Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats On Dec 11, 2011

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 11, 2011

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and the Detroit Lions came up with a goal-line stand late to post a 34-28 victory over the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Stephen Tulloch recovered a fumble in the end zone and Alphonso Smith returned one of his two interceptions 30 yards for a score for Detroit (8-5), which ended a two-game skid and increased its chances of reaching the postseason for the first time since 1999 despite a shaky ending.

Detroit scored 24 points off three turnovers in the first half and led 31-14 at intermission. The Lions, however, nearly let the 17-point led slip away.

The Vikings (2-11), playing without star running back Adrian Peterson for a third straight game, suffered their fifth straight loss. They made it interesting at the end, though, as second-year pro Joe Webb replaced rookie Christian Ponder early in the second half and nearly led a stunning comeback.

Webb drove the Vikings to the Lions’ 1-yard line with nine seconds left, but Cliff Avril burst through the line and stripped him. Time expired as both teams hastily chased after the bouncing ball.

Webb’s 65-yard touchdown run cut the Lions’ lead to 31-21 with 4:21 left in the third, and he drew Minnesota closer with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Toby Gerhart with just under eight minutes to play.

It was a shocking turn of events after the Lions posted their highest scoring first half in 26 years.

Detroit's defense set the tone early as Avril stripped Ponder on Minnesota’s first play from scrimmage and Tulloch recovered in the end zone.

Smith’s first interception on the next series set up Stafford's 57-yard touchdown pass to rookie Titus Young.

Smith then made it 28-7 with a 30-yard interception return. Jason Hanson kicked a 30-yard field goal after Lorenzo Booker fumbled deep in his own territory and Detroit led 31-14 at the half.