Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Third Quarter Open Thread

Going into the second quarter of play at U.S. Bank Stadium, a field goal by Matt Prater accounted for the only points on the board, as the Minnesota Vikings found themselves trailing the Detroit Lions by a score of 3-0. The Vikings started the second quarter in Detroit territory, and managed to come away with a field goal of their own as Blair Walsh connected from 33 yards out to tie the score at 3-3.

On Detroit's next drive, Danielle Hunter got tremendous pressure on Matthew Stafford, and the Lions' signal caller threw his first interception in five games, as he was picked off by Chad Greenway. Greenway returned the ball to the Detroit 19-yard line, and it looked like the Vikings were in business. However, the offense threw it in reverse from there, as a combination of penalties and sacks pushed them all the way back to the 40-yard line, out of field goal range. Jeff Locke came on to punt, and didn't do a great job, only getting away a 24-yarder to put the Lions at their own 16-yard line.

Detroit picked up a couple of first downs on their next drive and got the ball close to midfield. It looked like the Vikings had the Lions stopped, but a penalty on Xavier Rhodes for hands to the face allowed the visitors to extend their drive. Following the penalty, the Lions made their way into Minnesota territory, nickel and diming their way towards the end zone. Detroit then hit a big play, as Matthew Stafford found tight end Eric Ebron for a 20-yard gain down to the Minnesota 5-yard line. The Lions got a holding penalty on Mackensie Alexander to set up first-and-goal from the 1, and Stafford then found Anquan Boldin for a touchdown with just five seconds left on the clock. Prater hit the extra point, and the Lions went into the locker room with a 10-3 lead.

The Lions' drive that ended with a touchdown wound up lasting nearly ten minutes and was officially a 17-play drive. The Lions converted several third downs on the drive and got help from several penalties, including the penalty on Rhodes that would have forced a punt on a third-and-10.

Looking at the stat sheet, it hasn't been all that bad for the Vikings. Sam Bradford has completed 11-of-15 passes for 84 yards and has been sacked once. Stefon Diggs has been the main target thus far, as he's collected five catches for 29 yards, while Cordarrelle Patterson has chipped in with two catches for 22 yards. Ronnie Hillman has given the Vikings something that resembles a running game, carrying the ball five times for 25 yards. Vikings' rookie Laquon Treadwell recorded the first catch of his career in the first half, a 15-yard grab.

For the Lions, Matthew Stafford has completed 13-of-17 passes for 85 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Eric Ebron has done most of the damage through the air for the Detroit offense, as he's caught four passes for 55 yards. Theo Riddick has six carries for 53 yards, although 42 of those came on one carry. Dwayne Washington has contributed 23 yards on seven carries.

We're at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium, ladies and gentlemen, and the Minnesota Vikings find themselves trailing the Detroit Lions by a score of 10-3. Can they turn it around in the second half?