Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Fourth Quarter Open Thread

To start the second half of this one, the Detroit Lions got the ball first, trailing the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 17-10. Detroit started at the 20-yard line after a Blair Walsh touchback, and picked up a quick first down to Calvin Johnson. Then, Stafford completed a quick pass to Joique Bell, and Captain Munnerlyn stripped the ball out of his hands. The fumble was recovered by Andrew Sendejo, who took the ball all the way down to the Detroit 6-yard line for the Vikings' first possession of the second half.

Unfortunately, the euphoria was short-lived, as on the very next play Adrian Peterson coughed up the ball, and it went back to Detroit at their own 11-yard line. Peterson didn't make much of an effort to secure the ball, and it got knocked out by James Ihedigbo for the fumble that was recovered by the Lions.

The Vikings forced the Lions into a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and Marcus Sherels. . .who may or may not still be on the roster bubble. . .returned the punt to inside the Detroit 35-yard line. A pass to Mike Wallace and a run by Adrian Peterson pushed the Vikings down to the Detroit 11-yard line in fairly short order, and a scramble by Bridgewater put the ball on the Lions' 1-yard line for first and goal.

Unfortunately, the euphoria was short-lived, as on the very next play Adrian Peterson coughed up the ball and it went back to Detroit. . .BUT an offside penalty on the Lions gave the Vikings the ball back inside the 1. And, just for fun, they decided to hand the ball to Zach Line instead, giving him his first ever regular season touchdown on his first regular season NFL carry and extending the Vikings' lead to 23-10 after Blair Walsh missed the extra point.

The Lions started the ensuing drive at their own 21, and picked up a big chunk on their first play as Stafford found Johnson for 18 yards. Detroit closed in on the midfield stripe, but the Lions fumbled the ball again, this one by Theo Riddick. Harrison Smith ripped the ball loose, and Shamar Stephen was in position to fall on it for the fumble recovery, giving them possession at their own 47-yard line.

The Vikings didn't do much with the fumble, and Jeff Locke's punt pinned the Lions inside their 10-yard line. Detroit picked up a couple of first downs, but were forced to punt the ball back to the Vikings. Sherels got blasted on the punt return, but held on to give the Vikings the ball at their own 18.

As we start the fourth quarter of play, the Vikings are looking at a 2nd-and-6 from their own 22-yard line, holding a 23-10 lead over the Lions. Can they hang on for their first victory of the season?