The Minnesota Vikings needed to put some more distance between themselves and the Detroit Lions, and they did just that, courtesy of the best running back in the National Football League.
Minnesota started out on their own 25-yard line after forcing the Lions to punt, and they needed just two plays to go the distance. The Vikings gave the ball to Adrian Peterson on first down on a pitch to the left that gained 19 yards. After a five-yard penalty for delay of game on the Vikings, Peterson found the right side much more to his liking, as he got through a couple of tackles and streaked 61 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. Blair Walsh added the extra point, and the Vikings' lead is back to two scores at 31-17.
Peterson now has 21 carries for 143 yards on the afternoon, the fifth consecutive game that he has gone over the century mark.
The Vikings have just forced a Lions turnover, as Jamarca Sanford caused Calvin Johnson to cough one up and Antoine Winfield recovered it. The Vikings are now deep in Detroit territory again.
We have about seven minutes left at the Metrodome, and the Vikings lead the Lions 31-17 and are looking for more.