 times for 211 yards and Blair Walsh kicked a 34-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Vikings to a wild 23-20 victory over the Bears on Sunday.

The quarterback carousel hasn't stopped turning for the Vikings and it seems to spin more wildly out of control each week. After an awful debut on Monday night, Josh Freeman reported to team headquarters this week with concussion-like symptoms. Step right up, Christian Ponder. It's your turn to hop on for another ride when the Vikings host the Packers.

Your turn, Josh Freeman. Freeman was named the latest starting quarterback for the scuffling Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. Freeman's second week with the team will culminate on Monday night with him leading the offense against the New York Giants.

The Carolina Panthers were sympathetic to Adrian Peterson's grief. They weren't going to take it easy on him, though. Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the Panthers romped past the mourning running back and the Minnesota Vikings 35-10.

The Minnesota Vikings have waived quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to make room for new quarterback Josh Freeman on the roster.