Once again, the Minnesota Vikings have given up an early touchdown when the defense was nowhere to be found.
After allowing one first down to the Lions on their first series, Minnesota forced a punt that was taken at the 9-yard line. On the Vikings' first play from scrimmage, Christian Ponder faked a handoff to Toby Gerhart and dropped back to pass, and Lions' defensive end Cliff Avril beat Phil Loadholt like a drum around the right edge. Avril got to Ponder and forced a fumble that wound up bouncing into the end zone. Stephen Tulloch jumped on the fumble in the end zone, and the Lions had an early touchdown.
This is the second game in a row that the Vikings' offense has surrendered a touchdown early, as last week the Denver Broncos got an interception for a score for their first score in Minneapolis.
We have 12:56 left in the first quarter, and the Detroit Lions have already staked themselves to a 7-0 lead.