Lions get back on track with an explosive second half
After a stunning loss last week to the Redskins, the Detroit Lions got back on track Sunday inside the Silver Dome with a huge second half against the Minnesota Vikings to win 29-17.
Trailing 14-6 at halftime, the Lions’ offense exploded behind the running game of Barry Sanders and the passing attack of QB Scott Mitchell. The Lions rolled up 302 yards in the second half alone and scored three touchdowns.
Sanders, the leading rusher in the NFL, had 56 yards at halftime on the ground with a crucial fumble. In the second half, he rushed for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns. He finished the day with 145 yards on 23 carries. On the season, Sanders now has rushed for 1,573 yards and scored 13 TDs. He is on pace to blow away the single-season rushing record. He is on pace for 2,288 yards. Eric Dickerson rushed for 2,105 yards in 1984 and has the record.
Mitchell got hot in the second half as well. He threw for 210 yards in the second half and connected with Sanders on a 19-yard scoring strike. Along with his 145 rushing yards, Sanders caught three passes for 31 yards and a TD. WR Johnnie Morton caught nine passes for 129 yards.
On the defensive side, the Lions were dominated by DE Robert Porcher. He had another ½ of a sack on the day giving him 14.5 on the season, which is tops in the NFL. Porcher also tackled Vikings’ RB Robert Smith in the end zone for a safety.
As for the Vikings, their offense fizzled out in the second half. They accumulated 180 yards in the first half and two touchdowns. Chris Carter caught a one-yard pass from Brad Johnson, and Robert Smith plunged in from a yard out to give the Vikings a 17-6 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Vikings mustered up 78 total yards.
The Lions (8-3) have a firm grip on a Wildcard spot in the NFC. They will host the Indianapolis Colts next weekend in the Silver Dome before their Thanksgiving matchup with the Bears. The Vikings won 5 of their last 6 games before the loss in the Silver Dome. They are now 5-6 on the season and are outside looking in at a Wildcard spot. They will travel to New Jersey next weekend to face the Jets.