NFL: Detroit Lions get the better of NFC North rivals Minnesota Vikings
Monday 13 October 2014 00:02, UK
Detroit Lions improved to 4-2 on the season following a 17-3 success over NFC North rivals Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s early live contest on Sky Sports.
The Lions went ahead on the opening drive of the game, Theo Riddick catching Matthew Stafford’s pass from nine yards out to give the visitors an early 7-0 advantage.
The Vikings’ hopes of an immediate response ended when rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater was picked off by Glover Quin in the end zone, though Matt Prater missed a 50-yard field goal to try and extend the Lions’ lead.
Detroit did, however, add a field goal before half time when Prater connected with a 52-yard attempt as the Lions capitalised on Bridgewater's second interception of the game.
Turnovers continued to hurt the Vikings in the second half as Bridgewater’s pass attempt was tipped, allowing Tahir Whitehead to make a comfortable catch, making it three picks by the Detroit defence.
The Lions failed to capitalise as Prater’s field goal struck the upright, his second miss from three field-goal attempts.
Yet on their next drive Detroit bagged a second touchdown; Joique Bell kept the drive alive by converting a short fourth-down attempt and it was the Lions running back who then added the six-pointer when he went in from just a yard out.
Minnesota avoided being shut out for the first time since November 2007 when Blair Walsh slotted over a 40-yard field goal with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Although the Vikings had plenty of possession late on they were unable to get the ball into the end zone. The defeat sees them drop to 2-4 for the season.
