Special teams are an often underrated part of the game, but they gave the Vikings a big boost at the end of the first half against the Detroit Lions.
After getting stopped deep in their own territory, Vikings' punter Chris Kluwe blasted a punt that put Detroit back to their own 33-yard line, thanks to a great tackle by Marcus Sherels. After the Vikings held the Lions to another three-and-out, Sherels got in on the act again, returning the Detroit punt 53 yards. A face mask penalty on the Lions moved the ball all the way to the Detroit 13-yard line. Three plays later, Donovan McNabb picked up a bad John Sullivan snap, ran to the right, and came back to the left to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
The Ryan Longwell extra point put the Vikings ahead by a score of 20-0, meaning that they have outscored their opponents 54-7 in three first halves this season. Now, it remains to be seen if they can do the job in the second half.
At halftime, McNabb is 12/18 for 103 yards and a touchdown. Adrian Peterson has carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards and a score, and Percy Harvin has 67 total yards. . .two rushes for 41 yards and two receptions for 26 yards.
Going into the locker room at halftime, the Minnesota Vikings lead the Detroit Lions by a score of 20-0. Detroit will get possession to begin the second half of play.