The Minnesota Vikings needed a spark, and they got one from their defense.

On 2nd and 9 from the Detroit 36-yard line, Jared Allen actually dropped back into coverage rather than rushing Shaun Hill. Hill dropped back to pass, threw in the direction of tight end Brandon Pettigrew. . .and, instead, hit Allen right between the 6 and the 9 on his jersey. Allen grabbed the pass, took off for the left sideline, and took the ball 36 yards for a touchdown for Minnesota.

If the Vikings are going to get back into this thing, that’s exactly the sort of play they need to make, and continue to make.

With six minutes left to go in the third quarter, the Vikings have cut into Detroit’s lead, 13-7.