GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NFL: DETROIT (6-5) at MINNESOTA (5-6)

NFL: DETROIT (6-5) at MINNESOTA (5-6)

<h3>Vikings could have Peterson back against Lions</h3>







Detroit (6-5) at Minnesota (5-6) 1:00 pm EST


MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Suddenly, the Minnesota Vikings are verymuch alive in the NFC playoff picture.


Those playoff hopes could get a further boost, as the Vikingsexpect to have rookie running back Adrian Peterson in the lineupfor Sunday's NFC North contest against the Detroit Lions.

This suddenly is a big game. The Vikings can tie the Lions forsecond place in the division with a victory.


Four weeks ago, Minnesota's playoff hopes seemed dim after theVikings dropped to 2-5 following a 23-16 loss to thePhiladelphia Eagles on October 28.


Since then, however, Minnesota has won three of four, includinglast week's stunning 41-17 win over the New York Giants in whichthe Vikings returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

The Lions have been heading in an opposite direction, havingdropped three in a row, including a 37-26 loss to the Green BayPackers on Thanksgiving.


Now, Detroit might have to face Peterson, who still leads theNFL in rushing despite sitting out the last two games with atorn lateral collateral ligament suffered at Green Bay onNovember 11.


Peterson underwent a follow-up MRI exam on his right kneeMonday, and Vikings coach Brad Childress was encouraged.

"It shows excellent healing in there," Childress said.

The Vikings overcame Peterson's absence to win a pair of gamesas Chester Taylor filled in capably. Taylor rushed for 164yards two weeks ago against the Oakland Raiders, then added 77yards against the Giants.


Minnesota will be looking to avenge a 20-17 Week Two overtimeloss at Detroit. In that game, the Lions held to Peterson to 66yards.


Taylor likely will get a third straight start Sunday, asChildress eases Peterson back into the lineup.


"You're not going to go back there and turn over the whole loadto him (Peterson)," Childress said.

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 0
MINNESOTA 0 14:56 LEFT, 1ST QTR

DET BALL ON DET 18 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 0
MINNESOTA 0 12:41 LEFT, 1ST QTR

MIN BALL ON MIN 13 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TD MIN
CHESTER TAYLOR 2 YD RUN
(RYAN LONGWELL KICK)

DETROIT 0
MINNESOTA 7 7:24 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 0
MINNESOTA 7 7:16 LEFT, 1ST QTR

DET BALL ON DET 40 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL FG DET
JASON HANSON 37 YD

DETROIT 3
MINNESOTA 7 1:57 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 3
MINNESOTA 7 1:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR

MIN BALL ON MIN 16 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL END, 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DETROIT 3 3
MINNESOTA 7 7 END, 1ST QTR

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER: MIN - TD, CHESTER TAYLOR 2 YD RUN (RYAN
LONGWELL KICK), 7:36. Drive: 9
plays, 87 yards in 5:17. Key plays:
Taylor 15-yard run on 3rd-and-14 to
Minnesota 24; Jackson 12-yard pass
to Wade to Minnesota 36; Jackson
17-yard pass to Wade to Detroit 44;
Peterson 28-yard run to Detroit 16;
Taylor 14-yard run to Detroit 2.
MINNESOTA 7-0
DET - FG, JASON HANSON 37 YD, 13:03. Drive:
11 plays, 42 yards in 5:27. Key
plays: Cason 35-yard kickoff return
to Detroit 40; Kitna 6-yard pass to
Walter on 3rd-and-3 to Minnesota
36; Kitna 11-yard pass to KJones to
Minnesota 25. MINNESOTA 7-3</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TD MIN
ADRIAN PETERSON 16 YD RUN
(RYAN LONGWELL KICK)

DETROIT 3
MINNESOTA 14 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 3
MINNESOTA 14 11:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR

DET BALL ON DET 27 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TD DET
CASEY FITZSIMMONS 1 YD PASS FROM JON KITNA
(JASON HANSON KICK)

DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 14 9:37 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TD MIN
AUNDRAE ALLISON 103 YD KICKOFF RETURN
(RYAN LONGWELL KICK)

DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 21 9:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 21 9:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR

DET BALL ON DET 26 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 21 7:48 LEFT, 2ND QTR

MIN BALL ON MIN 48 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TD MIN
BOBBY WADE 6 YD PASS FROM TARVARIS JACKSON
(RYAN LONGWELL KICK)

DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 28 2:17 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 28 2:09 LEFT, 2ND QTR

DET BALL ON DET 26 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TWO MINUTE WARNING, 1ST HALF

DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 28

DET BALL ON DET 35 YD LINE
2ND AND 1</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 28 0:53 LEFT, 2ND QTR

MIN BALL ON DET 27 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL TD MIN
SIDNEY RICE 2 YD PASS FROM TARVARIS JACKSON
(RYAN LONGWELL KICK)

DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 35 0:05 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NFL: DETROIT at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NFL
DETROIT 10
MINNESOTA 35 0:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR

DET BALL ON DET 30 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>