Minneapolis ? After opening the season with five wins against weak opponents, the Minnesota Vikings looked at Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos as a credibility test.

Well, they sure passed.

Daunte Culpepper threw for 277 yards in his return at quarterback, the defense knocked Steve Beuerlein out of the game, and the Vikings beat Denver, 28-20, Sunday.

“We have to be better before we can beat some of these teams we’re playing in the coming weeks,” coach Mike Tice said. “But that feels pretty good.”

Randy Moss had 10 receptions for 151 yards, and his lateral to Moe Williams on the final play of the first half led to a 59-yard score for the Vikings (6-0).

Minnesota’s first five opponents came against teams with a combined record of 8-20 entering Sunday.

The Broncos, whose only other defeat came by a point against unbeaten Kansas City, provided the Vikings’ toughest challenge to date.

Denver (5-2) nearly rallied behind third-string quarterback Danny Kanell, who went 12-for-18 for 104 yards and a touchdown in place of the injured Beuerlein.

“Danny did a good job. If he did a great job, we would’ve won,” wide receiver Rod Smith said.

Clinton Portis ran 25 times for 117 yards and a touchdown in addition to three catches for 43 yards for the Broncos, who trailed, 28-7, midway through the third quarter.

Minnesota defensive ends Lance Johnstone, left, and Kevin Williams, right, sack Denver Broncos quarterback Steve Beuerlein for a seven-yard loss during the first quarter. The Vikings edged the Broncos, 28-20, Sunday in Minneapolis.

Beuerlein, playing in place of injured starter Jake Plummer, completed nine of 19 passes for 119 yards and three interceptions before leaving in the third quarter because of a dislocated finger on his throwing hand. He was sacked five times.

“It felt like they blitzed us about every other snap,” Smith said.

That’s what Vikings defensive coordinator George O’Leary wanted. His aggressive approach has helped a unit that ranked 26th in the league last season and 27th the year before.

“Anytime you win against a good team like Denver and you know what you have to work on leaving the building, you’re in good shape,” O’Leary said.

Onterrio Smith ran for a score, and Lance Johnstone returned an interception for a touchdown for Minnesota, which leads the league with 16 interceptions. Brian Russell has an NFL-high six.

“They’re a team that’s been able to take the ball away all year,” said Denver coach Mike Shanahan.

Jason Elam’s second 46-yard field goal cut the lead to 28-13 early in the fourth quarter. Kanell threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Mike Anderson to make it 28-20 with 6:45 left after an interference call on Denard Walker in the end zone gave the Broncos first-and-goal.

Minnesota kicker Aaron Elling has been bothered by back spasms, and the Vikings went for it on fourth-and-three at the Denver 32. Kelly Campbell was open down the sideline, but dropped the would-be TD pass, and the Vikings turned the ball over with 3:24 remaining.

The Broncos had first-and-10 at the Vikings 30, but the drive stalled there. Johnstone, who also was credited with 11/2 sacks, broke up Kanell’s fourth-down pass at the line of scrimmage.

“Danny came out and brought us back,” said Shanahan, now down to one healthy quarterback. “He’s going to have to lead the team.”

Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper prepares to hand off in his return to the lineup after missing two games because of injuries. Culpepper threw for 277 yards and two TDs Sunday.

Culpepper, who broke several bones in his back on a hit in the second quarter against Detroit Sept. 21, looked as spry as usual — though he was off target on a handful of long throws.

He finished 19-for-26 with two touchdowns, one to Campbell in the first quarter.

“I feel great,” Culpepper said. “On a scale of one to 10, I feel like I’m a dime.”

Portis ran in from four yards out at the two-minute warning to tie the game at 7, but Moss’ amazing play swung the momentum back to Minnesota.

The Vikings drove to Denver’s 45, then were pushed back by two sacks. Culpepper rolled out as the clock expired and flung a pass in the air to Moss, who caught the ball near the 20 and was about to be tackled at the 15.

He tossed the ball blindly over his back, and Williams caught it and streaked in for the touchdown to make it 14-7. The play was reviewed and upheld as a backward lateral.

Titans 37, Panthers 17

Charlotte, N.C. — Carolina picked up its first loss by losing four fumbles that led to scores. Steve McNair threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and Keith Bullock scored on a 35-yard fumble recovery for Tennessee (5-2).

Eagles 14, Giants 10

East Rutherford, N.J. — Brian Westbrook scored on an 84-yard punt return with 1:16 to play for the Eagles (3-3). Until the return, the Giants’ defense dominated the game between the two struggling NFC East teams. It had limited Donovan McNabb and the Eagles to 134 yards and one second-half first down.

Chargers 26, Browns 20

Cleveland — LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 200 yards and a touchdown, helping San Diego end a nine-game losing streak that dated to last season. Steve Christie kicked field goals of 44, 50, 43 and 32 yards, and Kansas University product Kwaime Lassiter returned an interception 38 yards for a TD for the Chargers (1-5), who entered as the NFL’s lone winless team.

Patriots 19, Dolphins 13, OT

Miami — Tom Brady hit Troy Brown on an 82-yard scoring play in overtime for the Patriots (5-2), who moved atop the AFC East. New England ended and 0-for-13 skid at Miami (4-2) in September and October. The Dolphins had two chances to win the game. But Olindo Mare had a field-goal attempt blocked near the end of regulation and missed another one in overtime.

Bengals 34, Ravens 26

Cincinnati — Baltimore rookie QB Kyle Boller fumbled twice and threw an interception, setting up a 24-point swing that allowed Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis beat the team he helped win a Super Bowl as defensive coordinator.

Cowboys 38, Lions 7

Detroit — Terry Glenn caught three first-half touchdown passes to help Dallas (5-1) matched its win total from each of the past three seasons. Under new coach Bill Parcells, the Cowboys have won five straight games for the first time since 1994.

Rams 34, Packers 24

St. Louis — Marc Bulger threw three touchdown passes, and Isaac Bruce became the 18th player in NFL history to top 10,000 yards receiving as St. Louis improved to 4-2. Brett Favre threw two touchdown passes for Green Bay (3-4), but his effort at a comeback fizzled.

Saints 45, Falcons 17

Atlanta — Aaron Brooks threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, and Deuce McAllister scored twice to lead New Orleans (3-4). Atlanta — blown out 36-0 by St. Louis Monday night — fell behind 35-14 at the half by giving up a staggering 369 yards. New Orleans finished with 507 yards.

49ers 24, Buccaneers 7

San Francisco — Terrell Owens made a 75-yard scoring romp through Tampa Bay’s defense, and Garrison Hearst ran for 117 yards and a touchdown to lead San Francisco (3-4). Owens had six catches for 152 yards, but he also dropped two potential TD passes in the second half.

Seahawks 24, Bears 17

Seattle — Shaun Alexander’s 25-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left lifted Seattle to the best start in franchise history, 5-1. Alexander gained 101 yards on 21 carries, scoring twice.

Bills 24, Redskins 7

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Travis Henry ran for a career-high 167 yards and scored twice, and Josh Reed had eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown for Buffalo (4-3). The Redskins (3-4) lost their third straight.

Jets 19, Texans 14

Houston — Vinny Testaverde led New York (2-4) on a long drive in the waning minutes to set up an eight-yard TD run by LaMont Jordan with 1:21 left.