Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Fourth Quarter Open Thread

The Detroit Lions got the ball to begin the second half of the Metrodome finale against the Minnesota Vikings, and put together their best drive of the game by far. A couple of big passes to former Vikings receiver Nate Burleson pushed the ball down to the Minnesota 25-yard line, and Reggie Bush took the ball into the red zone. After that, we got a flashback to the season opener as Bush took a screen pass from Matthew Stafford and made multiple Vikings miss en route to the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown reception, tying the score at 7-7.

Then the Lions burned a time out on the extra point because they had too many players on the field. Yeah. Not sure why you wouldn't just take the penalty there.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Lions attempted to kick it short, but the ball found its way into the hands of Cordarrelle Patterson anyway, and the 20-yard return allowed the dynamic rookie to pass Buster Rhymes for the most kick return yards in a season in Minnesota Vikings' history. He now has 1,362 return yards on the season, passing Rhymes' mark of 1,345 set in 1985. Congratulations to him on that mark.

The Vikings picked up a first down on the next drive, but a sack on Cassel stopped the Vikings' momentum, and Jeff Locke pinned the Lions down at their own 17-yard line. The Lions pushed into Minnesota territory, but Jared Allen got his second sack of the afternoon and, after a third down gain, the Lions had 4th-and-4 from the Minnesota 34-yard line. David Akers came in to attempt a 52-yard field goal that he missed wide right, but Shawn Prater was called for offsides, giving the Lions a free first down.

That's where we stand going into the final quarter of the final game at the Metrodome, ladies and gentlemen. Can the Vikings sent the old house out with a victory? Let's watch it together and find out.