Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions: Third Quarter Open Thread

The second quarter of play started with the Detroit Lions behind the eight ball in a 1st-and-20 situation, one that quickly turned into a 2nd-and-25 after an incompletion and a false start penalty. The Lions got a big chunk of it back on an improvised play from Matthew Stafford to Joique Bell, but could not convert on third down again and put up their fourth consecutive three-and-out. The punt from Sam Martin was fair caught by Marcus Sherels at the Minnesota 25, and that's where the Vikings started their first drive of the second quarter.

The Vikings quickly found themselves in Detroit territory again, as Teddy Bridgewater found Charles Johnson on a quick slant that Johnson turned into a 40-yard gain to the Detroit 31-yard line. Four plays later, the Vikings found themselves with a first-and-goal situation again, as another big pass from Bridgewater to Greg Jennings moved Minnesota down to the 8-yard line. On the next play, Bridgewater found Jennings again for an 8-yard touchdown, and the Blair Walsh extra point gave the Vikings a 14-0 lead.

On their next drive, starting at the 20 after a touchback, the Lions managed to generate their first first down of the afternoon, but couldn't manage any more than that as the Vikings defense stood tall again, forcing another Sam Martin punt. Marcus Sherels called for the fair catch at the Minnesota 29, and that's where the Vikings took over.

After a quick screen and a slant to Jarius Wright, the Vikings found themselves at midfield once again. Unfortunately, on third down Bridgewater dropped back to pass and was looking for Charles Johnson, but instead found Lions' safety Glover Quin at the Minnesota 33. Quin broke off a huge return, and took it all the way back to the Minnesota 11-yard line, giving the Lions their first real break of the afternoon.

It didn't take Detroit long to take advantage, as on their second play, Matthew Stafford hit Golden Tate with a short pass, and Tate burst into the end zone for a score. Matt Prater's extra point cut the Minnesota lead to 14-7 with 3:42 left in the half.

The Vikings started out at their own 20 after a touchback, and Bridgewater once again made a bad decision on a pass, and he was intercepted by Darius Slay on a play where he was going for Greg Jennings. Slay went down at the Minnesota 32-yard line, and the Lions were in business once again.

The Vikings' defense got it together again after the interception, as the Lions moved the ball to the Minnesota 11-yard line. Matt Prater came in to attempt a 29-yard field goal, and he hit it to cut the Minnesota lead to 14-10 going into the locker room.

Teddy Bridgewater was having a great first half until the two interceptions. He finished the first two quarters 15-for-20 for 189 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Matt Asiata is "leading" the Vikings in rushing with six carries for 23 yards and a touchdown. Bridgewater has spread the ball around nicely, as four different receivers (Charles Johnson, Greg Jennings, Kyle Rudolph, and Matt Asiata) have three receptions thus far, with Johnson leading the way with 65 yards and Jennings collecting the touchdown.

For Detroit, it hasn't been pretty offensively. Matthew Stafford is 9-of-16 so far for just 58 yards. Joique Bell is the Lions' leading rusher with 13 yards on four carries, and Golden Tate is leading Detroit in receiving with five catches for 23 yards and a score.

We're getting ready for the third quarter of play with the Minnesota Vikings leading the Detroit Lions by a score of 14-10 at Ford Field. Can the Vikings hold onto the lead and score a sizeable upset?